The UK’s second busiest airport, London Gatwick, has announced it will be forced to cancel flights and reduce capacity due to a lack of staff in the industry. Gatwick announced on Friday that flights would be reduced from 900 a day to 825 a day in July and 850 in August. Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Airlines need to reduce their programs somewhat.” He added that this would mean that “everyone has more confidence. “They can at least have confidence in July and August that the flights will take place.” Airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and TUI now use a job gap that will allow them to hire EU crews for their flights without the need for staff to have a British work visa. Airlines will borrow aircraft registered in the EU under wet leasing agreements, which means they can circumvent post-Brexit immigration regulations to employ EU staff without a work visa for Britain, it said. A Twitter user commented on the EU gap, saying: “So this is fair? The British can not have freedom in the EU after BREXIT, but is it good to open up and let EU citizens in when they want? “This is completely unfair, the Tories have stuck to the British, the EU has won Brexit, but the British have been left with nothing.” READ MORE: Ukraine LIVE: Putin Activates ’50 Sleeping Agents’ in UK Attacks Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected the wet leasing process, saying it was doubtful the Home Office would change its rules for the industry, while others face the same issues. According to industry sources, British Airways used four Finnair aircraft and four Iberia aircraft instead of using any of the UK-listed parts in storage. A British Airways spokesman said: “In order to give our customers access to as many destinations as possible, our partner airlines are operating certain European flights for us as we continue to rebuild our operations.” Meanwhile, both TUI and EasyJet have leased eight planes from SmartLynx Airlines from Latvia and the two airlines declined to comment. DON’T MISS: Poll: Should puddles be given priority over bike lanes? (POLLS) Fatal flaw in Europe’s plan to save Ukraine revealed (INSIGHT) Kate and William’s latest move is a slap in the face for Megan and Harry (REVELATION) The airlines have acknowledged the use of wet leasing and said it is a common practice in the industry and does not violate UK immigration law. The industry bosses have asked the government to consider using temporary visas, usually given to seasonal workers, such as fruit pickers. In a call to the Ministry of Transport on Friday, the airlines warned that if immigration laws were not amended to address their personnel issues, more EU-registered aircraft would be used. More than 2.5 million passengers are believed to fly to and from the UK with the three airlines registered in the EU and staffed abroad.
