Hundreds of jobs at risk as ground handler AAS loses Vienna contract

Ground handler Airline Assistance Switzerland (AAS) has registered its entire workforce at Vienna Airport with the early-warning system of the Austrian labour market service, a step that comes before potential layoffs. Several hundred employees are affected. The report comes from the Austrian outlet Austrian Wings.

The registration follows a change in ground handling contracts at the airport. AAS is set to lose its operations there at the end of October. The work will then pass to Joint Sky Services, a company based in Eisenstadt.

So far, Joint Sky Services has made no binding commitment to take over AAS staff, according to the report. In July, the company said only that any transfer of employees would depend on whether it wins the relevant contracts. Meanwhile, Joint Sky Services is already advertising for new staff of its own.

No details have been given on the exact number of roles affected, or on a timeline for resolving the staffing situation before the handover takes place.