Etihad Airways and Swissport have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their global ground handling and cargo partnership, lifting Swissport’s support for the airline from 30 to 40 airports. The agreement, unveiled at Arabian Travel Market, extends cooperation across Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia and creates room for future airport hospitality services through Swissport’s Aspire lounge brand.
The deal covers ground handling and cargo services at the 10 additional locations, although the airports were not individually identified. Etihad framed the arrangement as a long-term framework designed to grow with its network, giving both companies flexibility to add further stations and services as traffic expands. Swissport’s Aspire brand operates airport lounges worldwide, opening a possible route for the partnership to move beyond core airport operations.