Swissport to double the number of passengers in 2022

In the Airport Ground Services division, it was reported that Swissport handled 3.3 million flights in 2022. This is a good one-third more than the previous year (2.0 million). 186 million passengers were looked after by the company. Even more affected by the pandemic, 97 million passengers were still handled by Swissport in the previous year. According to those responsible, the development in the passenger sector reflects the “return of international travel demand”.

On the other hand, there was a minus in freight: In 2022, the company lost 4.8 million tons, after 5.1 million tons the previous year. But 2021 has been a record year as cargo flights are known to be in high demand during the pandemic.

Swissport also cites global supply chain problems, the war in Ukraine and the tightening of monetary policy by major central banks as additional factors slowing freight.

Swissport is said to have “aggressively stepped up operations” last year. Because most of the world has relaxed the corona measures. This has sometimes led to an “excessive increase in travel demand”, especially during the summer months. These peaks in demand were accompanied, among other things, by a dried-up labor market and operational difficulties.

However, those responsible write that Swissport has seen strong growth despite the “challenging operational environment”. CEO Warwick Brady said in a statement that, thanks to an early increase in staff numbers in the spring, airlines are well prepared as they quickly ramp up their flight schedules ahead of the spring and summer holidays.

According to the announcement, Swissport has recruited and trained “tens of thousands of new employees” who will be deployed at around 300 airports where the company operates in 2022. The summer of 2022 recorded a season high with 54,000 employees worldwide. That’s almost 30 percent more than at the end of 2021.

According to the information obtained, Swissport still employs 50,000 people at the end of 2022. However, an extensive recruitment initiative is currently underway, with the company planning to fill around 5,000 new positions ahead of its peak travel season.

(SDA)

Source :Blick