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Ground-handling firm Swissport International is starting operations at Changi Airport…
Ground-handling firm Swissport International is starting operations at Changi Airport, four months ahead of its expected commencement in July 2005. Swissport is the third agent licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to provide ground-handling services at Changi. The other two ground-handlers at Changi Airport are Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and Changi International Airport Services (CIAS).
Swissport’s ground-handling licence is for 10 years. It will offer passenger handling services (eg. check-in), apron handling services (eg.baggage loading /unloading) and cargo handling services to airlines at Changi Airport.
The introduction of a third ground handler at Changi Airport is to create more choices and increase competition so that airlines operating in Singapore can look forward to lower ground handling costs. In line with this objective, CAAS had previously announced that it had restructured the franchise fees for the ground handling business at Changi Airport, which will result in about S$10 million in annual savings for the ground-handlers.
CAAS Director-General Wong Woon Liong said, We warmly welcome Swissport as our third ground handler at Changi Airport. We are delighted that Swissport
is able to bring forward its start of operations. With a new player on board, we believe airlines operating at Changi Airport will benefit from the greater choice of ground handling services being offered. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Swissport, as we have with both SATS and CIAS.
Today, we take the first step towards becoming a significant player in the Singapore ground-handling market says Peter Kohl, Managing Director of Swissport Singapore. With a firm commitment to deliver high-quality ground-handling services at competitive rates, we are well-positioned to succeed in the market. My gratitude goes to Swiss International Air Lines, our launching customer, as well as the dedicated management team of CAAS, whose invaluable support and assistance allowed us to commence operations four months ahead of schedule. Swissport has set high objectives for its Singapore operation, and we look forward to contributing to the excellent reputation of Changi Airport in South-East Asia and the world.
In 2004, Changi Airport saw a record of 30.4 million passengers, a 23.1 per cent year-on-year growth in passenger traffic. Similarly, a record of 1.78 million tonnes of cargo was moved, representing a year-on-year airfreight volume increase of 10.2 per cent. In addition, nine new airlines started operations at Changi Airport. In all, Changi is served by over 75 airlines that operate more than 3700 weekly flights to about 170 cities in the world.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
