Swissport International has concluded a four-year ground handling agreement with Air France that initially covers 11 airports…
Swissport International has concluded a four-year ground handling agreement with Air France that initially covers 11 airports and will later be extended to further destinations. The business generated by the new accord is worth over CHF 10 million a year.
The new global frame agreement between Swissport and Air France further underlines the dynamic developments in forms of collaboration in the ground handling sector and the growing importance of global cooperation activities. Having concluded comprehensive accords with KLM and SWISS in 2004, Swissport has now reached agreement with a further reputed airline – Air France – on the many advantages of such global ground handling arrangements.
By intensifying its collaboration with Swissport, Air France will not only benefit from tangible cost savings; the new accord should also deliver sizeable enhancements in administrative and quality assurance terms. For Swissport, meanwhile, this latest development provides a chance to further intensify its existing close contacts, a means of enhancing its productivity at various airports and the prospect of securing long-term revenue flows along with attractive growth opportunities.
We aim to be one of the airline industry`s leading players in the procurement and ground handling areas, says Denis Hasdenteufel, Head of Purchasing at Air France. With Swissport, we have found a reliable global partner who will also ensure that Air France remains one of the most innovative companies in the aviation services sector.
Joseph In Albon, CEO of Swissport International, is equally delighted at the new agreement. Our collaboration with Air France will set new benchmarks for our industry, he says. In the dynamic and rapidly-developing airline business, we have to remain as flexible and cost-effective as possible, to ensure that we can work together with our airline customers to meet and master the many challenges ahead.
With a workforce of some 21 000 personnel, Swissport International Ltd. (which is majority-owned by London-based Candover Partners Ltd., a leading European buyout specialist) provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 600 client companies. Swissport is active at 174 airports in 40 countries on four continents, and generated consolidated revenues of CHF 1.295 billion (around USD 1.136 billion) last year.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
