The company, which supplies ground services at the airport, claim that 'seasonal factors' coupled with the government's Open Skies policy, mean staff levels must be 'reduced accordingly'.

It is believed that three management positions, clerical positions and 61 manual workers all face losing their jobs by the end of October this year.

Many workers are yet to be informed of their fate, although UNITE the Union has been notified.

A spokesman for Servisair said: "Every year Servisair staffing levels are adjusted to match seasonal peaks and changing operational patterns.

"At Gatwick the company makes such adjustments each October after the peak holiday season and this year the high number of redundancies is due to some contract changes and airline volume reductions this winter."

Phil Silkstone, Unite Regional Industrial Officer, said: "There is a statutory 90 day consultation period and the union will be negotiating to substantially reduce the number of redundancies."

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