Jetstar criticises Transport Workers Union action
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Government & Regulation,
Jetstar
Action taken by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) on 30-Mar-09 that saw ground handling staff walk off and not handle both Jetstar and other international aircraft at Sydney Airport’s International terminal was without basis and adversely impacted international air travellers.
One Jetstar service (JQ Flight 143 Sydney-Christchurch) due to depart at 0900 remained at the International Terminal in Sydney awaiting ground handling personnel returning to work.
Jetstar international service (JQ Flight 20) Osaka-Gold Coast-Sydney was required to park off gate with passengers having to remain on board for an extended period awaiting disembarkation.
Further Jetstar international services departing later today to Phuket, Bali and Honolulu may also be affected as well as an arriving A330-200 service fromMelbourne.
Public statements by the TWU surrounding airport security and an apparent link to the supply by third parties of airport logistics and services to airlines such as Jetstar are simply without basis and are plainly false assertions.
The union inspired action this morning unnecessarily affected international travellers departing or arriving into Sydney Airport at a difficult time for the tourism industry and the TWU’s action has been about using its industrial leverage.
Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the airline failed to comprehend the rationale on which the TWU response was based.
Mr Buchanan said, “At Sydney Airport’s International Terminal Aero-Care has successfully tendered for the future supply of Jetstar’s Ramp and Passenger Handling services for both A330-200 and A320 services conducted from there.”
“The supply of airport services by accredited providers is a wide practice in the airline industry within both Jetstar and our competitors where these services are extensively used.
“For example Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue use Aero-Care at most Australian ports including Sydney Airport’s International Terminal as well as in Hobart and Launceston and Jetstar currently uses external providers at over 60 per cent of our Australian domestic ports. Most international airlines operating into Australia use third part providers for Ramp and Passenger Handling services.
“A pertinent fact is the same high security standards are in place for all organisations which operate and require airside access at domestic and international Airports around Australia.
“The multi-layered and high levels of security at our international and domestic airports, headed by the actions of the Australian Federal Police and supported by security staff provided by airport operators, is something to which our organisation has full confidence in.”
(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 30-Mar-09
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Jetstar criticises Transport Workers Union action 
