Swissport expands China Eastern partnership in Melbourne
The collaboration builds on its existing relationship with China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai and supports the carrier’s international growth plans.
Swissport has started ground handling and cargo operations for China Eastern Airlines at Melbourne International Airport, expanding the companies’ partnership across the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement covers passenger services, ramp handling, cargo operations, and aircraft cleaning for the airline’s operations in Melbourne.
The partnership links Melbourne with Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a route that handles both passenger and cargo traffic between Australia and China. Swissport said the collaboration builds on its existing relationship with China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai and supports the carrier’s international growth plans.
“This partnership reflects both the trust China Eastern Airlines places in Swissport and the strength of our Asia-Pacific network to deliver fully integrated aviation services for our airline customers,” said Brad Moore, CEO Asia-Pacific at Swissport. “Building on our collaboration in Shanghai, we are now extending that partnership in support of China Eastern Airlines’ international expansion.”
“The partnership has enabled Swissport to jointly develop a unique service and support model for Chinese carriers. Like Swissport, China Eastern Airlines has a steadfast and unwavering focus on safety across its operations, which is strongly reflected in the standard operating procedures in place for China Eastern Airlines,” Moore added.
The development comes as cargo demand between Australia and China continues to grow, supported by exports of fresh produce, seafood, and pharmaceutical products from Australia, alongside increasing e-commerce imports from China. Shanghai Pudong International Airport handled 4 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, while China Eastern Airlines transports around 19,500 tonnes annually on the Shanghai to Melbourne route.
Swissport said its Melbourne cargo facility includes cold-chain infrastructure and pharmaceutical handling capabilities aimed at supporting temperature-sensitive and high-value cargo moving through the Australia-China corridor. The company said the integrated model covering cargo, cabin care, and ground handling is intended to improve coordination across airline operations.
China Eastern Airlines currently operates up to 14 weekly flights between Shanghai and Melbourne during the March to September low season, increasing to 17 weekly services during the October to February peak season. The airline also operates three weekly flights linking Melbourne with Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.
To prepare for the launch, Swissport’s Melbourne operational team underwent training at China Eastern Airlines’ headquarters in Shanghai. According to the company, the programme included operational procedures, systems training, service standards, and safety protocols for the airline’s ground handling operations.
The agreement also marks the expansion of Swissport’s Cabin Care aircraft cleaning services into Melbourne after the service was introduced at Sydney International Airport earlier this year. Swissport said its cross-trained workforce is qualified in both cabin services and ground operations to support faster aircraft turnaround processes.
The Melbourne launch adds to Swissport’s recent expansion efforts in the Asia-Pacific market. The company recently entered a commercial agreement to manage and jointly operate the Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in partnership with SMARGO, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics.
