AeroGround has responded to allegations from Air Berlin (1991) (Berlin Tegel) that its ground handling operations have been unprofessional, saying that delays at Berlin Tegel airport have been the fault of the airline. AeroGround has informed Air Berlin in writing that it is free to end its contract, allowing the airline to return to services provided by competitor Wisag, reports Tagesspiegel.
As previously reported, Air Berlin has been experiencing ground handling problems at Berlin Tegel after switching to AeroGround. The airline claims this was due to staff shortages and outdated equipment used by the ground handling company.
Last week, Air Berlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann told Rheinische Post that while AeroGround employees had his utmost respect, "it was unbearable how unprofessionally AeroGround was organised and managed".
As a result of extensive delays in the first half of 2017, Air Berlin is set to pay back more than EUR10 million (USD11.4 million) in compensation, which it says it will try to recover from AeroGround's parent, Munich Airport.
But Munich Airport has hit back saying it is "not the sole culprit" for Air Berlin's troubles. The airport claims that the airline did not provide aircraft information for flights in January and February, which did not allow AeroGround enough time to plan properly. It also says that Air Berlin allowed just a 30-minute window for transfers at Tegel, although the minimum required is 45 minutes.
AeroGround now says that it is willing to end its contract with Air Berlin, however the airline is unimpressed by this suggestion.
"For us it is completely incomprehensible why a service provider wants to throw the towel in a seven-year partnership after a few months," said Air Berlin spokesman Ralf Kunkel.
