Swissport International AG (Swissport) is expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by launching ground handling operations at seven additional airports, starting on June 1, 2025.

This expansion will bring Swissport's network in the Kingdom to a total of 13 airports, including new locations in Hail, Al Jouf, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif, Abha, and Jizan, alongside the existing six airports in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, Al-Qassim, and Al-Ula.

In the announcement, the airport ground services and air cargo handler said this expansion underscores Swissport's role as one of the main pillars of the Kingdom's dynamic aviation sector while enhancing service delivery for international airlines.

With the addition of seven new stations, Swissport is poised to significantly strengthen its operational footprint in Saudi Arabia, marking a 50% increase in flight handling capacity compared to 2024.

"By expanding our footprint across Saudi Arabia, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted partner for airlines in the region," said Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia.

"We are dedicated to providing reliable, high-quality ground services that ensure a consistent, top-tier experience for both airlines and passengers. We extend our sincere thanks to GACA, Matarat, and the Air Connectivity Program for their continued support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in making this expansion possible."

Initially offering passenger and ramp handling services, Swissport is also exploring the introduction of additional services, such as cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and lounge operations, with the intention of becoming a one-stop shop for airlines in Saudi Arabia.

"At Swissport, we are proud to be a strategic enabler of Saudi Vision 2030. As the Kingdom aspires to welcome 330 million passengers, we are fully aligned with this bold ambition," says Dirk Goovaerts, CEO of Swissport for Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India.

"By expanding our presence to 13 airports across Saudi Arabia, we are reinforcing our commitment to support the Kingdom's transformation into a global aviation hub."

Swissport’s expansion in Saudi Arabia is driven by partnerships with leading global airlines.

Air Arabia, a key regional partner, will be the launch customer at several new stations. The collaboration allows Swissport to support the airline's operations across all its destinations in the Kingdom, ensuring consistent, high-quality service nationwide.

As part of this growth, Swissport plans to significantly expand its workforce in Saudi Arabia.