In line with a commitment to complete a 22-point plan for tackling aviation disruption, the UK Government has outlined 10 areas aviation should focus on to ensure airport ground operations get back to full capacity to avoid the travel upheaval seen last June.
The report finds that staffing shortage were a major factor in last summer’s disruption, with ground handlers struggling to recruit enough staff in time for the peak travel season after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and facing issues with onboarding processes.
Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, said: “The misery passengers faced last year when their flights were severely delayed or cancelled at the last minute was simply unacceptable.
“We’ve made it clear that improvements can and must be made, so the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are working closely with the industry to build a resilient ground handler market for years to come.”
To assist the industry, the government has proposed further exploration of how to improve how ground handlers’ performance is measured and monitored, as well as better engagement between ground handlers and the government, including through the new Aviation Services UK trade association. The government is also offering ongoing support through its flagship Generation Aviation programme for recruitment, retention, upskilling and outreach and is establishing a series of working groups involving airports, airlines and ground handlers to address areas including airport ID processes and performance standards.
The government underlines that while the aviation industry operates in the private sector and is responsible for managing demand and resourcing, passengers should have confidence the government is doing everything it can to help ahead of this summer season. Baroness Vere noted the importance of both the private sector and government collaborating on this.
