Gatwick workers facing jobs axe (From The Argus)

Gatwick workers facing jobs axe

10:07am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in Business News By Sam Thomson, Business Editor

Jobs are under threat at Gatwick.

The new owner of the airport has told 120 staff working in its planning and commercial departments to reapply for their jobs as part of a major overhaul of its management structure as it looks to compete with Heathrow and Stansted.

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which bought Gatwick from BAA in December for £1.5 billion, said it is expecting some redundancies but believes that many people affected will be kept on.

A spokesman for the airport said: “Gatwick is now a major independent airport company competing directly with UK and European airports for passengers and airlines.

The new management team is reviewing every area of the business to drive more efficient operations for airlines and a better experience for passengers at every step of the journey though Gatwick.

Restructuring “It is also reviewing the structure of the organisation to make sure we’ve got the best people with the right skills and expertise to enable us to succeed.

“Some restructuring has already been announced and consultation with those affected is ongoing.”

Gatwick is currently spending £100 million to expand its North Terminal to increase capacity from 16 million to 20 million passengers.

Stuart Wingate, who took over as chief executive from Andy Flower, told a national newspaper that the next priority is to improve check-in and security areas.

He said: “I hope by winter we will have created a single security area and are able to say to passengers that they get a good service.

“If passengers wait too long in check in and security they get irritated. That means when they get to the retail areas where we would like them to spend some money, they are less likely to do so. A smooth transition through check-in and security is important from an income and a service point of view.”

GIP, which also owns 75% of London City airport, is also overseeing a £53 million development of the train station at Gatwick. There had been worries that a £13 million shortfall would scupper the plans, due to be completed by the London Olympics in 2012.

But a spokesman for Gatwick told The Argus that the funding gap should be filled with contributions from the airport, Network Rail and the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The three parties are expected to formally agree the deal in the next few days, the spokesman added.