Whitehall officials have since been discussing potential alternatives with industry representatives.
A major option would have been to issue temporary visas to foreign workers to work in the aviation industry for a maximum of six months. Industry leaders hope that some will be able to transfer to a permanent visa at a later date.
A senior source said: “Aviation is also a seasonal industry and temporary visas would work very well to meet maximum demand.”
Another informant said: “It is inconceivable that government policy would allow EU staff to work as ballet dancers or fruit pickers in the UK, but not at our airports.
“This illogical approach to the labor shortage in the economy means that the government must take its fair share of responsibility for the current problems despite its best efforts to divert the blame exclusively from the airlines. “.
Summer visitors have suffered a series of cancellations with a widespread disruption observed at airports since the start of the Easter holidays.
Heads of airlines and airports have been accused of not preparing and hiring enough staff before the rush for holidays abroad this year. Industry figures argue that strict rules during the Covid pandemic, coupled with a lack of UK state aid, meant they were wary of committing too soon to a summer with no travel restrictions.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said earlier this month: “We will have pinch points at UK airports until the end of this summer until the children return to school in September.”
And Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye said last week that it would take up to 18 months for capacity to recover to pre-pandemic levels.