THE SNP has blamed the UK Government for causing travel chaos by failing to plug the Brexit labour shortage.
Travel expert Simon Calder has said the travel chaos at airports such as Glasgow and Edinburgh is largely due to the significant staff shortages that were created when many Europeans left the UK - and its aviation industry - after the UK left the EU.
Yet just days ago the UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected a request by the aviation industry to allow them to recruit workers from overseas and blamed the sector for the current issues.
This week, travel experts issued fresh warnings that the chaos could last up to 18 months.
SNP MP Gavin Newlands, the party's transport spokesperson at Westminster, said the only way to protect Scotland's travel industry is through gaining independence.
He said: “It is the height of arrogance for the UK Tory Government to blame the aviation industry for issues it largely caused with its disastrous Brexit deal and issues which they were warned about.
“Unions said in January that this would happen and the SNP has been warning of this exact scenario for more than two years, but the UK Government refused to listen.
“The UK Government has had multiple opportunities to take action to plug the labour shortages it created and it has refused to do so at every turn, with the rejection of the aviation industry’s request to grant special immigration visas for overseas workers being the latest in a long list.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the AUOB Dumfries independence rally
“It is clear the Westminster Government won’t take the action needed to support our vital travel industry.
"Independence is the only route back to the EU and vital labour for Scotland, and the only way to protect our travel industry.”
As many people head abroad for the first time since the pandemic, airports across the UK have seen significant delays to check-in and baggage reclaim areas.
Edinburgh Airport issued a warning to passengers last week about longer than normal queues at security but has this week reported it is "flowing well".
On Twitter, Edinburgh Airport said on Friday morning: "As of a few minutes ago, the time to get through security from first joining the queue was 1-20 minutes.
"Security is flowing well, but please remember to prepare in advance."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel