300 Jobs Lost at Gatwick Airport
15th May 2008
Aviance, who are one of the UK's biggest baggage handling firms, has had to make 308 full-time employees redundant from Gatwick Airport, claiming that they can no longer operate due to the punishing financial restrictions that govern UK airports.
Unite, which represents 80,000 workers in the aviation industry, has said that the loss of these jobs will “bring misery” to the aviation industry. Unite's National Secretary for civil aviation Steve Turner said of the losses: “These job losses are a huge shock and will bring misery to hundreds of workers, their families and the wider community. We will be doing everything in our power to mitigate the impact, including seeking ways to redeploy workers within other handlers.”
However, Mr Turner said the job losses should also act as a warning that “something is seriously wrong” with the financial regulations in UK airports. He said: “When a leading provider of baggage handling says its operation at the second largest airport in the country is no longer viable, then something has gone seriously wrong. Government and the aviation industry must take note and act. They have imposed a punishing financial regime on the industry, one that encourages attacks on costs and cuts in service.”
Aviance blamed the job cuts on “fundamental changes” in its business at Gatwick. They said: “A full review of the Gatwick (LGW) business was recently carried out, which demonstrated that the Aviance cost base and customer profile could not be sustained within the LGW business model.” However, they were keen to emphasise that these changes were “unique” to their Gatwick operations and would not be affecting their business at other airports. They said: “The circumstances which necessitate the closure are unique to LGW, and have arisen from changes there related to open skies, competitive pressures and changes to their customer profile.”
Aviance currently employ 5,000 people at a number of leading airports throughout the UK and Ireland. They employ people to help out with a variety of services, including ground handling, security, cargo and passenger services. The company has said that the 308 workers made redundant by their decision will receive help to find other jobs.
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