In 2026, Africa will have been a part of Swissport International AG’s journey for 30 years. President & CEO of the company, Warwick Brady, stated his South African routes make this connection personal and that he is proud to play a central role in global trade, creating more jobs and more sustainable practices.
What is Swissport International AG?
Swissport International AG is the world’s leading independent provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling.
The company offers a wide range of aviation support, such as baggage handling, fuelling, aircraft maintenance and cargo logistics for airlines globally. They also operate at hundreds of airports across dozens of countries, serving hundreds of airlines and millions of passengers annually.
In 2024, Swissport International AG provided best-in-class airport ground services for 247 million airline passengers. They also handled roughly 5 million tonnes of air freight at 117 air cargo centres worldwide.
This company acts as the vital link that enables airlines to focus on their core operations while ensuring aircraft turnarounds and cargo movements are handled safely, reliably, and efficiently.
30 Years in Africa
Swissport is also a major ground handling and cargo services provider in Africa, operating at 29 airports across six countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Morocco.
They offer passenger, ramp, baggage, and crucial cold-chain logistics for perishables like flowers and pharmaceuticals, supporting Africa’s growing trade with efficient, high-tech operations.
Chief Executive Officer Warwick Brady stated:
We’re proud of our deep roots in Africa – but even after three decades, the best is yet to come.
This 30-year milestone signifies deep market commitment. This enables crucial infrastructure development and job creation, and it boosts key sectors such as horticulture by creating efficient supply chains.
By leveraging Africa’s fast-growing economies and fostering local talent, this makes it a major player in connecting African producers to global trade through sustainable, high-tech logistics.
This longevity allows for implementing high standards such as electric ground support equipment (GSE) and solar power. Therefore, it aligns with global sustainability goals in African operations.
Horticultural Importance
Swissport is critical for the horticultural industry, particularly the global flower trade. It provides specialised, end-to-end cool chain logistics and air cargo handling services that preserve the freshness, quality, and shelf life of highly perishable goods during transit.
Key reasons for Swissport’s importance:
- Integrated cold chain infrastructure
- Specialised “Flower Corridor”
- Rapid handling and reduced transit times
- Sustainability
- Global network and local expertise
- Industry certification and compliance
CEO, Warwick Brady, has stated that:
In Nairobi, I saw how one of our 17 cargo hubs connect African producers to the world. About 85% of the cargo there is horticultural, including flowers.
Swissport’s horticulture logistics in Africa are therefore, crucial for connecting African flower producers (especially from Kenya) to European markets and it is vital for economic growth.
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