Zurich, Switzerland—Nov. 27, 2012— Swissport International Ltd., a global provider of ground services to the aviation sector, signed an agreement with new African low-cost carrier fastjet under which it will provide ground services throughout the airline’s network. Swissport will also supply a variety of airport services, be responsible for service delivery and support supply chain growth throughout the fastjet network.
“Swissport has a huge amount of experience in LCC handling in Europe and we look forward to assisting fastjet in building up this model in Africa, supported by our knowledge and processes,” said Juan Jose Andres Alvez, Executive Vice President of Ground Handling for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, Swissport. “This partnership includes all of the logistics challenges involved in setting up a network of ground handling operations and management systems, representing a new type of relationship between service provider and airline and offering a great opportunity for Swissport to continue to build its network in Africa in partnership with fastjet.”
Africa’s first pan-continental low-cost carrier (LCC), fastjet is set to launch operations later this month in Tanzania’s domestic market, with flights from its Dar Es Salaam base to Kilimanjaro and Mwanza. It will also expand its route network to fly the continent of Africa from north to south and east to west over the next few years.
“Swissport has a world-leading reputation and track record for providing high quality ground services to airlines around the world,” said Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer, fastjet. “fastjet is creating a pan-continental African airline offering international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability and it is therefore essential for us to have a handling partner that gives these qualities top priority and one that also matches our ambitious growth plans for Africa.”
