Etihad Airways and Swissport are expanding their global partnership through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at Arabian Travel Market. The agreement will increase the number of airports where Swissport provides services for the airline from 30 to 40, extending the partnership across Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
The addition of 10 locations builds on the work Swissport already performs for Etihad and provides a broader operational footprint as the airline continues to expand its network.
Under the new MoU, the companies will cooperate across ground handling and cargo services, while also leaving room to broaden the partnership into airport hospitality. This could include Swissport’s Aspire lounge business, which currently operates 110 airport lounges worldwide.
The agreement is also designed as a long-term framework rather than a fixed arrangement. As Etihad adds destinations to its network, the partnership can potentially be extended to additional airports and services.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said the airline’s rapid expansion requires consistent standards on the ground before new destinations begin operating. He highlighted the value of working with a single partner across 40 airports, with the objective of maintaining a consistent guest experience across Europe, Asia and North America while supporting operational expansion.
According to Al Marzouqi, combining Swissport’s global expertise with Etihad’s growth plans can help improve efficiency and service quality while creating a platform for the next stage of the partnership.
Warwick Brady, President and Chief Executive Officer of Swissport, described the two companies as a natural fit, pointing to their shared focus on operational excellence and customer experience.
Brady said Etihad is entering an important period of growth and that Swissport will support the airline through its international network, operational expertise and technology capabilities. He also pointed to Swissport’s experience handling complex and large aviation hubs as an asset that can support Etihad as its expansion continues.
Technology and innovation will form another major part of the relationship. Etihad and Swissport plan to explore ways to improve operational efficiency, strengthen service delivery and enhance the overall guest experience through automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven insights.
The companies will also examine the use of autonomous ground vehicles, building on Swissport’s work in this area. The goal is to help create airport operations that are safer, more intelligent and more seamless, while continuing to invest in the people and capabilities required to support the expanded network.
The wider partnership therefore combines a larger operational footprint with a framework for future expansion, covering ground handling, cargo, airport hospitality and emerging technologies as Etihad’s international network grows.
