Swissport reports record cargo demand in 2021
In 2021, goods totaling 5.1 million metric tons (2019: 4.6 million tons) passed through more than 100 air cargo centres.
2021 numbers record an increase of around 10 per cent over the 2019 pre-crisis levels
Swissport International AG's cargo segment handled 5.1 million metric tons of cargo in 2021 while 4.6 million of cargo was recorded in 2019.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the air travel restrictions that characterized much of 2021, Swissport can look back on a successful business year, thanks primarily to its cargo unit.
In 2021, goods totaling 5.1 million metric tons (2019: 4.6 million tons) passed through more than 100 air cargo centers. This is an all-time high and represents an increase of around 10 per cent over the 2019 pre-crisis levels, says the press release.
"With its world leading air cargo logistics, Swissport has been contributing to the protection of global supply chains throughout the pandemic," says Warwick Brady, President and CEO of Swissport International AG. "I am immensely proud that our teams around the globe – in an extremely challenging environment – have collectively delivered a very respectable result. It demonstrates the resilience and reliability of our company as an airline partner. For 2022, we expect an accelerated recovery of global air traffic, latest by the start of the summer holidays in the northern hemisphere. This will also boost demand for airport ground services."
With the anticipated easing of pandemic restrictions in many countries, Swissport expects travel demand to rebound in the coming months, latest by the start of the summer holidays. The company has launched a large-scale recruitment initiative to get ready to support over 850 airline customers in ramping-up their operations.
Swissport will create some 17,000 new jobs worldwide. These are primarily frontline roles in passenger services (check-in, gate) and ramp handling (movement of aircraft/towing, baggage handling).
