Swissport International is expanding its air cargo handling operations in Australia, providing services to airline customers and freight forwarders at new cargo facilities in Melbourne and Sydney. Additionally, a newly acquired facility in Auckland, New Zealand, is set to open in late March 2025.

The airport ground services and air cargo handling provider said airline customers and freight forwarders will benefit from additional capacity at Swissport's three new locations, designed to enhance operational efficiency and provide tailored solutions for diverse cargo needs.

"Swissport International is significantly investing in the expansion of its air cargo handling capacity in Australia and New Zealand," it said in an announcement. 

It noted that this strategic move will allow Swissport to further solidify its position as a key logistics partner for the industry.

"Swissport is ready to support the rapidly growing air cargo demand in Australia and New Zealand, enabling businesses to thrive," said Joel Greig, general manager of cargo for Australia and New Zealand at Swissport.

"Our new locations in Melbourne, Sydney and soon Auckland feature advanced temperature-controlled spaces, direct airside access, and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations. These capabilities empower our customers to deliver exceptional service quality across the supply chain," he added.

Swissport said its new location at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, is strategically positioned as the closest facility with direct airside access, offering a significant competitive edge for freight forwarders.

Spanning a total area of 9,366 sqm, including almost 5,000 sqm of warehouse floor space, the warehouse features temperature-controlled storage systems designed to handle perishables and pharmaceuticals, maintaining conditions of 2-8°C and 15-25°C – depending on the specific requirements of the shipments.

Also, at Sydney Airport, Swissport has expanded its footprint with a newly renovated facility, increasing its total handling area to over 4,500 sqm.

Swissport said the temperature-controlled air cargo centre is equipped to handle a wide range of products, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, mail, express shipments, and general cargo, ensuring seamless operations for diverse customer needs. It is fully licensed to meet all customs, biosecurity, and screening requirements for Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACA).

Additionally, dedicated express delivery transport trucks capable of loading airside will enable swift delivery to freight forwarders within 45 minutes of an aircraft's arrival.

In addition to expanding in Australia, Swissport is entering the New Zealand air cargo market. Starting in late March 2025, its services will be available at Auckland Airport. The facility is equipped with the airport`s largest and most advanced X-ray machine, featuring high-penetration, dual-view technology, and detection alerts for explosives and narcotics. 

Swissport noted that its capacity expansion in Australia began just months ago, with Vietjet and Batik Air as its launch customers. Since then, its customer base has grown to include LATAM Airlines and a suite of freight forwarders.

In Australia and New Zealand, Swissport has been offering airport ground services to 29 domestic and international airline customers at 18 airports.

In 2024, the company handled 226,358 flights.