CONCERNS have been raised following the announcement that Southampton Airport is fighting for its future.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith described the situation at the airport as a "hugely worrying time" after Flybe fell into administration last week, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk.

But the MP added that he hoped the airport can "grow and thrive" when other operators take over from Flybe.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, airport managing director Neil Garwood has now written to staff and explained that the future shape and structure of the company will be different to what it is now.

Royston Smith said: "This is a hugely worrying time for staff at the airport and indeed those who depend on successful airport operations for their employment and my first priority is to them and their welfare.

"I am however confident the airport is doing all it can to make any changes required as sensitively as possible and I hope that the routes vacated by the demise of Flybe will soon be taken over by other operators and the airport can continue to grow and thrive."

Mr Garwood said the collapse of Flybe and coronavirus have caused serious problems for the airport.

The letter to staff says: “You don’t need me to tell you that the world has changed completely for us following the sad demise of Flybe last week.

"Whilst we have some welcome news of backfill coming through, this will unfortunately not be sufficient to prevent significant restructuring across every organisation involved with the airport, including our own.

“Our priority is to keep the airport open, and we just cannot withstand such huge change without making changes in response.

"Our passenger numbers, including the backfill we have secured so far, are now around half what they were forecast to be for 2020; and, crucially for our profitability, in the current market airlines are in a position to pay us far less to operate than we’ve seen historically.

“It is so significant across the AGS group that our financial position is very threatened. The future shape and structure of our company will be very different to what it is now, in order to ensure the airport survives.”

It comes just a week after Flybe, which accounted for 95 per cent of flights at the airport, announced its administration

However, despite the imminent restructure, airport bosses ensure that this does not "in any way” affect the runway extension plans.