01 Jul 2025
Media Release
Africa
Swissport operates across 29 airports in 6 African countries, providing safe, consistent ground handling for regional and multinational carriers. Our 17 warehouses ensure cargo excellence, offering critical cold-chain support for time- and temperature-sensitive goods.
Africa
Driving Growth
Building on our strong presence across the continent, Swissport delivers comprehensive ground handling and air cargo services that help airlines and logistics partners grow efficiently and reliably. In 2024, our African operations saw cargo volumes increase by 13.5% year-on-year, driven by strong demand for perishables, essential goods, and e-commerce shipments.
Swissport manages advanced cargo warehouses certified for pharmaceutical and fresh cargo logistics, including being the first and only air cargo handler in Sub-Saharan Africa to hold the IATA CEIV Fresh certification at Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, ensuring the highest standards for perishable goods handling. Across major hubs such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Dar es Salaam, Swissport provides reliable ground handling services—including passenger, ramp, and baggage operations—delivering safe, efficient, and seamless airport experiences.
Investments in infrastructure, workforce training, and digitalized processes enhance operational excellence and improve customer outcomes. Committed to sustainability, Swissport is advancing electrification of its ground support equipment and actively supporting IATA’s Focus Africa initiative to drive better connectivity, safety, and environmental performance across the continent.
Swissport manages advanced cargo warehouses certified for pharmaceutical and fresh cargo logistics, including being the first and only air cargo handler in Sub-Saharan Africa to hold the IATA CEIV Fresh certification at Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, ensuring the highest standards for perishable goods handling. Across major hubs such as Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Dar es Salaam, Swissport provides reliable ground handling services—including passenger, ramp, and baggage operations—delivering safe, efficient, and seamless airport experiences.
Investments in infrastructure, workforce training, and digitalized processes enhance operational excellence and improve customer outcomes. Committed to sustainability, Swissport is advancing electrification of its ground support equipment and actively supporting IATA’s Focus Africa initiative to drive better connectivity, safety, and environmental performance across the continent.
Africa Facts & figures
Driving Growth and Performance
17
Warehouses
380K
Tons of Cargo
12M
Passengers
17M
Bags
INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY CULTURE
ISAGO-CERTIFIED GROUND OPERATIONS
The safety of our staff, customers, and the passengers they serve are critically important to Swissport.
Our comprehensive safety management system promotes incident-free operations and ensures are trained to maintain high safety standards.
Swissport’s operations at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Nairobi airports are IATA ISAGO-certified, highlighting our commitment to industry-leading standards.
DEFINING STANDARDS IN GROUND OPERATONS
WORLDWIDE REACH, AFRICA FOCUS
Swissport’s extensive global footprint, covering nearly 300 airports worldwide, combines with deep local expertise across Africa to deliver best-in-class ground handling services.
Our ISO-certified operations ensure consistent quality and operational excellence, enabling airlines to streamline their services, scale efficiently, and confidently expand their networks with a trusted partner wherever they fly.
SEAMLESS GLOBAL FREIGHT
Excellence in Cold Chain
Swissport’s air cargo expertise in Africa spans 17 warehouses, with a strong focus on time- and temperature-sensitive goods,
With certified pharma and perishables facilities in Dar es Salaam, Algiers, Accra, and Nairobi, Swissport delivers reliable, compliant handling that ensures product integrity and supports our customers’ growing supply chain needs across Africa.
Our innovative Flower Corridor ensures Kenya’s fresh-cut flowers reach global markets with extended shelf life and uncompromised quality.
SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Shaping Sustainable Aviation
Serving over 300 airports across 45 countries, we understand the responsibility that comes with our scale and influence. Through continuous innovation and engagement, we are accelerating progress towards ambitious net-zero targets.
Our pioneering solutions support our operations in Africa; a 100KW solar grid at our Nairobi cargo facility powers 35-40% of our perishable cold storage. This enables our cold-chain management and replaces our electricity consumption with clean energy.
EXECUTIVE HOSPITALITY
Premium Lounges Across Africa
Swissport’s 30 years of hospitality expertise allows us to deliver a premium hotel guest experience for our customers.
We are continuing to add lounge capacity at Africa’s major airports. In 2025, we expanded into Morocco, with 11 lounges at 9 airports.
Our lounges complement Swissport’s ground and cargo handling lines, positioning us as a true ‘one-stop shop’ for airlines.