Delta Air Lines shifts ground handling contractor at Atlanta hub; employees offered new roles

More than 370 employees who currently provide ground handling services for Delta Air Lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport face layoffs as the airline transitions to a new service provider. The affected workers are employed by Unifi Aviation, which has held the contract with Delta for several years.

Delta recently informed Unifi that its aviation commissary services will no longer be required after September 30. According to Tammy Smith-de Jesus, HR Director at Unifi Aviation, "Delta recently notified Unifi that it will no longer need aviation commissary services after the last contracted departure on September 30 and will terminate the aviation commissary services provided by Unifi." The airline is switching its ground handling operations in Atlanta to Newrest, a different vendor. Employees impacted by this change have been offered positions with Newrest.

Delta stated, "Delta is transitioning our Atlanta commissary services from Unifi to Newrest and partnering with both organizations to maintain a seamless customer and employee experience. While the partner overseeing this work will change, all Unifi employees have been given the opportunity to join the Newrest team."