Subject to consultation and finalization of contracts, Swissport Australia has been appointed as preferred operating partner by Qantas at Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra airports.
The five-year agreement was reached after a rigorous tender process and will cover up to 70,000 flights per year. This follows on from Swissport’s expanded contract with Qantas Group’s low-cost carrier Jetstar which was chosen in September as preferred ramp services provider for Jetstar’s operations in Sydney, Cairns and Avalon, in September.
“We are proud to be trusted by the Qantas Group with their ground operations at Australia’s two busiest airports, in addition to the nation’s capital, and to further grow our partnership in Australia,” said Glenn Rutherford, Executive Vice President Swissport Asia-Pacific. “For almost 20 years, Swissport has been the largest local provider of ground services for the Qantas Group. Our teams will now support the Group at 20 airports in Australia and New Zealand, along with several airports in Europe, Asia, Africa and the U.S.”
Swissport Australia provides airport ground services for 25 airline customers at 24 airports across Australia and employs some 4,000 qualified staff. Additionally, Swissport will also expand its air cargo and lounge business in Australia. In 2021, the Switzerland based company will open two cargo warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne. Its first airport lounge at Perth airport, is expected to open up for airline passengers when international flying resumes.
