Swissport International has concluded a new collaboration agreement with easyJet for the provision of ground services at Zurich Airport. Under the new accord, Swissport Zurich will handle some 12 flights a week for the rapidly-growing low-cost carrier from September 18 onwards.

EasyJet will initially operate two services a day on its new Zurich-London (Luton) route. Following the example of their developing bases at Basel & Geneva, the company could potentially further expand its Zurich-based network, and operate daily services to various destinations throughout Europe.

“We’re very pleased to have concluded our new Swissport agreement,” says Jean-Marc Thevenaz, Managing Director of easyJet Switzerland. “Our collaborations at Basel and Geneva and elsewhere in Europe have been very fruitful; and it’s these positive experiences that have prompted us to put our faith in Swissport’s quality handling product for our new Zurich operations.”

“We welcome this extension of our easyJet collaboration,” adds Adrian Melliger, Swissport International’s Senior Vice President Ground Handling Switzerland & Germany. “And we’re delighted that the excellence of our value-for-money services elsewhere has convinced our partner to make use of them in Zurich, too.”

The low-fare segment remains extremely popular among air travellers, as its above-average growth continues to confirm. By 2010, one European passenger in three is expected to be travelling with a budget airline.