Etihad Airways and Swissport have extended their ground handling partnership, with the Abu Dhabi carrier set to be served by the Swiss aviation services group at 40 airports, up from 30. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
The expanded arrangement covers ground handling and cargo services across five regions, with scope to bring in airport hospitality through Swissport’s Aspire lounge brand, which operates 110 lounges worldwide.
Both parties described the MoU as a long-term framework, intended to accommodate further locations and services as Etihad’s network grows.
“Etihad is expanding at pace, and each new destination we add depends on the right standard of service being in place on the ground before the first flight arrives. Working with one partner across 40 airports gives our guests the same experience whether they are departing from Europe, Asia or North America, and gives our operation the consistency it needs to match that expansion. By combining Swissport’s global expertise with Etihad’s ambitious plans, we can enhance efficiency, service quality and the guest experience across our operations, while creating a strong platform for what comes next,” Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer, Etihad Airways said in a statement.
“Etihad and Swissport are a natural fit. We share the same ambition for operational excellence and an uncompromising focus on the customer experience. Etihad is embarking on an exciting phase of growth, and Swissport is proud to support that journey with our global network, our teams’ operational expertise and our technology capabilities. Our track record in managing complex, large aviation hubs will enable us to support Etihad effectively wherever its growth takes it,” Warwick Brady, President and Chief Executive Officer, Swissport added.
The partnership is also expected to draw on automation and data tools, including Swissport’s work on autonomous ground vehicles, as both companies look to improve efficiency and safety across airport operations.
