Swissport Saudi Arabia, Jazeera Airways clinch ground handling services deal

SWISSPORT Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Swissport International, the world’s leading provider of ground and air cargo services to the aviation industry, has signed a contract with Jazeera Airways for ground handling services at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh. Jazeera Airways is the largest airline serving the Middle East out of Kuwait. Swissport will provide Jazeera Airways with comprehensive ground handling services including passenger and ramp handling, baggage services, operations coordination and load control. The start of the operations is scheduled for June 1, 2016 at both airports, with 9 weekly flights in Jeddah and 5 weekly flights in Riyadh with potential room for expansion. Swissport was awarded the ground handling servicing contract following a rigorous selection process, during which Swissport convincingly demonstrated its commitment to the highest industry standards and its thoroughly professional approach. Abdulla Al-Hudaid Jazeera’s Chief Operating Officer, said “we look forward to our new relationship with Swissport Saudi Arabia, whose recent entry into the Saudi market as a second ground handling services provider reflects the continued development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector. We thank Saudi’s General Authority for Civil Aviation for opening the door to private operators, thus bringing fair competition and more choice for Jazeera Airways and our customers. Swissport Saudi Arabia’s Chief Executive Officer Thomas Bommer said “the new contract is an important further achievement for us, and enables us to start our quality ground handling services at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh.” He added “we are looking forward to a long term partnership with Jazeera Airways.”