Swissport concluded a five-year global cooperation agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for…
Swissport concluded a five-year global cooperation agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for the provision of ground handling services for KLM Ground Services, KLM Cityhopper and KLM Cargo at over 60 stations around the world. The new-style long-term collaboration is expected to set a bold new trend within the air transport industry.
The global cooperation frame-agreement which Swissport and KLM have signed to the above effect marks a genuine milestone in the development of collaborations between airlines and their ground handling partners. The two companies implement the agreement retroactively on January 1st, 2004. The new partnership extends to KLM Ground Services, KLM cityhopper and KLM Cargo, and covers all the ground handling services which Swissport provides.
Faced with ever-growing cost pressures, the dynamic airline sector is witnessing the rise of a new form of strategic collaboration between air carriers and their ground handling partners, with local and ad-hoc purchasing arrangements gradually giving way to longer-term cooperation accords. The new approach offers enhanced opportunities to exploit synergies and optimise both partners` workflows and procedures. This new consolidated procurement strategy not only promises substantial cost savings, says KLM project leader Andrew Morch. It should lead to greater innovation and progress on the product side, too.
Swissport is equally enthusiastic about the comprehensive new accord. In concluding this agreement with KLM, we are not just securing tens of millions of euros in annual business volumes, explains Executive Vice President Corporate Services & Cargo Dr. Ludwig Bertsch. We are also gaining a successful airline partner who will challenge and encourage us to make further successful improvements to our products and services, in both quality and process terms.
Aviation specialists are convinced that agreements of this kind are the way forward for airlines and ground handlers alike – especially given the permanent pressure on costs and the resulting need to optimise processes wherever and whenever possible. Their closer collaboration should enable both Swissport and KLM to secure an even firmer position in their respective fields and equip them even more effectively to rise to the challenges ahead.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
