Swissport International to start operations at BER Airport

Swissport International is set to start operations at the German capital’s new Berlin Brandenburg (BER) Airport.

After having moved its services and operations from Berlin Tegel (TXL) and Berlin Schönefeld (SXF), Swissport will provide ground handling, ramp handling and passenger services at BER’s terminals 1 and 5, starting from tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the company’s cargo operations at BER — including general and special freight handling, express services and freight forwarding — will commence at the new hub from November 9.

At around 2,100 sq m, the new Swissport cargo warehouse at BER is 60% larger than the TXL facility. The BER facility also features advanced dual-view X-ray technology, which Swissport says will enable it to improve the security and efficiency of its cargo operations.

Carsten Zuberbier, managing director at Swissport Berlin, commented: “At Swissport, we are especially looking forward to more space that will enable us to provide our services more efficiently.”

“The new facilities will allow us to write another successful chapter with our partner airlines and to grow with potential new customers both in the areas of airport ground services and air cargo handling.”

Willy Ruf, senior vice president, Central Europe, at Swissport, added: “We are very pleased to finally start serving our airline customers at the new terminals at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

“It took longer than expected, but as BER opens to business we are looking at a beautiful new airport and gateway to the German capital.”

In August, Swissport said it had secured a €300m binding commitment from an ad hoc group of senior secured creditors, subject to final documentation, which would deliver immediate liquidity for Swissport to trade through the Covid-19 market crisis and the restructuring process.