A GATWICK-based airline is holding talks to lay off staff as it cancels thousands of flights due to coronavirus.

Norwegian is planning to cancel 3,000 flights and implement temporary layoffs the company has announced.

The airline is the third largest airline at Gatwick, with 4.6 million yearly passengers, and 1,200 UK-based pilots and cabin crew.

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In a statement, the company said: “Due to the Covid-19 situation, Norwegian is preparing to cancel approximately 3000 flights between mid-March and mid-June.

"This represents approximately 15 percent of the total capacity for this period.

"The company has also put several other measures in place, including temporary layoffs of a significant share of its workforce.

"The past week, Norwegian has experienced reduced demand on future bookings.

"The company will cancel about 3000 flights to meet the change in demand.

"The cancellations represent approximately 15 percent of the total capacity for the period mid-March to mid-June.

"It will affect the entire network and more details will be shared as soon as they are ready to be implemented.

"Affected customers will receive information about these changes as soon as they take place."

CEO Jacob Schram said: “This is a critical time for the aviation industry, including us at Norwegian.

"We encourage the authorities to immediately implement measures to imminently reduce the financial burden on the airlines in order to protect crucial infrastructure and jobs.

“Unfortunately, cancellations will affect a significant share of our colleagues at Norwegian.

"We have initiated formal consultations with our unions regarding temporary layoffs for flying crew members as well as employees on the ground and in the offices.

"We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with unions and employees to work through this difficult situation together.”