Aviation employers should retain access to the Government’s Covid-19 temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS) “for as long as necessary,” on condition that they avoid redundancies, according to Fórsa.

In written evidence to the State’s newly-formed aviation recovery task force, the union said ongoing wage supports were essential to protect thousands of workers in airlines, airports and air navigation bases – and ultimately an estimated 150,000 jobs in tourism, hospitality services and aircraft maintenance, which depend on aviation.

The TWSS has been extended to the end of August, but recovery in air travel is expected to take many more months, if not years.

The Taskforce for Aviation Recovery was established by the Government at the beginning of March. Fórsa’s submission also called for tax and PRSI breaks for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), and the maintenance of Dublin airport charges at 2019 levels.

In a controversial decision last year, the Commission for Aviation Regulation, which sets airport charges, recommended that the cap on Dublin charges should be reduced over the next five years.

But with passenger numbers down 99%, the regulator has conceded that the assumptions underpinning is decision were no longer valid and that it would have to be reviewed.

Fórsa also called for the establishment of a Shannon-specific task force, charged with developing a new business strategy for the airport. The union also wants the Government to fund a ‘Shannon route development fund’ to help establish new routes and retain those under threat from other airports.

Its submission says the separation of Shannon from the DAA had failed, with 2019 passenger numbers down 8% before the pandemic struck. It said there was “no hope” of airport management’s 2.5 million passenger target being met under the current Shannon Group structure.

Last month Fórsa called on the Government to act swiftly to ensure that Ireland has an aviation industry when the health crisis is over.

The union, which represents workers in all Irish-based airlines, airports and airport authorities, said there was a danger that the sector would be so weakened over the coming months that it would be unrecognisable by the end of the year. It said regional airports were particularly vulnerable.

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