Tag: Swissport

Swissport to buy electric vehicles from 2025

Swissport eco powered resizedSwissport will purchase new vehicles in electric-powered variants from January 2025 to speed up the transition away from diesel and gasoline-powered GSE.

From January, vehicles for baggage transport, conveyor belts to load luggage, mobile staircases, forklifts, and vehicles for waste disposal and water supply must be purchased in the electric variant in Swissport’s newly adopted procurement policy.

By 2027, Swissport intends to procure only electric GSE depending on equipment availability and airport infrastructure.

Swissport has set the target of 55% electric GSE by 2032.

The policy is key to Swissport’s ESG commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, with CEO Warwick Brady saying: “Over the next ten years, we will invest over a billion euros into a new electric fleet. Our strong commitment to sustainability and clean energy also supports airlines’ ESG goals and reduces their supply chain emissions.”

Brady also said: “To support our electrification roadmap, airports must prioritise installing charging infrastructure, and ensure their electrical grids can handle increased power demands. Swissport also urges regulators and IATA to establish standardised charging connectors and protocols and to require airports to provide a minimum number of electrifiable GSE parking spaces.”

Swissport is making progress electrifying its GSE fleet at major European airports with 44% electric GSE at Zurich Airport, which is set to reach 55% by the end of 2025.

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Swissport has invested €2.5 million in electric assets and intends to transition its entire motorised GSE fleet to electric power soon.

Five electric buses have been deployed at Rome Fiumicino Airport with seven more on order, and Swissport will invest €25 million in electric vehicles at Frankfurt Airport, where it has secured a licence to provide ground services from February 2025.

AeroMexico selects Swissport to handle flights at Rome Fiumicino

220720-Swissport-274 AeroMexico has selected Swissport to handle its flights at Rome Fiumicino airport when services start on 26 March.
The Mexican airline will operate 4 flights a week between Mexico City and Rome from 26 March using a Boeing 787, increasing to 7 a week from mid-June.
Swissport will provide passenger and security services, lounge hospitality and ramp handling under the contract, which runs until March 2026.
Marina Bottelli, Managing Director for Italy at Swissport, said: “We are honoured and excited to partner with the Mexican national airline. AeroMexico can rely on Swissport’s recognised experience as a reliable partner for a vast range of aviation services between the landing and the take-off of their flights. Our launch in Italy just nine months ago, when we also took over the complete hub handling of ITA Airways at their home base, was a great success, and we are pleased that our customer portfolio continues to grow and now includes 50 renowned airlines.”
Swissport started operating in Italy in July last year, starting at Rome Fiumicino then at Milan Linate.
Since July, Swissport has served more than 4.8 million passengers and handled almost 42,000 departures for 50 airlines in Rome.

Azul awards Swissport handling contract at Viracopos

Swissport resizedBrazilian airline Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras has awarded Swissport to provide ground handling services at Viracopos International Airport.

Swissport will provide ramp handling, aircraft cleaning, and cargo handling in the eight year contract at the airport in Campinas, Sao Paulo state. The two companies already work together at eight airports in Brazil.

Rene Pascua, Head of Latin America and Caribbean at Swissport said: “Swissport has been serving Azul at several airports since the start of their operations in 2008, and we are honoured to earn their renewed trust and to serve them at their home base. Swissport is well prepared to support Azul’s growth in Brazil and beyond as it adds new aircraft.”

At Viracopos, Azul serves 66 locations across Latin America and a few in the US and Portugal, primarily operating narrow-body Airbuses, ATRs and Embraers and a few widebody Airbuses, and it has A350s on order.

Swissport opens Halifax Stanfield warehouse

Swissport has opened an air cargo ware190528_Swiss_BSL_117 1house at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, its third new Canadian facility in less than six months.

With the new 370 square metre facility, Swissport complements its local offering in passenger services with air cargo handling. In comparison with 2019, the company’s volumes in Canada are up 35%, underlining the need for increased warehousing and logistics capacity.

“With the opening of new warehouses across Canada, we are leveraging Swissport’s global expertise to deliver world-class air cargo handling at more Canadian airports,” says Charles Roberge, CEO of Swissport in Canada. “We are adding more services in more places making sure we meet the growing needs of our customers and changes in the industry. With its comprehensive service portfolio Swissport in Canada aspires to be the partner of choice for global and local customer airlines alike and we will continue to invest in our service delivery.”

Just recently, new air cargo warehouses were opened at Montréal–Mirabel International Airport and Edmonton International Airport (EIA). The 500 square metre Montréal-Mirabel location again represents an extension of Swissport’s local service offering, adding air cargo handling to the established fuelling activities. At Edmonton International, the existing full range of passenger services is supplemented by a new 1,000 square metre air cargo warehouse with options for a further expansion. The additional capacity contributes to Swissport’s focus on cargo growth in the region.

Tom Ruth, President and CEO of Edmonton International Airport, says: “With the growth in cargo business at EIA, Swissport is seizing the opportunity to expand its services and create more jobs and opportunities for our community. 2020 saw tremendous growth in cargo demand and that has continued this year. As the only Canadian airport community with the global IATA CEIV Pharma certification, we look forward to more developments supporting EIA’s position as a major logistics centre.”