Air Traffic Control at Bournemouth Airport
THE Royal Mail is pulling out of Bournemouth Airport after more than 30 years, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.
In what is a blow to the airport’s operations at a time when it is trying to expand, the move puts a variety of jobs at risk in roles across the Hurn site, although the airport’s management said it was too early to say how many.
The Communication Workers’ Union said that 13 Royal Mail staff were affected.
Bosses at the airport, which is owned by Manchester Airports Group, confirmed to the Echo that there would be “some reduction in roles within Air Traffic Control and the airport’s fire service”.
It is currently in consultation with those potentially affected.
The Royal Mail said the decision had been taken because of increasing competition.
The move will mean a reduction in the airport’s hours of operation, with Royal Mail currently operating overnight, although airlines, the police helicopter and other operators at the business park will still be supported as they are now.
The airport said it could not reveal “commercially confidential information”, but confirmed that: “While this is a revenue loss to the airport, the majority of our income is generated through the passenger and ‘general aviation’ businesses, such as the flying schools and aviation engineering companies – and these areas are showing steady growth at present.”
Paul Knight, Bournemouth Airport MD, added: “We are obviously extremely disappointed to hear that, after more than 30 years, the Royal Mail operation at Bournemouth Airport will come to an end in December.
“We have looked into the implications of this decision very carefully and, unfortunately, we will have to make some changes to our operations to reflect the reduction in night operations. This is a very hard time for all concerned. We are working closely with our colleagues and the unions to ensure that everyone is given the highest possible level of support and advice.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail continually reviews its operation to improve the efficiency of its mail transportation network. This is against a background of increasing competition in the parcels market and a structural decline in letters.
“After a period of review, Royal Mail has decided to cease operation of its Bournemouth-East Midlands-Bournemouth flight and to replace it with mail transportation by road.
"This will impact a small number of Royal Mail roles. Our foremost priority will now be to ensure that those employees who wish to stay with Royal Mail are re-deployed within the business.
"Replacement of this flight will create a number of road transportation opportunities locally.”
Andy Rook, branch secretary for Bournemouth and Dorset at the Communication Workers’ Union, said it had fought the proposals, which he said would put more lorries on the roads.
But, he said, compulsory redundancies had been avoided, with Royal Mail staff taking voluntary redundancy or being transferred elsewhere.
“It’s become more apparent since privatisation that Royal Mail has been led by monetary concerns,” Andy added.
Bob Lanning, regional officer for the Unite union, said he would speakbe speaking with airport chiefs to establish the details of the proposed move and its likely effects.