Ground Handling Operatives
| Contract Type: | Permanent |
| Hours: | 40 hours per week |
| Remuneration: | Starting salary £25,729.10 per annum |
| Closing Date: | 17/12/2025 |
- Job Description
- Application Notes
Job Description
Owned by the Scottish Government, Glasgow Prestwick Airport directly employs circa 450 people and supports over 4,000 jobs across the aerospace cluster. Situated in the heart of Scotland’s aerospace industry we offer a diverse range of in-house aviation services providing vital connections to the rest of the world.
We are seeking motivated individuals to join our Ground Handling team. In this hands-on, fast-paced operational role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality handling of baggage, and freight. Every day brings variety, from coordinating aircraft turnarounds and loading and unloading cargo, to assisting passengers and operating specialised airside vehicles. No previous aviation experience is required, as full training will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to build a rewarding career in the aviation industry. If you take pride in delivering excellent customer service, enjoy working as part of a team, and thrive in a dynamic environment, this role could be the perfect fit for you.
- Load and unload baggage and freight safely using appropriate equipment
- Operate and maintain ground handling vehicles in compliance with airside regulations
- Prepare aircraft parking stands and provide necessary equipment and manpower
- Follow turnaround, safety, and airline procedures at all times
- Keep work areas clear of debris and report any vehicle defects or incidents promptly
- Carry out a visual check of vehicles and report any defects through the online reporting system
- Adhere to all Ground Handling equipment procedures, training requirements, and airport policies
- Support other departments operationally when required
- Comply with employee Health & Safety regulations
- Full driving licence; ability to obtain an Airside Driving Licence
- Compliance with DVLA Group 2 medical standards for airfield driving, including vision, colour perception, hearing, and general health
- Ability to work flexibly to support operational demands
- Good team player with the ability to work on your own initiative
- Previous experience in a Ground Handling is essential
- Comply with UK Right to Work checks and provide associated relevant documentation at interview.
- Confirm your identity by providing a copy of your passport or driving licence.
- Provide GPA with a complete five-year referencing history inclusive of all employment, self-employment, and education. Any gap period of 28 days or more must be covered by a personal reference to which you must also provide contact details.
- Upon request, provide a Criminal Record Check Certificate (Basic Disclosure) from Disclosure Scotland. This must not display any disqualifying convictions as detailed on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
- Where applicable, undertake a Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) and understand that deployment to any security related activities is conditional upon the satisfactory result of such a check.
- Aged 18+
- Cash Health Care Plan (after six months employment).
- Life Assurance 4 x salary (after six months employment).
- Auto enrolled into our Pension Scheme (after 3 months employment) – enhanced upon request.
- Electric Car Scheme.
- Bike 2 Work scheme.
- Technology scheme (December).
- Uniform (as required).
- Enhanced Annual leave, depending on service length.
- Free Parking.
- Staff discounts in partnership with Dufry World Duty Free, access to their Staff Shopping Website with an excellent 30% discount on most brands across the site.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to applying equal opportunities at all stages of our recruitment and selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be made to our recruitment process to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged.
Please be aware that this vacancy may close at short notice once we’ve received sufficient interest. If you’re interested, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.
Application Notes
Pre-Application Considerations
Please note that to work at Glasgow Prestwick Airport Ltd (GPAL) it is required that you are able to:
- Comply with UK Right to Work checks and provide associated relevant documentation.
- Confirm your identity by providing a copy of your passport or driving licence.
- Complete this Application Form and in doing so provide GPAL with a five-year referencing history inclusive of a reference from a personal acquaintance to cover any gaps in employment of 28 days or more.
- Provide a Criminal Record Check Certificate (Basic Disclosure) from Disclosure Scotland. This must not display any disqualifying convictions as detailed on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
- Where applicable (for security-related roles) undertake a Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) and understand that deployment to any security-related activities is conditional upon the satisfactory result of such a check.
Notes for Guidance
This is a standard Application Form that must be completed by all applicants for any position at GPAL. All information will be processed in accordance with our responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 2018. This Form is the first part of the selection process and will be used to shortlist for the next stage in the recruitment process where relevant. Please complete all sections fully and emphasise any areas where you believe you meet the requirements of the job in accordance with the job advert/role applied for.
Medical Information and Drugs & Alcohol Testing
Any offer of employment is subject to the completion of a New Starter Health Questionnaire via our chosen occupational health provider as well as passing a pre-employment Drugs & Alcohol Test.
Disclosure of Criminal Convictions
Your employment is subject to a satisfactory Criminal Record Check (Basic Disclosure) from Disclosure Scotland in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Police Act 1997 (or an equivalent/additional check if you have lived outside the UK for more than six months in the last five years). Please list all convictions, cautions, reprimands or other warnings of whatever nature on your Application Form. All information will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants/employees. It is our policy to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination against any applicant/employee because of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex or sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (known as “protected characteristics”). Shortlisting is carefully monitored to ensure that selection is based on merit only.
View our Equal Opportunities Policy
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and guarantee interviews for any applicants with disabilities if they meet the essential criteria for the post, which is assessed from their Application Form.
Please help us to monitor the effectiveness of our Policy by completing all parts of our optional Equal Opportunities Form.
Next Steps
Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to reply to every individual application. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within six weeks of the advertised closing date, you can assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We will respond to all candidates interviewed to advise them of the progress of their application.
Any documents provided as part of the application process will be confidentially destroyed after twelve months for unsuccessful candidates.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in working at GPAL.