In 2022, Swissport International (Swissport) aggressively ramped up operations as large parts of the world emerged from the COVID-pandemic. The summer months were characterised by extreme spikes in travel demand that coincided with a dried-up labour market, global uncertainty over post-COVID travel regulations and an operational environment which was characterised by growing pains as global aviation struggled to get back on its feet.
In 2022, Swissport accelerated its revenue growth on the back of a strong recovery of global aviation. The airport ground services division handled 3.3 million flights last year (2021: 2.0 million) and served 186 million passengers, almost double the number of travellers served a year prior (2021: 97 million). In the air cargo segment, Swissport handled 4.8 million metric tons in 2022 (2021: 5.1 million).
Despite a challenging operational environment, Swissport realised strong growth. In the ground services segment, which includes check-in and gate services as well as ground movement of aircraft, baggage handling and services like aircraft de-icing, the number of aircraft turned increased to 3.3 million (2021: 2.0 million). The number of airline passengers served nearly doubled to 186 million in 2022 (2021: 97 million), reflecting the return of demand for international travel. In the cargo business, global supply chain issues, the war in the Ukraine and a tightening of monetary policy by leading central banks contributed to a slowdown. Regardless, Swissport handled a solid 4.8 million metric tonnes in 2022 after a record 5.1 million tonnes in 2021.
In the current market environment, airlines increasingly focus on their core business. Many turn to Swissport when outsourcing ground services, and increasingly so for hub or large base operations. Since taking over its first hub operation in Zurich, Switzerland, some 20 years ago, Swissport has established itself as the preferred hub expert and airline partner with a steadily growing number of hubs and large bases in its global portfolio.
Across its network of nearly 300 airports, Swissport recruited and qualified tens-of-thousands of new staff members in 2022. The company’s global workforce saw a seasonal peak of 54,000 people in summer 2022. That’s almost 30% more than at the end of 2021. At year-end 2022, Swissport employed 50,000 staff and is currently driving another broad recruitment initiative, to fill some 5,000 new positions before the peak travel season.