Airline Services (ASL), a new ground handling service provider at Gatwick, is to manage ground handling operations at the airport for Monarch Airlines.
The switch follows the airline putting its ground handling contract out to tender after difficulties with previous supplier Swissport over baggage handling service standards.
Monarch put Swissport on 120 days notice at Gatwick at the end of July having previously changed ground handling at Luton and Birmingham airports. It is to retain Swissport handling at Manchester airport.
The carrier’s head of procurement, Michael Whitfield, described the change to its ground handling at Gatwick as representing “our commitment to customer service”.
He said: “ASL has spent an extensive period of time working with Monarch to plan for a successful start to operations. We would like to thank ASL and the airport leadership for the significant contributions made in the planning phase.
“This move is part of our process of continuous improvement within the airline.
“We understand that ground handling has an important impact on our customers’ experiences and we are mindful that high service levels need to come as standard across Monarch – which includes any interactions our customers may have with third party suppliers.”
Since its foundation some twenty five years ago, Airline Services has established a significant airside presence across the UK with facilities at 11 of the UK’s major airports.
Nigel Daniel, managing director of ASL, which has facilities at 11 UK airports, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Monarch Airlines to provide ground handling services at Gatwick and are totally committed to providing excellent service for their customers.
“This is an important development both in our relationship with Monarch Airlines and for the extension of our business into full ground handling and we are committed to its success.”