Brussels Airlines renews handling contract with Swissport for three years

The Board of Directors of SN AirHolding has approved the renewal of the handling contract between Brussels Airlines and Swissport Belgium.

The current handling contract with Brussels Airlines represents more than 60% of the total volume of Swissport Belgium. It is due to expire at the end of January 2018. The new agreement is concluded for a period of 3 years, with an option to extend it for 2 years.

The recent history of unannounced strikes by Swissport baggage handlers, causing a lot of disturbances for both airlines and passengers, have made negotiations with Brussels Airlines quite difficult. But after the social partners could agree on a social truce in recent weeks, the situation has been clarified and the new contract could be finalised.

As a result of the agreement with the trade unions, Swissport has developed concrete measures to improve the social climate and increase the quality of life in the enterprise, both in terms of feasible work and in the economic field.

The official Swissport news release

After the tender procedure that Brussels Airlines issued for its handling activities at Brussels Airport, the contract was reassigned to Swissport Belgium. Swissport Belgium is particularly pleased that Brussels Airlines has reaffirmed its confidence. The current contract with Brussels Airlines, which accounts for 60% of the total volume of Swissport Belgium, expires at the end of January 2018. The new agreement that applies thereto has a duration of 3 years.

Bringing the contract with Brussels Airlines is a crucial pillar of the transformation plan of CEO Pieter Van den Nieuwenhuizen and his team to ensure a sustainable future for Swissport Belgium. He stated: “It is a good and balanced agreement that meets the expectations of both Swissport Belgium and Brussels Airlines.”

Dirk Vrebos, Vice President of Ground Services Brussels Airlines: “The recently drawn-up transformation plan of Swissport Belgium, and the related guarantees in terms of service level agreement and investment of the parent company Swissport International in its Belgian branch, convinced us to cooperate with Swissport. Belgium for the next three years.“

Swissport International provides ground handling services for over 230 million passengers and 4.1 million flights (movements), processes 4.3 million tonnes of cargo per year and serves more than 835 customers worldwide. Swissport International Ltd. employs approximately 62,000 people and operates at 280 airports in 48 countries. The group achieved consolidated operating revenues of EUR 2.7 billion last year. Swissport Belgium is part of Swissport International. The company currently employs over 1,100 people and is active at Brussels Airport as well as at the regional airports of Liège and Ostend.

Monday, December 4, 2017