Ground Operations Agent (9-month Fixed Term Contract)

British Airways; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 16,531,000 - 22,042,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited standby tickets

Discounted airfares

Staff travel benefits

Job summary

British Airways is hiring Ground Operations Agents on a 9-month fixed-term contract at Heathrow, based in Terminal 3 or 5 depending on need. You will support peak periods, work outdoors in all weather, and handle baggage and aircraft preparation with varied shifts (early and late).

7 days a week, including holidays, with potential for permanent roles based on business needs. Role requires a Full UK Manual Driving Licence, unrestricted right to work in the UK, and ability to obtain an airside ID

Qualifications

• Fluent English required for all customer interactions.
• Full UK manual driving licence held for at least 12 months.
• Unrestricted right to live and work in the UK; ability to obtain airside ID pass.

Responsibilities

• Prepare aircraft for arrival and departure.
• Load/unload customer baggage and cargo (up to 32 kg).
• Deliver baggage to collection/drop-off points.
• Undertake airside logistics for safe arrivals/departures.
• Perform safety checks and report issues.
• Follow SOPs with emphasis on safety and punctuality.
• Identify opportunities to improve baggage operations.

Skills

Fluent English

Manual driving licence

UK work rights

Job description

A career without limits As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues. So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

Ground Operations Agent (9-month Fixed Term Contract)

As part of our £7 billion transformation project, British Airways is continuing to grow. This is a fixed‑term opportunity to join our Ground Operations team to provide support during our peak operational period. Should the business’s growth result in a need for additional permanent headcount, there may be opportunities to move into a permanent role without the need to reapply, subject to business requirements at the time. Do you enjoy working in a lively and dynamic environment where every day is different? We are excited to be recruiting for individuals to join our Ground Operations team at Heathrow Airport. The role will be based at either Terminal 3 or Terminal 5, depending on our operational needs, and as a ground operations agent, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring a flawless journey for our customers. Your shifts will vary between early and late start times. Currently, shifts are either 8.5 or 11.5 hours long, with the earliest starting at 04:15 and the latest finishing at 00:30 (full details will be shared upon offer). Due to the nature of this role, you must be available to work across these shift patterns, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including Bank Holidays and religious festivals. This position involves working outdoors in all weather conditions – from heat to freezing cold, rain or shine – so you’ll need to be prepared for diverse environmental challenges throughout the year. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early due to the number of applications received.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare aircraft for arrival and departure.
• Load and unload customer baggage, cargo, and approved items onto the aircraft including lifting items up to 32kg.
• Deliver customer baggage to designated collection/drop-off points.
• Undertake airside logistics activities for safe and timely aircraft arrivals and departures.
• Carry out safety checks whilst also raising and reporting any issues.
• Work in line with our Standard Operating Procedures, with a particular focus on Safety and Flight Punctuality.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and maintain a safe, secure, and effective customer baggage operation at LHR.

What You’ll Bring To British Airways

• Must have held a Full UK Manual Driving Licence for a minimum of 12 months, with no more than 3 penalty points when you join British Airways
• Unrestricted right to live and work in the UK.
• Ability to acquire and retain an airside ID pass.

What We Are Looking For

• Physical fitness to handle manual tasks, including lifting items up to 32kg. This role can involve lifting multiple bags above shoulder height throughout the day
• Good interpersonal skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Resilience to handle outdoor shift work in varying weather conditions.

What We Offer

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

• Unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights.
• Up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.
• Opportunity to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you.
• Encouragement to consider opportunities across the business to help you develop and progress.
• Access to staff travel benefits from the day you join us.
• Competitive salary.

We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.