ERDINGTON, England—Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd. has begun discussions with trade unions regarding cuts at the Birmingham, England, facility. As many as 200 jobs could be eliminated.
The proposed cuts represent just under half of DATL's total payroll of 450 staff.
Declining aircraft tire demand is forcing DATL's hand, the company said. It is the direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the aviation industry, which has seen flights grounded due to travel restrictions and passenger reluctance.
"We're incredibly disappointed to see proposed job cuts at Dunlop," GMB Union Organizer Rebecca Mitchell in a statement.
According to Mitchell, "emergency talks" with company officials likely will focus on how to best respond to the planned redundancies.
A 45-day consultation process is under way with staff and trade unions.