GIBRALTAR The decision by Monarch Airlines to put back the flights between Gibraltar and Manchester that they had withdrawn in July 2006 is in line with the policy of the Opposition, it says, that our existing airport should be served by more destinations. It will be recalled that the route was withdrawn two years ago following a very public row between the airline and the Government, said a spokesperson for the Opposition.

While new airlines and routes are very welcome, the Opposition says it has received expressions of concern from persons employed in the tourism sector at the manner in which some of these changes are being brought into effect.

"The Opposition understand that a number of persons have been made redundant in Gibraltar as a result of the takeover of GB Airways by Easyjet. This includes a senior manager, two engineers and two reservations staff. Indeed, Easyjet have already made it clear that they will have no engineering staff based in Gibraltar and that they will come here from Malaga as and when needed.

"The news that Monarch is re-starting its flights to Manchester has overshadowed the fact that there will also be more redundancies in the industry locally as a consequence of a restructuring of the airline's arrangements for ground handling.

"The Opposition is seriously concerned at these developments which will clearly have a negative impact on the livelihood of a number of Gibraltarian families."

Commenting on the matter, Shadow Minister responsible for Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Joseph Garcia said:

"The Government must ensure that the manner in which these airlines operate does not prejudice the interests of persons who are currently employed in the industry. The Minister has argued that Easyjet and the Manchester route are the "positive results" which follow the introduction of what they call the "new business model for the airport". It follows that this "new business model", which is actually another name for a subsidy, should place the Government in a better position to exert some leverage on the airlines to ensure that local jobs are protected."