Baggage handler Aviator pulls out of UK airports including Gatwick
Scandinavian baggage handler Aviator is preparing to close its UK operations, spanning Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle airports, ahead of Christmas.
The move by Aviator, which is understood to be ending its contracts for financial reasons, is set for the end of November and would leave the four airports short of around 1,700 staff. It is understood the company aims to navigate the process ahead of the busy festive period.
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Workers' union Unite has called on the baggage handling firm, airports and airlines, to ensure "continuity of check-in, refuelling and barrage handling services".
Unite national officer Oliver Richardson, said: "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 our, without any detriment to the staff jobs, pay and conditions – otherwise Christmas chaos is on the cards."
While four airports will be affected, Gatwick is likely to suffer the most as Aviator provides about 1,200 staff for the London airport, servicing a number of airlines, including British Airways and Virgin.
There are 196 Aviator employees at Birmingham, 192 at Manchester and 145 at Newcastle.
The union wants more clarity over the employees' futures, to know if they will be taken on by other companies "as a matter of urgency".
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An Aviator spokesman said the firm "completely understands the desire for more clarity on plans".
"We're in discussions with a large number of stakeholders including airlines to ensure that this process is orderly and well-managed."
The company is consulting with employees and their representatives and said it would provide further information as and when it has it.