Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of Swissport’s global growth. By doubling our capacity to 13 stations this year, we’re proud to deliver high-quality services across the Kingdom and support its vision of connecting 330 million passengers to 250 destinations by 2030.

Today, Swissport serves more than half of all foreign carriers operating in Saudi Arabia, a testament to the trust our airline partners place in us.

It’s our people that make it happen. Their hard work in all conditions delivers safe, reliable turnarounds for our airline customers, greeting passengers with a friendly face as they arrive and depart. In Saudi Arabia, this dedication has driven an industry-leading on-time performance of above 99%, the best in the Kingdom and among the highest in our global network.

In this month’s Meet the Faces Behind Swissport, we meet Load Supervisor Mohammed, who plays a vital role in ensuring smooth operations and maintaining the highest safety standards on the ramp.

Life and Work in Dammam

Mohammed is based at Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern province. Working at the country’s third largest airport, Mohammed tells us that life on the ramp is “fast paced and challenging, but also very rewarding and full of opportunities”.

Providing important oversight on aircraft loading and unloading, Mohammed is at the heart of the action when it comes to safety and team morale. A strong sense of responsibility and team spirit keeps the Dammam team all pulling in the same direction.

Customer Recognition

While Dammam predominantly serves the Middle East and South Asia, the airport also serves long-haul destinations such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Beijing.

Widebody aircraft aren’t a rare sight at King Fahd; Emirates replaced their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with new Airbus A350-900s to serve Dammam. However, international flights to Europe come with their own challenges, from late-night arrivals to tight turnarounds.

Mohammed’s commitment to accuracy and efficient ramp handling was recognized in the form of an appreciation certificate by Air France KLM, for flight operations excellence handling KLM’s regular Amsterdam via Riyadh service.

On receiving the certificate, Mohammed told us that “It was an honor and a proud moment for me. It would not have been possible without working closely together as a team”.

Safety Month and QHSE Ambassadorship

Wherever Swissport operate, safety is always the top priority. As an ambassador for quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE), Mohammed’s focus on the ground is promoting a safety-first culture among the operations team.

He told us “safety is an important part of our team culture. It’s not just about monitoring daily compliance, it’s vital for us to always keep the focus on safe operations, even during the busiest periods”.

Through the Swissport Training Academy in Saudi Arabia, our teams receive world-class instruction in safety, ground handling, and customer service, empowering them to perform at the highest standards every day.

Raising awareness of key safety issues keeps safety top-of mind. Mohammed’s team observed Swissport’s Safety Month in September by conducting team sessions on ramp safety, as well as conducting equipment checks to minimize the risk of harm. The Dammam crew abide by the mantra of “safety is everyone’s responsibility”.

Away from the Ramp

Swissport is just one part of Mohammed’s life. On weekends, he enjoys quality time with family and friends, a welcome balance to the hustle and bustle of the airport. He’s also passionate about photography, loves to travel, and can often be found with a book in hand.

Mohammed says what he values most about living in Saudi Arabia is its diversity and wide range of opportunities. True to his positive outlook, he adds that nothing lifts his spirits more than a genuine smile.

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.