Guernsey Airport - Media Statement on planned Industrial Action by Swissport UK
20th December 2016The following statement is issued today (20 December 2016) by Guernsey Airport in respect of planned industrial action by employees of Swissport UK on 23 and 24 December 2016
Introduction
Guernsey Airport has now undertaken an initial assessment on the likely impact on local flights, following reported planned industrial action by Swissport’s UK-based employees on 23 and 24 December 2016.
This update is provided for passenger’s information and follows discussions with Aurigny, Blue Islands and Flybe.
Background
It is reported that Swissport employees in the UK are likely to take industrial action on Friday and Saturday this week (23 and 24 December). Swissport deliver both aircraft and passenger handling activities at various UK airports for a number of different airlines.
Swissport does not have a presence in Guernsey, but it does at Jersey Airport.
The airlines servicing Guernsey Airport, specifically Aurigny, Blue Islands and Flybe have all confirmed that there is potential for impact on some (but by no means all) of their services – should the industrial action occur, however all are committed to finding operational solutions to overcome that disruption with the use of contingency plans.
Routes of Potential Impact
The routes which could be subject to disruption are:
Guernsey – Leeds Bradford (Aurigny)
Guernsey – Birmingham (flybe)
Guernsey – Bristol (Blue Islands/flybe franchise)
Guernsey – Southampton (Blue Islands / flybe franchise)
Guernsey – Jersey is unlikely to be impacted as it is understood the industrial action by employees of Swissport UK are likely to be limited to the UK mainland.
All airlines are committed to implementing contingency arrangements to lesson any adverse impact.
It is understood that further talks are underway in the UK to reduce the risk of industrial action.
All passengers should check in as normal and airlines will be doing their very best to implement contingency arrangements.