A gigante americana United Airlines divulgou que irá criar uma subsidiária para cuidar dos serviços de Ground Handling em aeroportos menores. Atualmente as funções de rampa e de transporte de bagagens são realizadas por parceiros contratados. Segundo divulgado pela companhia, o nome da subsidiária será United Ground Express, e ela entrará em atividades nos próximos meses em alguns aeroportos selecionadores.
“Nós vimos a oportunidade de assimilar as operações de Ground Handling em locais menores que historicamente sempre foram realizadas por empresas contratadas”, disse Charles Hobart, responsável pelas relações públicas do grupo norte americano.
De acordo com Hobart esta ação irá ajudar a United a continuar competitiva em mercados de menor expressão e a padronizar a experiência dos passageiros em todos os aeroportos operados pela aérea. Hobart não divulgou qual será o ganho financeiro da empresa com esta nova estratégia.
Os funcionários da United Ground Express serão separados da United Airlines, mas, segundo Hobart, haverão oportunidades para os que eles passam mover para outras atividades dentro do grupo.
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United Airlines said Monday that it will create a subsidiary to handle customer service and behind-the-scenes functions at smaller airports it serves with United Express regional jet service.
Currently, those functions, including gate agents, ramp workers, baggage and cargo handling, are outsourced to other companies. The new wholly owned subsidiary, called United Ground Express, will begin service this fall at select airports, including its new service from Kalamazoo, Mich., beginning Dec. 9.
“We saw an opportunity to provide ground handling in smaller locations that have historically been outsourced with a separate entity,” said United spokesman Charles Hobart.
The move is similar to ones made by United’s competitors, including American and Delta. Hobart said the move will help United “remain competitive” in those smaller markets. It also helps United align the passenger experience at smaller airports with that at bigger airports served by United employees.
He said he had no information on how much money the move might save United. While United Ground Express employees will be separate from United, there could be opportunity for workers at the new subsidiary to advance to work at a United hub, for example, Hobart said.
The new name is consistent with United’s regional jet service, which is operated by other companies, called United Express.
Fonte: Chicago Tribune
Tradução: ABESATA
