Airports operator BAA is cutting 230 managerial jobs at Gatwick.

It says the move will streamline the operation, cutting bureaucracy and encouraging front-line staff to make their own decisions.

Senior managers to line supervisors across the customer services department will be facing redundancy over the next 18 months.

Sean Cooper, customer services director, said: "It will improve the working environment for people. With so many layers of management it can be quite bureaucratic and stifling for people closest to the customer. It's difficult for them to be able to use their initiative. This will empower front-line teams."

BAA admitted it had fallen into the trap of too many chiefs and not enough indians.

Low-cost carriers such as easyJet have set the trend for flat-line management.

With less red tape, customer needs can be responded to much more quickly.

BAA chief executive Mike Clasper announced last year the airport operator was working on a significant programme to improve customer services.

In total, 700 jobs are to be cut from BAA's seven airports.

Mr Cooper said BAA Gatwick was the only airport to have declared the full extent of its changes, with Heathrow and Stansted taking a phased approach.

The airport operator said it had been in informal talks with unions over the past eight months about how to best bring about the reforms. Mr Cooper said an employment security agreement had been drawn up with a severance package for those wanting to leave the company.

Others could apply for a new role and if unsuccessful would be demoted to the frontline.

All Gatwick employees have been told of the changes. Mr Cooper said: "It's a personal choice. Older people may not want to stay on but for people with young children and a mortgage, I think they will move to the frontline."

The company was trying to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Thursday, March 9, 2006