Ground_Support_October_2020 - 22

INTERNATIONAL

organizations are encountering totally
new problems and issues that no one has
experienced before. Consequently, it is a
constant learning period as to how to act.
Of course, for all involved the number one
priority remains safety and following the
latest advice provided," she says.
BGS has adhered to the recommendations or requirements published by the
governing body in every country where it
is operating.
"Whether it is social distancing or mandatory use of masks, we are supporting recommendations and communicating with
our operatives to ensure smooth and safe
operations," adds Gumuliauskas.

Prevention of Staff Layoff
Erkelens highlights the EU has taken measures to avoid, to the extent possible, laying
off workers in the ground handling sector.
"In some Eastern European airports, the
number of suppliers of ground handling
services is limited by law - as allowed by
the EU Ground Handling Directive and
conforming to the local implementation.
In that case, suppliers are selected for a
maximum period of seven years," she says.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, as
handlers may have difficulties obtaining
financing, the EU - with a Regulation of
May 25, 2020 (2020/696) - has extended
that maximum period. Contracts of, or
authorizations granted to, selected suppliers that expire in the period from May 28,
2020 until Dec. 31, 2021 may be prolonged,
until Dec. 31, 2022.
"The new regulation points out that this
extension of authorizations should aim to

22 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE

preserve jobs and workers' rights. It refers
to the need for financial reconstruction
with a plan which aims to prevent layoffs
and with guarantees that financial reconstruction will not be detrimental to the
workers.
Furthermore, in airports where the
number of suppliers is limited, suppliers
might cease to provide their services at a
given airport before a new supplier can be
selected with the normal tender procedure,"
says Erkelens, citing a case of bankruptcy
as an example.
Regulation 2020/696 allows the airport
managing body to then choose a ground
handling service provider directly to
provide the services without holding the
normally required tender procedure, for a
maximum period of six months or for a
period until Dec. 31, 2020, whichever is
the longer.
"The commission may further extend
these periods where it finds 'that the reduction in the level of air traffic, as compared
to the level in the corresponding period in
2019, is persisting and is likely to persist,
that this situation is the result of the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that it
results in interruption of supply of ground
handling services or difficulties in access
to financing for suppliers,'" says Erkelens.

Coping with Reduced
Resources
Ground handling service providers have
needed to cope with reduced resources
because of the reduced business.
"Due to significant impact to BGS operations, we had to downsize our workforce
and currently the company is operating at
a minimal optimal capacity. We do expect a
recovery to some degree in the future, thus we
are employing more employees than needed,
as there is no possibility of sourcing experienced and trained professionals quickly," says
Gumuliauskas.
Erkelens observes that while it is difficult
for a number of ground handlers, on the other
hand the staff of the ground handlers is often
working with flexible hours and part-time.
"It often concerns younger people usually showing some readiness to adapt to new
situations. Unions are usually strong and of
course follow up closely on the situation,"
she says.
The way handlers are coping with reduced
resources largely depends on the structure
of the ground handling company and the
working models.
"There are also national regulations which
support reduced businesses in view of taking over the payment or support with special
payments," concludes Barriga.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mario Pierobon is a safety management consultant and content producer. He
currently is working on a research project investigating aircraft ground handling
safety. You may reach him at marioprbn@gmail.com.

OCTOBER 2020

Ground_Support_October_2020

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