INACTION from Tory ministers has contributed to the “predictable and preventable” flight cancellations affecting airports nationwide, an aviation boss charged today.

Menzies Aviation chief executive Philipp Joeinig said industry requests for government help to minimise staff shortages fuelled by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic have been ignored. 

The sector is suffering major disruption as a surge in demand for travel has coincided with significant shortages of airline crew, ground handlers, airport security staff and air traffic controllers. 

Mr Joeinig said that former chancellor Rishi Sunak was lobbied for targeted aid last year, while Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was asked to provide practical action, but none came. 

He told the Times newspaper: “The aviation sector lobbied the government to provide sector-specific aid to retain its skilled security-cleared staff — this was not forthcoming.”

Transport union TSSA head Manuel Cortes said that Mr Shapps, who has entered the Tory leadership race, “couldn’t run a bath.”

He told the Morning Star: “It’s beyond belief that he thinks he’s up to the job: Tory arrogance knows no bounds.”

A government spokeswoman claimed it is “false to claim there has been inaction” from Whitehall, pointing to its 22-point plan to address the disruption.