But while this is a new beginning for some, it is the end of an era for others like Alf Trefilo, who has been working at Griffith Airport for over 20 years.

Rex airlines has recently awarded Aus-Flight Handling the tender for passenger check-in and baggage handling, with five MIA locals filling the spots previously held by employees working at Griffith airport for over a combined 100 years.

“In the end I think the local travelling public will miss our experience in looking after them the way they have been,” Mr Trefilo said.

“I feel sorry for my staff – for some of them the airport was their life.”

Rex airlines made the decision to award the tender to Aus-Flight Handling after approaching the long-standing tender holder Alf Trefilo about complaints regarding one particular staff member.

“Rex undertook a review and re-tender of the Griffith ground handling arrangements in October 2017 as part of a wider network review of its regional ports,” a spokesman said.

“The Griffith review included passenger check-in and baggage handling of Rex flights at Griffith Airport.

“Rex had received a number of complaints through its Customer Advocacy portal from the Griffith community and travelling public in relation to the service level of one of the staff at Griffith Airport and requested that the existing ground handling agent ensure he not be deployed to service Rex flights.

Mr Trefilo agreed there were some complaints, but acknowledged working in a service industry will always attract criticism.

“You will always get that one person who will put in a complaint when they don’t get their own way,” Mr Trifilio said.

“I offered to retrain the staff member, and went to the Ombudsman who offered mediation, but I then had to pay for all of the fees – mine including Rex’s, and I just couldn’t do that.”

Rex says it received tender submissions, and imposed conditions –  with one in particular stipulating the removal of one individual staff member from handling Rex flights.

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Rex says the provision, “was deemed necessary to ensure the level of customer service outlined in the Rex services level agreement was adhered to.”

“The incumbent operator was unwilling to comply with this condition, which subsequently resulted in the appointment of Aus-Flight Handling as the successful tenderer in March 2018,” the spokesperson said.

Rex said names of the previous staff who expressed interest in continuing employment were given to the new agent to be interviewed.

“Those staff who expressed interest were interviewed for a role with the new contractor. In total, five staff have been employed locally to facilitate Rex’s operations at Griffith Airport.”

Aus-Flight Handling is based in Regional NSW and is currently providing ground handling support to Rex in Albury and Wagga, as well as Armidale and Ballina.

Mr Trefilo wished the new staff good luck.

Aus-flight Handling was approached for comment through Rex, but the offer was declined.