Swissport is planning to close down its ground handling operation at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) resulting in the laying off of over 800 staff, according to a report.
The LA Business Journal, cites a letter sent by the ground handler to California’s Employment Development Department details the closing of the operation, which will take effect on September 21.
The report noted that Frank Mena, chief operating officer of ground handling for Swissport USA, stated the company “decided to terminate its ground handling and transportation activities at LAX as part of a strategic review of the profitability of our global business portfolio”.
Swissport will reportedly continue to build its air cargo handling and fueling operations at the Californian airport, but ground handling will not be part of that operation any longer.
“We are working with our employees, and in close cooperation with our customers, to ensure an orderly close-down of these operations”.
“We are focused on providing our employees with support to transition to the new business partners of our clients and ensuring stable service delivery for our customers,” the Swissport officer is reported saying.
