The airline is axing jobs across most of its crew bases at Belfast International, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham.

A spokesperson said, “We are greatly distressed and deeply regret these redundancies that are entirely caused by the current situation.’’

Balpa, which represents the airline’s pilots, had put forward a range of options to save jobs, but said each one had been turned down.

Brian Strutton, Balpa general secretary, said: “This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector. Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies.
 
“This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year.”

The union called on the government to do more for the sector: “The government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry. 

“Its quarantine changes keep throwing every restart plan into chaos. If these quarantines are really needed, the government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its best to get back on track but keeps being knocked back at every juncture.”