Swissport International, provider of airport ground services, is further expanding its network: on March 27, 2005, the group will commence its own cargo operations…
Swissport International, provider of airport ground services, is further expanding its network: on March 27, 2005, the group will commence its own cargo operations at Amsterdam`s Schiphol Airport. The airport is regarded by cargo airlines, logistics agents and forwarders alike as a key European hub with enormous growth and development potential. Swissport Cargo Services is also expanding its capacity in Belgium and Luxembourg, making it one of the most important cargo handlers in the Benelux region.
Swissport International`s cargo division is currently active – with sizeable success – at 82 airports in 23 countries, and increased its annual operating revenues by a substantial 15 per cent in 2004. With the outlook bright for the air cargo business over the coming months and years, Swissport is keen to further expand its network and product range to ensure a continuation of its own steady growth.
Amsterdam is Europe`s third-most-important airfreight hub (after Frankfurt and Paris), with an annual cargo throughput of over 1.5 million tonnes. The airport authorities have already announced that, in view of the strong demand – the cargo sector is currently seeing annual growth of more than 7 per cent – further capacity will be added in 2007. And trends in the logistics business also point to a concentration on key airfreight hubs, which permit more cost-effective operations.
Swissport will offer the full range of cargo services (including warehousing, import & export, physical handling, document control, palletisation and ULD management) with its new Amsterdam operation. The services will initially be provided for five airline customers, but Swissport expects to have doubled the volume of these activities by the end of the year.
We are delighted at our expansion, says Jan van Anrooy, General Manager-designate for the new Swissport Amsterdam cargo operation. Our new station gives our customer carriers around the world a further opportunity to work with us, within a global cargo network that no local competitors can match. In quality terms, too, we aim to set new benchmarks in Amsterdam and further raise customer satisfaction.
Good news from Brussels and Luxembourg, too
Swissport Cargo Services Belgium is doubling its cargo capacity at Brussels Airport by acquiring a 7000-square-metre airside building that will enable it to offer an even better and broader range of services to its customers. In addition to the benefits of direct ramp access, the new building`s perishables centre should enable Swissport Brussels to attract further business volume. Swissport also aims to set new quality standards at this key cargo hub, and to conclude close collaborations with various airlines and cargo-sector partners. The new Swissport cargo building should become fully operational on June 1, 2005.
Swissport has also tripled its cargo handling volumes in Luxembourg over the last two years, making it an attractive alternative to the dominant home carrier. Both major customers such as KLM & China Airlines and numerous smaller charter carriers already entrust the handling of their cargo to the Swiss-based Swissport Group. The sizeable recent increase in volumes is a tribute primarily to Swissport`s excellent quality and its high flexibility in offering special cargo solutions. Further growth is planned.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
