South Africa's airports operator, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has said that the two firms that it has appointed to manage the flying public's baggage would be subject to a "stringent service agreement", including punctual delivery and the reduction of baggage theft.

They would, among other things, be required to perform background checks on baggage handling staff that they employ, train them appropriately and not use casual labour, the company said in an emailed statement, dated Sunday.

The two companies that won the tender to manage Acsa's baggage handling requirements were international Scottish firm Menzies Aviation and Bidvest subsidiary BidAir, and would begin operating on March 1.

Dispute

Acsa had awarded the two contracts earlier this year, despite a dispute existing with the current baggage-handler Bedfordview-based Equity Aviation, which had believed its contract was valid until 2011.

"Equity chose not to be part of this process and took Acsa to court challenging the fact that their contract had lapsed. The matter was referred to a private arbitrator and a ruling in favour of Acsa was made in June 2007," Acsa stated.

"Equity Aviation appealed against the ruling, but lost in November 2007," it added.

Acsa indicated that its customers had not been satisfied with the levels of service they had been receiving.

"It is our firm belief that the flying public has for a long time being saying to us that they would like to see changes in the manner in which we operate, particularly when it comes to the management of baggage," it said.

‘Extremely concerned'

Acsa went on to express concern that Equity had not told its staff that they could soon be out of jobs.

"Acsa is extremely concerned that it appears that most of Equity staff were not aware that the company had lost the legal challenge against Acsa's decision to go out on tender," the firm said. "Acsa will soon be meeting with the labour representatives to brief them on this matter and the way forward."

However, the company said that it would invite tenders for a third licence operator in January 2008, and that Equity was welcome to participate.

"We hope that Equity Aviation will seize this opportunity and participate in the process," Acsa noted.

Temporary workers

One factor in the country's baggage handling business that had worried government, was the perceived high level of temporary workers, which it believed led to baggage pilfering.

"It is worth mentioning that about 75% of baggage handling personnel work on a temporary basis, or through labour brokers," Acsa highlighted. "This impacts directly on the level of service rendered and cannot be allowed to continue unabated."

The company added that if workers did lose their jobs through Equity not keeping its contract, they could apply for permanent jobs at the new licencees.

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