Our story
16 August 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of Swissport. From its modest beginnings with operations in Switzerland, Swissport has developed into a global industry leader.
A bright future in the making
From its modest beginnings with operations at Switzerland's largest airports in Zurich, Geneva and Basel, Swissport has developed into a global leader. Today, some 850 air carriers place their trust in Swissport.
And our ambitions remain high. We want to be the global brand airlines turn to when they look for a ground service partner. We combine best in class service and provide our customers with best value for money, market leading process flexibility and system compatibility. By delivering steady ground operations for airlines, Swissport contributes value to their service delivery and helps them bring a positive experience to their customers. We have an exciting journey ahead.
Swissport is incorporated
Swissport is incorporated in August 1996 in Switzerland with an initial presence in Zurich, Geneva and Basel.
The company subsequently expands into the UK, Germany and Brazil.
Global expansion
Expansion to Turkey and South Africa. Acquisition of DynAir in US and Aer Lingus Ground Handling in London.
25 countries
Swissport expands to 130 locations in 25 countries.
Candover
British private equity company Candover purchases Swissport from Swissair Group.
Cargo services
Swissport significantly expands its cargo handling business by acquiring Cargo Service Center B.V. with 61 stations in 15 countries.
KLM cargo, SWISS and United
Swissport and KLM conclude five-year worldwide agreement covering 64 stations.
Major outsourcing agreements signed with SWISS and United Airlines.
Awarded for Best Global Ground Handler five times in a row.
UK expansion
Acquisition of Groundstar Ltd. adds five locations and doubles Swissport’s business volume in the UK.
Asia expansion
Swissport acquires Globeground Korea, adding Seoul to its network as the third major station in its Asia-Pacific network after Manila and Singapore.
Aviation security
Swissport diversifies and enters the security business via its acquisition of Protectas Aviation Security Ltd., today branded Checkport.
Ferrovial
Spanish construction company Ferrovial purchases Swissport from British private equity company Candover.
Lufthansa Munich
Swissport-Losch, a joint venture with Losch Airport Service, wins the handling of Lufthansa’s regional fleet as a major initial contract at the Munich hub.
Finnair
Swissport wins contract as ground handling partner for Finnair’s Helsinki hub.
PAI Partners
Ferrovial successfully concludes sale of Swissport to PAI Partners.
Flightcare
Swissport acquires Flightcare Spain and Belgium.
Servisair
Swissport substantially expands its global presence by acquiring the ground handling group Servisair.
Fueling
Swissport invests in its fueling business through the acquisition of a majority stake in AFS Aviation Fuel Services GmbH.
Mexico expansion
Swissport expands its presence in Mexico to 28 stations via a joint venture with AGN Aviation Services.
HNA Group
Chinese HNA Group acquires Swissport from PAI Partners.
Middle East Expansion
Swissport expands into the Middle East with start-ups in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Aerocare
Major expansion in the Asia-Pacific region: Swissport acquires Aerocare, the number one ground handler in Australia / New Zealand.
Apron
Acquisition of German cargo handler Apron GmbH makes Stuttgart the second largest cargo hub of Swissport in Germany, only topped by its Frankfurt facility.
Growth in Asia-Pacific
Following through on its plan to use Aerocare as a platform for growth, Swissport announces plans to open an air cargo facility in Melbourne, its first in Australia, and to bring its Aspire lounge business to Perth, Australia.
Change of ownership
Investment funds managed by affiliates of Strategic Value Partners, LLC, Apollo Global Management, Inc., TowerBrook Capital Partners, Ares Management, Cross Ocean Partners and King Street Capital Management become the lead shareholder of Swissport International.
Swissport Pharma Centers
Swissport launches its own label for warehouses, which meet the company’s high standards for the storage and handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical goods.
Swissport 25th Anniversary
16 August 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Swissport. From its modest beginnings with operations in Switzerland, Swissport has developed into a global industry leader.
Market entry Italy
Swissport acquires Alitalia ground handling and provides hub handling for ITA Airways.
Saudi Arabia Expansion
Swissport strengthened its presence in Saudi Arabia through a strategic partnership with ASYAD Holding, which acquired a 49% stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia.
Cargo Expansion Düsseldorf
Swissport Deutschland GmbH and Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH have successfully closed the transaction for their cargo joint venture at Düsseldorf Airport. The new joint venture, named Swissport DUS Cargo Services GmbH, started operations on 17 August 2023.
Airport Hospitality Expansion
Swissport expanded its Aspire Lounges business by launching new oneworld Alliance lounge concepts in Seoul and Amsterdam, opening the world’s first three-tier Aspire lounge in Newcastle in April 2024, and securing a multi-location license in Morocco covering 11 lounges in partnership with ONDA.
Market entry China
Swissport enters China with next-generation cargo terminal at Shanghai Pudong Airport, the world’s second largest cargo hub, in partnership with Smarex, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics.
312 Numbers of airports served
Historic image gallery
Meet our people
I enjoy working at Swissport because I love making every lounge stay special for our guests.
Lounge Hospitality
I joined Swissport because I enjoy working with people.
Air Cargo Handling
Airports are home to the whole world. At Swissport, I can be part of this dynamic environment.
Customer Service
If you love your job, it doesn't feel like work. It becomes a passion.
Ramp Handling
I joined Swissport because I like planes and I enjoy working at the airport.
Fueling
At Swissport my role is so versatile: During the day I'm in the warehouse. At night I'm loading planes. I enjoy it.
Ramp and Cargo Handling