Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Manchester Airport Holdings (MAG) has announced different measures, including temporary layoffs, to decrease costs and preserve resources.

The airport group has announced that its airports have seen reduced passenger numbers due to the decrease in air travel demand.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The group has planned to introduce different measures, including forced yearly leave, decreased working hours, temporary layoffs and pay cuts.

A statement added that the group’s executive team will also take a pay cut and has stopped recruitment and capital expenditure.

MAG CEO Charlie Cornish said: “These are difficult decisions for MAG and they have not been taken lightly. We recognise the impact they will have on our people and we will be consulting with our colleagues.

“Our aim will always be to protect jobs wherever possible, and we need to take these steps now to ensure the company’s future.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“I am in no doubt that this outbreak is the greatest threat the UK’s travel sector has ever faced. Government needs to take decisive action now to make clear its total and unwavering support for airports, airlines and other travel companies.”

MAG oversees operations at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports.

Cornish added that the country’s aviation industry has supported the growth of the UK and offers important services to the economy and the regions requiring air connectivity.

He called on the government to implement decisive action to support airports, airlines and other aviation sector stakeholders.

He further added: “We will continue to monitor the situation and make further announcements on MAG’s operations as the Covid-19 situation develops.”

UK flag carrier British Airways has also planned to layoff staff and ground more aircraft as the pandemic continues to expand worldwide.

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airport Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
OPS1 by TADERA has won the 2025 Product Launch Award in the Safety and Efficiency category for transforming how airports manage operations and safety. Learn how this integrated, GIS driven platform simplifies inspections, maintenance, and SMS compliance while turning operational data into real time, actionable intelligence.

Discover the Impact