Latest news with #DirkGoovaerts
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Swissport boosts Saudi operations with groundbreaking 13-airport deal
Saudi Arabia - Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, yesterday (June 1) launched co-ordinated ground handling operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, welcoming inaugural flights from Air Arabia with celebration events at each location. The new stations - Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan - join Swissport's existing network of six airports: Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al Ula, said Swissport in a statement. This milestone also marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Air Arabia, one of the region's leading low-cost carriers. The execution of such a marvellous expansion plan in such a short span of time is attributed to the successful conclusion and signing of the ground handling agreement with Air Arabia that operates to all these airports, it stated. Dirk Goovaerts, the CEO of Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport, said this launch marks a critical step in Swissport Saudi Arabia's growth strategy, aligning with the kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030. "Expanding our ground operations to 13 airports reflects both our long-term commitment to the Kingdom and our readiness to deliver operational excellence at scale," he stated. "Our investments in innovation, sustainability, and talent are clear signals of our continued focus on safety, reliability, and world-class service. Together with our trusted partners, we are proud to be shaping the future of aviation in the region," he added. After having received the license from the authorities on 24 April 2025 for the opening of these airports, it was a great deal of challenge to be ready for the delivery of quality services to the client on June 1. It included successfully completing the training process of 400+ staff in addition to transporting the fleet of heavy GSE to remotely scattered apart airports. "In less than merely 40 days of time span, the target was effectively achieved. The entire team at Swissport KSA worked tirelessly and meticulously under the professional and devoted leadership of its CEO Hamad Alhemede together with the effective support of Swissport global and ensured all the seven newly added locations were fully equipped and operationally ready ahead of schedule," stated Goovaerts. This included setting up infrastructure, recruitment and training of local staff, and the deployment of Swissport's proven global processes and standards, he said. Marking one of its largest coordinated go-lives in recent years, Swissport has expanded operations to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its strategic growth in the Middle East and strengthening its alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, he added. Swissport said its on-time performance in the kingdom consistently exceeds 99% - the highest in the country and among the best across its global network. This outstanding performance reflects Swissport's operational discipline and its commitment to delivering punctual, high-quality service for airline partners. The dedication, hard work and the passion are the driving force behind the management of SP KSA and its team in achieving such an exciting result in OTP, it stated. Alhemede said this was a proud moment for Swissport teams across the kingdom. "Our expansion to 13 airports was made possible thanks to the dedication of our local talent and the strength of our Swissport training programs," he stated. "Our operations are locally led and supported by global experts and international best practices. Together, we are building a future-ready operation that reflects the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and service," he added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
6 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Swissport boosts Saudi operations with groundbreaking 13-airport deal
Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, yesterday (June 1) launched co-ordinated ground handling operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, welcoming inaugural flights from Air Arabia with celebration events at each location. The new stations - Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan - join Swissport's existing network of six airports: Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al Ula, said Swissport in a statement. This milestone also marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Air Arabia, one of the region's leading low-cost carriers. The execution of such a marvellous expansion plan in such a short span of time is attributed to the successful conclusion and signing of the ground handling agreement with Air Arabia that operates to all these airports, it stated. Dirk Goovaerts, the CEO of Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport, said this launch marks a critical step in Swissport Saudi Arabia's growth strategy, aligning with the kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030. "Expanding our ground operations to 13 airports reflects both our long-term commitment to the Kingdom and our readiness to deliver operational excellence at scale," he stated. "Our investments in innovation, sustainability, and talent are clear signals of our continued focus on safety, reliability, and world-class service. Together with our trusted partners, we are proud to be shaping the future of aviation in the region," he added. After having received the license from the authorities on 24 April 2025 for the opening of these airports, it was a great deal of challenge to be ready for the delivery of quality services to the client on June 1. It included successfully completing the training process of 400+ staff in addition to transporting the fleet of heavy GSE to remotely scattered apart airports. "In less than merely 40 days of time span, the target was effectively achieved. The entire team at Swissport KSA worked tirelessly and meticulously under the professional and devoted leadership of its CEO Hamad Alhemede together with the effective support of Swissport global and ensured all the seven newly added locations were fully equipped and operationally ready ahead of schedule," stated Goovaerts. This included setting up infrastructure, recruitment and training of local staff, and the deployment of Swissport's proven global processes and standards, he said. Marking one of its largest coordinated go-lives in recent years, Swissport has expanded operations to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its strategic growth in the Middle East and strengthening its alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, he added. Swissport said its on-time performance in the kingdom consistently exceeds 99% - the highest in the country and among the best across its global network. This outstanding performance reflects Swissport's operational discipline and its commitment to delivering punctual, high-quality service for airline partners. The dedication, hard work and the passion are the driving force behind the management of SP KSA and its team in achieving such an exciting result in OTP, it stated. Alhemede said this was a proud moment for Swissport teams across the kingdom. "Our expansion to 13 airports was made possible thanks to the dedication of our local talent and the strength of our Swissport training programs," he stated.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Swissport scales up in Saudi Arabia with groundbreaking 13-airport launch
Marking one of its largest coordinated go-lives in recent years, Swissport has expanded operations to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its strategic growth in the Middle East and strengthening its alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, has launched coordinated ground handling operations across the Kingdom on June 1, welcoming inaugural flights from Air Arabia with celebration events at each location. The new stations—Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan—join Swissport's existing network of six airports: Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al-Ula. This milestone also marks the beginning of a new collaboration with Air Arabia, one of the region's leading low-cost carriers. The execution of such a marvellous expansion plan in such a short span of time is attributed to the successful conclusion and signing of the ground handling agreement with Air Arabia that operates to all these airports. "This launch marks a critical step in Swissport Saudi Arabia's growth strategy, aligning with Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030. Expanding our ground operations to 13 airports reflects both our long-term commitment to the Kingdom and our readiness to deliver operational excellence at scale," says Dirk Goovaerts, CEO of Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport. "Our investments in innovation, sustainability, and talent are clear signals of our continued focus on safety, reliability, and world-class service. Together with our trusted partners, we are proud to be shaping the future of aviation in the region." After having received the license from the authorities on 24 April 2025 for the opening of these airports, it was a great deal of challenge to be ready for the delivery of quality services to the client on 01 June 2025. It included successfully completing the training process of 400+ staff in addition to transporting the fleet of heavy GSE to remotely scattered apart airports. In less than merely a forty (40) days of time span, the target was effectively achieved. The entire team at Swissport KSA worked tirelessly and meticulously under the professional and devoted leadership of its CEO Mr. Hamad Alhemede together with the effective support of Swissport global and ensured all the seven newly added locations were fully equipped and operationally ready ahead of schedule. This included setting up infrastructure, recruitment and training of local staff, and the deployment of Swissport's proven global processes and standards. Swissport's on-time performance in the Kingdom consistently exceeds 99%—the highest in the country and among the best across its global network. This outstanding performance reflects Swissport's operational discipline and its commitment to delivering punctual, high-quality service for airline partners. The dedication, hard work and the passion are the driving force behind the management of SP KSA and its team in achieving such an exciting result in OTP. "This is a proud moment for our teams across the Kingdom. Our expansion to 13 airports was made possible thanks to the dedication of our local talent and the strength of our Swissport training programs," says Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia. "Our operations are locally led and supported by global experts and international best practices. Together, we are building a future-ready operation that reflects the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and service." Swissport's continued expansion is further supported by its strategic partnership with Asyad Holding Group and its close collaboration with key stakeholders, including GACA, Matarat, and the Air Connectivity Program. With operations now live across 13 airports, Swissport is exploring the introduction of additional services—such as cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and lounge operations—to offer a comprehensive ground service solution for airline partners. As demand in Saudi Arabia's aviation market accelerates, Swissport is well positioned to support this growth with a scalable, safe, and reliable operation. In 2024, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 247 million airline passengers (2023: 232 million) and handled roughly 5 million tons of air freight (2023: 4.7 million) at 117 air cargo centers worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA's CEIV Pharma and by the British MHRA. At the end of December 2024, the world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with currently around 62,000 employees, was active at 276 airports in 45 countries on six continents. Media contacts Swissport International AG, Group Communications, Silvia Garrido, P.O. Box, 8058 Zurich Airport, Switzerland media@
Trade Arabia
29-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Swissport expands to 13 Saudi airports
Swissport International, leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia by launching ground handling operations at seven additional airports, starting on June 1. This strategic expansion will bring Swissport's network in the Kingdom to a total of 13 airports, including new locations in Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan, alongside the existing six airports in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al-Ula. This expansion underscores Swissport's role as one of the main pillars of the Kingdom's dynamic aviation sector while enhancing service delivery for international airlines. With the addition of seven new stations, Swissport is poised to significantly strengthen its operational footprint in Saudi Arabia—marking a 50% increase in flight handling capacity compared to 2024. By expanding our footprint across Saudi Arabia, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted partner for airlines in the region,' says Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia. 'We are dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality ground services that ensure a consistent, top-tier experience for both airlines and passengers. We extend our sincere thanks to GACA, Matarat, and the Air Connectivity Program for their continued support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in making this expansion possible.' Initially offering passenger and ramp handling services, Swissport is also exploring the introduction of additional services such as cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and lounge operations, with the goal of becoming a one-stop-shop for airlines in Saudi Arabia. 'At Swissport, we are proud to be a strategic enabler of Saudi Vision 2030. As the Kingdom aspires to welcome 330 million passengers, we are fully aligned with this bold ambition,' says Dirk Goovaerts, CEO of Swissport for Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India. 'By expanding our presence to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, we are reinforcing our commitment to support the Kingdom's transformation into a global aviation hub. Our growing footprint places us at the center of this remarkable growth, delivering world-class ground services that enhance the travel experience and help connect Saudi Arabia with the world.' Swissport's continued growth in Saudi Arabia is underpinned by strong partnerships with leading global airlines. Among them, Air Arabia—a key regional partner—will serve as the launch customer at several of the new stations. This collaboration enables Swissport to support the airline's operations across all its destinations in the Kingdom, ensuring consistent, high-quality service throughout the country. As part of this growth, Swissport plans to significantly expand its workforce in Saudi Arabia. All new roles will be filled locally, reinforcing the company's commitment to regional employment, and contributing to the economic development of the cities where it operates. In 2024, Swissport International provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 247 million airline passengers (2023: 232 million), welcomed 5.9 million lounge guests (2023: 5.7 million), and handled roughly 5 million tons of air freight (2023: 4.7 million) at 117 air cargo centers worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA's CEIV Pharma and by the British MHRA. At the end of December 2024, the world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with currently around 62,000 employees, was active at 279 airports in 45 countries on six continents.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Swissport expands to 13 Saudi airports
Swissport is expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, launching ground handling operations at seven additional airports as of 1 June 2025. This strategic growth brings Swissport's network in the Kingdom to 13 airports, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality services across the region. Swissport International AG, the global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, is expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by launching ground handling operations at seven additional airports, starting on 1 June 2025. This strategic expansion will bring Swissport's network in the Kingdom to a total of 13 airports, including new locations in Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan, alongside the existing six airports in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al-Ula. This expansion underscores Swissport's role as one of the main pillars of the Kingdom's dynamic aviation sector while enhancing service delivery for international airlines. With the addition of seven new stations, Swissport is poised to significantly strengthen its operational footprint in Saudi Arabia—marking a 50% increase in flight handling capacity compared to 2024. By expanding our footprint across Saudi Arabia, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted partner for airlines in the region,' says Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia. 'We are dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality ground services that ensure a consistent, top-tier experience for both airlines and passengers. We extend our sincere thanks to GACA, Matarat, and the Air Connectivity Program for their continued support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in making this expansion possible.' Initially offering passenger and ramp handling services, Swissport is also exploring the introduction of additional services such as cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and lounge operations, with the goal of becoming a one-stop-shop for airlines in Saudi Arabia. 'At Swissport, we are proud to be a strategic enabler of Saudi Vision 2030. As the Kingdom aspires to welcome 330 million passengers, we are fully aligned with this bold ambition,' says Dirk Goovaerts, CEO of Swissport for Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India. 'By expanding our presence to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, we are reinforcing our commitment to support the Kingdom's transformation into a global aviation hub. Our growing footprint places us at the center of this remarkable growth, delivering world-class ground services that enhance the travel experience and help connect Saudi Arabia with the world.' Swissport's continued growth in Saudi Arabia is underpinned by strong partnerships with leading global airlines. Among them, Air Arabia—a key regional partner—will serve as the launch customer at several of the new stations. This collaboration enables Swissport to support the airline's operations across all its destinations in the Kingdom, ensuring consistent, high-quality service throughout the country. As part of this growth, Swissport plans to significantly expand its workforce in Saudi Arabia. All new roles will be filled locally, reinforcing the company's commitment to regional employment, and contributing to the economic development of the cities where it operates. In 2024, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for some 247 million airline passengers (2023: 232 million), welcomed 5.9 million lounge guests (2023: 5.7 million), and handled roughly 5 million tons of air freight (2023: 4.7 million) at 117 air cargo centers worldwide. Several of its warehouses have been certified for pharmaceutical logistics by IATA's CEIV Pharma and by the British MHRA. At the end of December 2024, the world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with currently around 62,000 employees, was active at 279 airports in 45 countries on six continents. Media contacts Swissport International AG, Group Communications, Silvia Garrido, Switzerland media@
