The ground handling community has called on governments around the world to provide the same kind of financial relief that is being made available to other aviation stakeholders.
A spokesman for the sector said that the Trump Administration’s $58-billion dedicated aviation relief fund under the CARE Act last week was a shining example. The deal makes provision for airline contractors (ground handlers) and cargo operators alongside passenger airlines.
“This is watershed moment for ground handlers and others who’ve earned their rightful berth in the first team - but the US aviation relief package must now become the template for governments across the world,” said a spokesman for the sector.
“Imagine the scene. A hastily converted A330 packed with desperately needed ventilators for coronavirus patients touches down and taxis into the parking bay. If the ground handling staff has been furloughed or laid off the ventilators will remain incarcerated in the cargo hold along with the face masks and other critical medical aid.”
A joint letter from Swissport, dnata, Menzies, WFS was sent to the UK government last week warning that airports could grind to a halt for four months if these companies and others didn’t receive comprehensive fiscal aid.
