Brits could face Christmas travel CHAOS as baggage handling firm pulls out from airports
AVIATOR, a baggage handling firm, is pulling out from UK airports, meaning Brits travelling abroad for Christmas could face chaos.
Brits could face Christmas travel chaos as baggage firm quits UK airports
Scandinavian baggage handler firm Aviator has announced plans to close down its operations in the UK from November 30.
The company, which employs 1,700 staff across UK airports, provides key services such as getting passengers checking-in and de-icing aircraft.
Aviator said they wanted to focus their work in the Nordic countries.
Currently, the airport baggage handling firm provides services for various airlines at five airports: Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
Gatwick Airport could be the most affected by Aviator leaving
Airlines Aviator provides its services to include, Thomas Cook, SAS, Norwegian, Turkish Airlines, Monarch, Air Indian, American Airlines and United Airlines.
Union bosses have warned that passengers could face travel chaos at Christmas if airport owners and airlines find alternative baggage handling suppliers.
Unite trade union, earlier in the week called on airline to take on Aviator staff in order to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to travel.
Manchester Evening News reported that Aviator’s decisions to pull out of the UK was because of the “brutal” nature of the market in this country.
Aviator provides a baggage handling service for airlines
Airport owners and the airlines need to get their skates on to sort this out otherwise Christmas travel chaos is on the cards
Gatwick is likely to suffer the most as a result of the firm pulling out only a year after taking over the contract from Swissport.
Aviator provides around 1,200 jobs at the London airport and serves many major airlines including British Airways and Virgin.
Oliver Richardson, Unite national officer for civil air transport told Manchester Evening News: “Unite will be seeking assurances from the company, airlines, other handlers and ultimately, the airports that there will be no compulsory redundancies.
“It is a matter of serious concern for both our members and the travelling public that so close to Christmas most of the airlines have not announced where their baggage handling and check-in contracts are going.
“The airport owners and the airlines , which require these services for their planes to land and take-off efficiently, need to get their skates on to sort this out, without any detriment to the staff jobs, pay and conditions, otherwise Christmas travel chaos is on the cards.”
Airlines and airports are being urged to keep on the staff to minimise disruption
Aviator confirmed in a statement that they will be ending operations in the UK in November.
A spokesperson said: “Aviator has undertaken a strategic review of its business and as part of this review, and in conjunction with its key stakeholders, including airline customers, the airports at which it operates and the employee unions.
"Aviator will look to complete this exit in or around the end of November 2016 through the orderly transition of services to other providers or via airline in-sourcing to support the needs of our customers and their passengers”
The firm added that it will make further announcements in due course.