AMERICAN engineering giant GE Aviation has blamed the declining number of holidaymakers for a new round of job losses at its plant in Hamble.
The world’s biggest maker of aircraft engines said it would accept a maximum of 18 voluntary redundancies from its staff.
It cited the global economic downturn, which has seen passenger numbers shrink and airlines reduce fleets and defer maintenance costs.
The announcement comes just a week after it was awarded a contract by Airbus to design and build components for its next-generation passenger aircraft, the A350XWB.
In August, the firm revealed plans to shed 19 jobs at its factory in Kings Avenue – Hamble’s biggest employer with about 1,000 workers, as part of skills exchange programme.
However, it performed a U-turn within weeks after talks with local union officials.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article