Belfast International Airport has announced 45 job losses due to fears the airline industry may not fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic for the foreseeable future.
Airport managing director Graham Keddie said the decision was taken with ‘deep regret and sadness.’
And he said air travel may not revert to pre-COVID-19 levels for a few years.
A consultation will begin with employees in relation to voluntary redundancies.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on both airlines and airports and the recent announcement by the UK Government about imposing quarantine on arrivals will only exacerbate this further,” he said.
Mr Keddie said the airport had continued to be operational during the outbreak.
“This has been for emergency medical flights and supplies as well as to accommodate Royal Mail deliveries, military flights and other essential cargo.
“Keeping the airport fully operational is costing £60,000 a day and we cannot continue to operate at this level.
“As we move to reopen for passenger flights in the coming days we regret that we have to make this announcement. We know it will take time for air travel to recover and this is a measure of last resort.”
The UK Government has announced all arrivals in the UK must quarantine for a two-week period from June 8.