Unfortunately, MAN does seem to be labouring under a culture of negativity, and comments by HOVIS do continue to reflect this. The handling agencies seem particularly badly affected, yet the fallout appears limited to MAN whilst their counterparts at other UK airports - on similar pay and conditions - seem willing to go the extra mile.
Perhaps MAG takes the view that handling agency staff - not MAG employees - are outside their remit. But they really do need to be taking action. This general climate of negativity is cancerous. And unfortunately, the problem does seem to extend across some of MAG's own departments as well. Persistent rejection of cargo flights and the seemingly permanent 'No Divs NOTAM' are symptomatic of this.
Karen Smart has been in post for a while now, so she must be up to speed by this point. It would be interesting to know how she is moving to address rock-bottom staff morale across affected MAG departments and those of essential agency partners. Sweeping away the culture of negativity specific to this airport needs to be a priority for her. Traffic at MAN has been beyond devastated by COVID, yet her staff appear to regard every piece of new business turned away as a victory to be celebrated. This has to change.