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Global handling firm, Swissport, is to axe up to ninety jobs at London Stansted, as part of a plan to cull 300 positions throughout the UK. The cuts are likely to be made in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The Swiss company, whose slogan contains the words, “from landing to takeoff, we care!” has already given thirty-nine people the sack. A further fifty-one employees are at risk of unemployment.

In late October, Swissport failed to reach an agreement with Britain’s General Union (GMB) to prevent the redundancies going ahead. The handling firm also unveiled a controversial change to its shift system, whereby all existing employees could be forced to work six days a week. GMB branded the new system, “unworkable,” warning of extensive disruption over the festive period.

Customer service personnel, as well as baggage handlers and apron staff, are thought to be the worst affected by the cull. Swissport has encouraged its workers to volunteer for redundancy, but so far, only fifteen people have stepped up to the chopping block.

Swissport continues to deny that the advent of robotic and automated airport security has contributed to the company’s financial woes. Online check-in facilities, as operated by budget airline, Ryanair, have streamlined airport operations, removing the need for queuing and bickering inside the terminal, but hundreds of security jobs are being lost as a result.

A spokesperson for the British Airports Authority, the current owners of Stansted Airport, was equally concerned about the welfare of check-in staff:

“The airlines are getting into the situation where there’s no need for check-in agents and they don’t need as many staff. Many passengers just print off their own boarding cards now.”

Stansted will continue to operate as normal throughout the Christmas and New Year period.