Almost 80% of operators reported a skills shortage in the GHI Skills Survey 2020, a 25% increase since the last survey was conducted in 2017.
A further 77% of the 100+ aviation business leaders surveyed said that they had suffered a lost time accident or near miss as a direct result of the dearth in personnel. At least one in ten flights is adversely affected because of ground handling skills shortages in more than 50% of operations, the survey found.
“There is a general lack of people with skills who are interested in working at the airport,” said one respondent.” Another added: “It’s very challenging to recruit and retain high quality staff as plenty of opportunities exist in adjacent industries that offer better pay and more family-friendly working hours.”
Ramp operatives and passenger check-in agents are the most problematic positions to fill, according to GHI’s Skills Survey. Poor pay was the named the top reason why employees in these roles quit. However, 43% of aviation leaders said that they felt current pay levels for ramp operative and check-in roles were commensurate with the responsibilities of the job.
Only half of ground handling respondents said that they had communicated their challenges with skills shortages during contract negotiations with airline customers. One manager commented: “It’s our responsibility to resolve the challenges faced and make the industry a more attractive alternative to other roles in and around the aerodrome.”
How are skills shortages affecting you? Email your comments to max@groundhandling.com
