Aviance axes Gatwick operation

Airport ground handling firm Aviance is closing its Gatwick operation with the loss of over 300 jobs.

The firm blamed the move on "fundamental changes" in its Gatwick business, including the open skies aviation deal with the United States aimed at liberalising transatlantic air travel.

It 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.

"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 said the 308 workers affected by the decision will receive help to find other jobs.

The company employs 5,000 people at leading airports in the UK and Ireland across a variety of services including ground handling, security, cargo and passenger.

Mick Rix, the national officer of the GMB union, said: "This announcement will not only bring despair and upset to a loyal, experienced and safe workforce, but to the UK aviation industry as a whole.

"GMB members will feel saddened and shocked that their loyalty and hard work is being undercut in a company they helped create by foreign competition creating previously profitable and stable employment opportunities into loss making and unprofitable services.

"The GMB calls upon the Government to do what they say, and help create stable British employment opportunities that can provide quality passenger services and ensure minimum standards apply across this sector. The aviation industry must halt the decline and stop the race to the bottom."

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