Talks to 'minimise job losses' at Flybe will begin following the announcement it plans to close the airline's airbase at Cardiff Airport.
Unite say they will begin talks next week after proposals to put some staff at risk of redundancy.
It is proposed that nearly 40 pilots and over 50 cabin crew will be put at risk of redundancy. These are linked to plans to close Cardiff and Doncaster airbases later this year.
It comes as Flybe announced cancellations at the airport, and at other airports across the UK blaming the Easter holidays and a "shortage of pilots" among several reasons for the disruptions.
Flybe confirmed routes using jets will be cut at Cardiff Airport but some other flights will continue to operate using smaller planes.
We are still working with the airport and our partners in Cardiff but what is for sure is we will stop jet operations. This is because we are decreasing the number of jets in our fleet. We've closed the base in Cardiff but we will still operate flights in Cardiff from other bases.
Christine Ourmières-Widener, Chief Executive Flybe Unite say their members are 'concerned about their jobs and future employment.'
Unite is seeking to minimise the potential job losses and secure assurances about Flybe’s long-term future.
Our members are justifiably concerned about their jobs and future employment, as a result of the company cancelling a number of flights for ‘operational reasons’ and having launched a redundancy programme.
It is essential that Flybe is fully transparent with its workforce about the exact situation facing the company. The current uncertainty is incredibly unsettling and is in danger of severely damaging morale at the company.
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Peter Coulson, Unite Regional Officer Reacting to the announcement, the Welsh Government blamed increased costs on regional airlines on the closure.
This will be very disappointing news for the Flybe staff who are set to lose their jobs and our thoughts are with them and their families. Cardiff Airport has gone from strength to strength since being purchased by Welsh Government in 2013, but this decision by the operator highlights the commercial pressures which regional airlines are under, including the increasing cost burdens such as Air Passenger Duty. Today’s news further strengthens our call on the UK Government to devolve APD in order to support the growth of regional airlines and regional connectivity. We will continue to work closely with the Airport to manage the situation and maximise future opportunities.
Welsh Government Spokesperson 