Airline Services Handling makes it a hat trick with Turkish Airlines win

Tuesday 14th July 2015

Airline Services Handling, part of the Airline Services Group, has taken over the ground and passenger handling for Turkish Airlines effective 1st July the company announced today.  It will support the flag carrier's four daily flights from Gatwick South Terminal to Istanbul International Airport, its busy hub airport.  The contract is for an initial three years.

The win comes hard on the heels of its recent contract supporting Germania, also operating from Gatwick's South Terminal to Erfurt-Weimar and Pristina, and Monarch Airlines which the company has supported since launching its ground handling business on 2nd November 2014.

"We are delighted to take on the handling of Turkish Airlines and proud of our performance in attracting three prestigious airline customers within seven months of starting our ground handling business", said Airline Services Handling Managing Director, Nigel Daniel. "We are a relative newcomer to 'full ground handling' but have been active airside with our ramp activity including de-icing and aircraft presentation for nearly 30 years. Our expertise extends to a range of ramp services along with aircraft presentation - including external washing, cabin laundry, dry cleaning and carpet manufacture and fitting".

General Manager of Gatwick for Turkish Airlines, Osman Battal, said: "At Turkish Airlines, offering exceptional services both on the ground and in the air, is of the utmost importance. We are therefore pleased to announce that our ground and handling services contract has been awarded to Airline Services Handling. Gatwick is a key hub for Turkish Airlines and as we continue to expand and grow our network, this partnership will ensure that the high standards expected from our customers are continually exceeded. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Airline Services Handling."

Airline Services Handling is now supporting circa 250 employees in ground handling, up from 170 at year end, out of a total staff of 350 at Gatwick where the company now provides full aircraft handling to some 8000 aircraft departures per annum.

In March this year Airline Services Ltd restructured the Manchester UK headquartered business under three new distinct divisions - Airline Services Interiors, Components and Handling under the ultimate leadership of CEO, Mike Humphreys.   Airline Services employs a total of 1000 staff based at 11 airports across the UK.