TAP gives workers guarantees to proceed with 'self-handling' and compromises South's operation
TAP may move to self-handling if the Spanish consortium Clece/South remains the winner of the international tender for ground handling licenses at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. This assurance was given to workers of Menzies/SPdH, the current operator, which placed second in the tender managed by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). TAP is the main client for Menzies, and if the airline decides not to contract with the Spanish consortium, South's operation could be compromised due to a lack of staff, as TAP would likely absorb the majority of the existing workforce. Meanwhile, Menzies has filed an injunction in court to challenge the tender, and unions are threatening to contest the process, citing concerns over job security and the legality of the criteria set by the regulator.
