“An urgent investigation was undertaken into the recent behaviour of two team members at Melbourne Airport who were handling customer luggage in an unacceptable manner. As a result of that investigation, these individuals are no longer employed by Swissport,” a spokesman confirmed to news.com.au.
“In addition, we have conducted a briefing of all operations teams to remind them of the high standards we expect and enforce. The unacceptable behaviour of a few individuals will not be allowed to tarnish the quality work of our whole team.”
“Our 3,000-strong team across the network works hard to ensure these standards are upheld, and it is important that when those standards are breached by a small group of individuals, that we take action.”
The workers involved were stood down while their employer investigated.
A Qantas spokesman described the incident as " clearly not acceptable” after news of the footage broke, confirming an investigation of its own was underway.
The footage of the seldom-seen side of airport operations shocked Australians.
“How bloody sad that grown adults have no respect for people’s baggage,” one reader commented on the original coverage.
“I had a suitcase ruined a few years back, thank heavens it was on the return journey home, and I didn’t have to lug around a broken suitcase,’ another reader said.
“I’m not surprised at this. I often had a fragile sticker put on my luggage when checking in, and although I have wrapped and insulated anything fragile, I often find something broken,” explained another.