Starting this July, Swissport will be offering airport ground services at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The Texas airport adds to Swissport’s dense US network of 44 airports in 25 states. Austin is Swissport’s first opening of a new US airport location in six years, underlining its growth ambitions as the industry recovers from the pandemic.
With the handling of Aeromexico flight AM 2686, arriving from Mexico City (MEX) last Thursday, Swissport has successfully started operations at Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Austin, Texas. The world`s leading provider for airport ground services and air cargo handling is now present at 44 stations across 25 states in the US.
In Austin, Swissport teams up with its U.S. subsidiary Hallmark, responsible for passenger services like check-in and gate, whereas Swissport’s own staff will be serving airline customers on the ramp with services like the loading and unloading of baggage, fueling, aircraft cleaning, and movement of aircraft/pushback.
“The addition of Austin, to Swissport’s global airport network, at a time when aviation is finally emerging from the greatest crisis in its history, fills us with pride and joy,” says Frank Mena, Executive Vice President Americas. “It is a strong signal that Swissport is back and ready to support the recovery of aviation in the US and around the world. As the sector leader, Swissport combines great customer service with cost leadership and a global presence to support airlines in ramping up post-Covid, providing them the reliability and flexibility they seek.”
In the US, domestic travel has been steadily recovering and is back a 95% percent in June 2021 compared to June 2019 pre-crisis level. While international travel is also starting to come back, this June it is still only at approximately 40 percent versus June 2019. Air cargo handling has only been slightly depressed in the initial phase of the pandemic and has meanwhile seen a strong rebound, outperforming 2019 monthly figures since January 2021.
In the US, Swissport serves 197 airline customers at 44 stations with a workforce of some 10,500 staff. The service portfolio ranges from check-in and gate to ramp services, fueling, aircraft cleaning, and air cargo handling. Pre-Covid, Swissport served some 35 million passengers in the US and handled 1.4 million tons of air cargo at 26 warehouses.
