Aviapartner Handling announced the signature of an important ground handling contract with KLM in Marseille, Nice and Toulouse. In Toulouse, Aviapartner will be handling KLM 3 daily flights as of 3 June 2008. In Nice, KLM will switch to Aviapartner Handling as of 17 June for their 4 daily flights and in Marseille as of 30 September 2008 for their 3 daily flights. All these flights are operated with Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft.

In total, this represents an important increase in volume for these stations, totalling 3500 flights per year.

In the framework of this contract, KLM has decided to entrust Aviapartner with all Ramp Handling and Traffic Operations services. Ramp Handling includes loading and unloading, ground power, cleaning, freight and baggage transfer, headset, pushback and towing, and aircraft de-icing. Traffic Operations includes flight documentation, communication, weight and balance, crew briefing, and flight supervision.

Karel Bekaert, General Manager Handling France and Benelux: “This agreement represents a major step forward for the stations involved and for the entire Aviapartner French network. These various contracts also reinforce our co-operation with KLM. Indeed, today we already handle this airline in 7 stations of our 37-airport network, and these contracts with three additional stations confirm once more the good working relationship we have with them.”