Portuguese airline group SATA has started formal consultations with worker representatives as part of plans to separate its ground handling operations into a new company.
In a statement, SATA Holding said it has entered a legally required consultation period with unions and staff bodies and has presented a plan to create a new business, to be called SATA Handling.
The group said the spin-off is expected to be finalised in March, once discussions with employees are completed.
SATA stressed that it will continue to meet with worker representatives throughout the process, promising full transparency and a willingness to provide clarifications and take account of employee feedback.
After the spin-off is completed, the company said it will begin planning the privatisation of SATA Handling, adding that this stage will also involve ongoing dialogue and shared information with staff.
The board of directors said it has taken note of concerns raised by unions, particularly around job security and how the process is being managed. It said a “structured social dialogue” will be maintained.
According to SATA, preparation for the separation of the ground handling business began around a year ago, following detailed internal work with management and operational teams involved in handling services.
