Bolstered by strong demand for cargo logistics, Swissport International states that it can look back on a successful 2021. The group's cargo segment handled a record 5.1 million metric tons (2019, pre-COVID: 4.6 million). The ground services division handled just over two million flights (2019: 4.1 million) and served some 97 million passengers.
"With its world leading air cargo logistics, Swissport has been contributing to the protection of global supply chains throughout the pandemic," says Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International AG. "I am immensely proud that our teams around the globe – in an extremely challenging environment – have collectively delivered a very respectable result. It demonstrates the resilience and reliability of our company as an airline partner. We have intensified our customer engagement in recent months and continue to bring in new business and grow existing accounts. For 2022, we expect an accelerated recovery of global air traffic, latest by the start of the summer holidays in the northern hemisphere. This will also boost demand for airport ground services."
With the anticipated easing of pandemic restrictions in many countries, Swissport expects travel demand to rebound in the coming months, latest by the start of the summer holidays. The company has launched a large-scale recruitment initiative to get ready to support over 850 airline customers in ramping-up their operations. Swissport will create some 17,000 new jobs worldwide. These are primarily frontline roles in passenger services (check-in, gate) and ramp handling (movement of aircraft/towing, baggage handling).