Australia is unique within the Swissport ecosystem. Our network extends far and wide across the country, from bustling hubs at Sydney and Melbourne to local airports for regional towns and cities.

This month’s Meet the Faces Behind Swissport takes us to Launceston, the second-largest city on the island of Tasmania, where we meet Bonnie Pouesi, Swissport's airport services manager at Launceston Airport.

A far cry from Australia’s mainland international airports, Launceston has a distinct regional feel. “Our team and most of the wider airport community know each other, which creates a great sense of connection”, Bonnie tells us. Her team face the unique challenge of turning around aircraft in northern Tasmania’s notorious winter fog.

The Green Room Initiative

As part of her role managing our ground handling operations at Launceston, Bonnie set up the Green Room Initiative, a private and secure space where staff can relax.

Bonnie told us that the Green Room was “sparked by a conversation with a team member about anxiety attacks. We were standing in what was then a messy & cluttered stock room, and it became clear that the space had potential to be transformed into what it is now”.

Bonnie’s Green Room initiative transformed that spare office into a quiet space where team members can recharge during the day, particularly benefiting neurodiverse colleagues and those with hidden disabilities. It’s a creative idea that’s made a big impact on the team.

Safety is a crucial consideration in Bonnie’s role, and she believes that supporting each other is key to maintaining a strong record – a key advantage of the Green Room. Bonnie argues that “when people feel genuinely supported, they make safer choices—for themselves and those around them”.

Customer Partnerships

Strong relationships with airline partners are vital across Swissport, and Bonnie’s leadership is a great example of this in action. Her care for her team and commitment to excellence were recently recognised by Qantas, a proud achievement for Bonnie and for the whole Swissport team.

Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by other airline partners either. Jetstar recently surprised Bonnie with a personalized unit load device (ULD) in her name. As part of a StarKids fundraiser, a partnership between Jetstar and World Vision Australia that has helped raise more than A$11m for community-based development projects, a Jetstar manager bid for the ULD in Bonnie’s name.

Life Beyond the Airport

Away from the airport, Bonnie loves spending time walking her dog, spending time with her children, and creating cozy, peaceful spaces at home to relax and read her Harry Potter books. While a homebody at heart, Bonnie also loves getting out in the fresh Tasmanian air and exploring all the island has to offer.

“I’m only a short drive away to some of my favourite places; the Lavender Farm and Table Cape Tulip Farm when they’re in season & the dog friendly beach at Bridport. It’s also a bonus only having to travel 15 minutes to get to work”.

Our Meet The Faces Series

Stay tuned for more stories in our Meet the Faces Behind Swissport series, where we showcase the incredible people behind our business. Want to see what life at Swissport is like? Visit Our People to learn more.