Heathrow asks airlines to increase investment in ground handling services

Published
07/22/2022 20:58

The airport chief of staff London-Heathrow Nigel Milton has called on airlines to increase investment in ground handling services, as “the biggest problem is the shortage of personnel” of this type of workers.

In a statement, Milton has clarified that “highly qualified” people work in these services. “qualified women” who manage the majority of jobs in the airport -check-in, loading and unloading of luggage, entry and exit of planes-, but they do not work for the airport itself, but are usually independent companies contracted by the airlines.

In this sense, the head of Heathrow has criticized that airlines have cut costs over the years and this was one of the first they cut during the pandemic. “Across Europe more than 50% of ground workers have left the sector, becoming a constraint as demand has grown,” he added.

In the event that airlines invest in ground handling services, Milton stressed that they will be able to start focusing on rebuilding the British aviation sector, which “is a world leader”, and return to giving its passengers “the service they deserve”.

Limit of 100,00 daily passengers at Heathrow

A few weeks ago, London Heathrow Airport announced that its capacity will be limited to 100,000 daily passengers until September 11 and asked airlines not to sell more summer tickets to avoid delays, queues or last-minute cancellations.

The general manager of the airport, John Holland-Kaye, explained that the global aviation sector is recovering from the pandemic, but that “the legacy of Covid-19 continues to pose challenges” and admitted that there are some “critical” functions at the airport that are still under-resourced, particularly ground employees.