AVIATION IN THE BALANCE We take a hard look at the current situation in aviation State of affairs By Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary READ MORE Executive Presidents welcome he aviation industry has weathered many storms, but never anything quite like the crisis were currently facing. It seems like a lifetime ago, but at the start of this year aviation was looking forward to continued boom times: 5% per annum growth for the foreseeable future was predicted. All that optimism drained away very slowly at first, but then as a deluge and UK aviation has, in very large part, gone into complete hibernation since the start of April. Not surprisingly, airlines have reacted in the short term, and BALPA has reacted with them. As the prospect of pilots being laid off was becoming clear, we negotiated packages to maintain as much of earnings as possible. This was more successful in some airlines than others. Pilots employed by agencies have been particularly hard hit, as those agencies had no cash reserves to fall back on a reminder of the precarious nature of some employment practices in this industry. The governments Job Retention Scheme has helped significantly, and the temporary, short-term deals that BALPA made to mitigate the worst effects of the grounding of aviation was a sensible approach. However, even more concerning is the longer-term outlook for aviation. The IATA predictions are that global recovery will take several years, and many UK airlines believe their recovery will be slower than some global markets. As a result, UK airlines are proposing long-term reductions in operations and, hence, in the number of pilots required. They are also aiming to cut costs, which means overheads and terms and conditions. What we are seeing in several airlines is a deliberate exaggeration of the problem to create a cynical justification for cuts, and an excuse to restructure and reform a point I have made repeatedly and forcefully in the media and before the Transport Select Committee recently. I believe that UK aviation will be back to 2019 levels within two years, so airlines should be negotiating coping strategies with us for that temporary period, not making permanent reductions in terms and conditions. Some airlines, however, face a genuine precipice, and BALPA Company Councils are having to make incredibly hard choices to try to protect jobs. This is the harsh reality of this crisis in aviation but we know the difference between the airlines who are exploiting this crisis and those in genuine jeopardy. Help needed So much for the airlines themselves, but what is the government doing to help this industry survive? I have publicly called out the government for wringing its hands and standing idly by. We have heard promise after promise of bespoke support for the aviation industry, but none has been forthcoming. Not only that, but the government has actively made matters worse by blatantly Brian Strutton gives evidence to the undermining aviation. Remember the Health Transport Select Committee Secretary, Matt Hancock, announcing that big, lavish international holidays were not likely to be possible? And the PM announcing UK quarantine measures just as airlines were about to restart? At this point, Im reduced to begging ministers to shut their mouths to do no further damage to this industry. Incidentally, while our industry and everyone in it suffers, there appears to be limitless free cash for rail, bus and road transport. There are naysayers aplenty, but the truth is that the UK needs a vital aviation industry. The British air transport sector has been a huge success story over the past 30 years. It has Snapshot: Brian Strutton talking to the Transport Select Committee powered our economic strength and it will power our economic recovery from this pandemic. We will need our international connectivity to be open and free-flowing to support commerce. We need our regional and domestic connectivity to support the regions and nations of the UK. We need our airlines to be ready to take us off on the holidays that everyone is looking forward to so much. Our rotary sector must continue to provide essential rescue and offshore services and we need our cargo carriers to continue being a lifeline for our island nations supplies. So often it seems that BALPA is the only organisation speaking up for this industry, representing pilots in every corner of it. If only the government would listen. At the time of writing, we are in serious negotiations with a number of airlines through our Company Councils, fighting to save jobs under threat and protect terms and conditions as best as we possibly can. Your elected reps in the Company Councils in every section of BALPA are under tremendous pressure and are doing their very best on your behalf, as are the BALPA staff involved in these difficult negotiations. At the start of the pandemic, I said we didnt know what the future might hold, but that being in a union meant not having to face uncertainty alone. We know more about what is in store for this industry now and, in the short term, it is not bright. I am convinced that we will emerge from this crisis with a strong aviation industry in the UK and that message is still resolutely true. Whether in good times or bad, BALPA is here to support you. We cannot make the coronavirus crisis disappear, or wish away the effect it is having on our industry, but we can stand with our members, support you, fight for every job and for your terms and conditions. And, together, we will see happier times for this industry. Im reduced to begging ministers to shut their mouths to do no further damage to this industry READ MORE Executive Presidents welcome We could be forgiven for thinking the world is falling apart or at least our world. Now we find ourselves enveloped in a pandemic and whatever new normal emerges from its aftermath. This is industrychanging territory. There are painful months to come. The industry will contract temporarily, and some operators have taken advantage of the crisis, with opportunistic land grabs on terms and conditions. This is not a scenario that we, the pilot community, will or should forget. As an Association, we will do our best to help redeploy crew who have been affected. This isnt an easy task, and we have put considerable resources into that area. In the longer term, we will take steps to recoup every inch of the lost ground on terms and conditions. Some of these contracts have taken decades to refine. Our collective strength and tenacity will be the driving force. For now, however, our focus should be on our community. The threat of job losses piled on top of already difficult circumstances can generate a significant amount of stress. This may manifest itself in anger, depression and erratic behaviour. Look out for each other we are the BALPA community. In the longer term, we will adapt and rebuild. Air travel may look different, but well help to shape that evolution. This is a time when our members need us most. We are ready to help in any way we can. This issue is largely dedicated to the events surrounding us at present. I hope you find it useful. Safe flying, Paul Naylor, BALPA NEC Executive President and easyJet captain