More than 10,000 jobs have been lost in Sussex since the atrocities in America on September 11.

They are mostly in the aircraft industry in or near Gatwick but the effect is now reaching other sectors too.

This is one of the biggest setbacks in its history for Gatwick, which has been growing steadily during the past 50 years.

It has become the biggest employer and the most important hub of industry in the whole of Sussex.

Fortunately, many of the people who have lost their jobs have been able to find other posts.

The Sussex economy is generally booming and unemployment in the Gatwick and Crawley area is among the lowest in the UK.

Some of the job losses would have happened without the terrorist attacks as there was overcapacity in the airline industry.

Everyone at Gatwick must hope that understandable nervousness about air travel disappears.

It is still much safer to fly than to travel by car on the motorways leading to the airport.

Businesses at Gatwick should hold their nerve and count the downturn of the last two months as a temporary setback rather than a permanent feature.

If they talk their way into a recession, this will cause unnecessary misery and be a minor victory for the terrorists.