Ground Handling Provider AAS Employees Go on Strike at Zurich Airport

Employees of Airline Assistance Switzerland (AAS), a ground handling provider at Zurich Airport, went on strike today at 2:00 p.m. The strike affected flights operated by Eurowings, Chair, LOT, Pegasus, Air Serbia, GP Aviation, Air Cairo, and Air Montenegro.

Airport management stated that most flights would be handled by other service providers, and only a limited number of cancellations were expected. AAS was scheduled to serve around 2,000 passengers today, covering 35 of the airport’s total 750 flight movements.

The company is under economic pressure due to the loss of a major client and the expiration of a license. As a result, the possibility of mass layoffs involving 220 employees in Zurich has emerged, and a consultation process has begun. The VPOD union proposed a social plan, but since AAS management rejected negotiations, the union called the strike.

In a statement, AAS emphasized that bankruptcy or insolvency was not an issue and that salaries had been paid. The company added that employee proposals were being reviewed and that, once the process is completed, the union’s social plan could be considered if necessary. AAS also expressed “surprise” at the strike decision.