The government is to end its baggage handling and cargo loading service at the airport.

Staff affected - 22 in total - are being offered either redeployment elsewhere in the Department in Infrastructure or redundancy.

The move, which could save £1m, follows a review of operations and a series of meetings with employees and representatives from Prospect and Unite the Union.

From May or June this year baggage handling and cargo loading duties, as well as assisting passengers with reduced mobility, will be performed by the handling agents at Ronaldsway on behalf of the airlines.

Apron section staff will remain in post during the transition.

A consultation period will be used to discuss redeployment opportunities within the department, or to agree terms for redundancy.

Baggage loading is not a statutory function of the DoI and is provided by private sector companies at the vast majority of airports throughout the British Isles.

Director of ports Ann Reynolds said: ’This is an extremely difficult decision that has been taken after full and frank discussions with staff, supervisors and union officials.

’After reviewing operational issues and exploring all available options, a recommendation was made to end the baggage handling service provided by our apron section staff.

’This course of action has been endorsed by the department and we have now entered a period of consultation with our employees.’

She added: ’I wish to thank the members of staff for their many years of service and for their professionalism during recent meetings.

’In terms of our passengers, we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition, so that it remains business as usual for users of the airport. We expect the service to be taken on by the airport’s handling agents within about three months once they have had an opportunity to recruit and train new staff.’

The DoI restructured its baggage handling service in 2015 in conjunction with staff and union representatives.

A local agreement was established that saw the introduction of Team Based Self Rostering and a five-year guarantee of employment for staff.

The DoI says it will honour that commitment by offering alterative positions within the department to those affected.

In 2012 it was revealed in Tynwald that the salary bill for the airport baggage handlers was £1,172,218, of which £323,275 was overtime.

The total salary bill included £60,000 awarded in November 2011 as a pay settlement. At that time there were 34 apron-loading full-time staff, 33 of which were shiftworkers.