Swissport and British Airways conclude key multi-year cargo handling agreements

JOC Staff |
Zurich/Frankfurt/London, 15 March 2010 - Swissport International, the world's number-one provider of ground handling services to the aviation sector, is intensifying its collaboration with British Airways, one of the world's leading cargo carriers with its global route network. On 1 April, Swissport will take over all cargo handling duties for British Airways at Frankfurt Airport.

The new three-year agreement to provide cargo handling for British Airways at Frankfurt Airport is a particular landmark for Swissport. Frankfurt is one of the world's biggest cargo hubs, and the new agreement is likely to cover an annual volume of over 50,000 tonnes. The agreement with British Airways extends not only to all cargo activities at the airport, but also to airfreight handling for the associated trucking operations.

The new agreement extends the partners' collaboration on the airfreight front to ten stations in Germany and 19 destinations worldwide.

We're delighted to have concluded this major agreement, says John Batten, Executive Vice President Cargo Services at Swissport International. In tough business times more than ever, long-term partnerships are vital, with the reciprocal trust they reflect and the common interests they address. We'll be doing everything we possibly can to offer British Airways outstanding cargo services, and to meet and preferably exceed our partner's expectations.

Steve Gunning, Managing Director of British Airways World Cargo, is equally enthusiastic. He said: We are convinced that, in Swissport, we have selected a reliable partner who not only offers us value-for-money, but is also deeply committed to high quality standards and innovative development. Frankfurt is an important station to us and we attach particular importance to delivering world-class performance there.

Swissport and British Airways have also concluded agreements recently for their operations in Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix - further clear confirmation of their strong and fruitful partnership.

Swissport International Ltd., which is owned by Spanish-based Ferrovial, one of the world's leading infrastructure and service corporations, provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 650 client companies. With its workforce of around 32 000 personnel, Swissport is active at 176 airports in 38 countries on five continents, and generated consolidated operating revenue of CHF 1.7 billion (EUR 1.1 billion or USD 1.7 billion) in 2009. www.swissport.com / www.ferrovial.com