Swissport serves 50% of foreign airlines in Saudi, targets 16 airports: CEO

Hamad Alhemede, Swissport Saudi Arabia CEO , expects the Saudi aviation industry to remain on a strong growth path this year

Saudi Arabia’s ground handling sector is estimated to be approximately SAR 3 billion in 2025, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing aviation support markets in the region, Swissport Saudi Arabia CEO Hamad Alhemede told Argaam.

“This growth is fuelled by rising passenger volumes, expanding cargo operations, and ambitious national aviation targets under Vision 2030,” he said.

Swissport has firmly established itself as the leading partner for international airlines in the Kingdom, serving over 50% of all foreign carriers operating in Saudi Arabia, Alhemede said.

This milestone underlines the confidence global airlines place in Swissport’s ability to deliver safe, efficient, and world-class services, he added.

“Our rapid growth from six airports in early 2024 to 13 by mid-2025, with a target of 16 by year-end, is proof of the scale and momentum we have built.”

As Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector accelerates under Vision 2030, Swissport is not only expanding its footprint but also setting new benchmarks in operational excellence and customer satisfaction, the CEO said.

Swissport handles more than 100,000 flights annually in Saudi Arabia, delivering consistent, high-quality ground handling and cargo services, he stated.

Alhemede also highlighted that Swissport currently partners with more than 50 airlines in the Kingdom, spanning both regional and global carriers.

The Saudi aviation industry is expected to remain on a strong growth path this year.

“With continued government investment in airports, new routes and tourism marketing underway, passenger traffic will likely climb even higher. The growth of airlines such as Saudia, Riyadh Air, Flyadeal and Flynas, combined with the increase in international travellers for business and leisure, will also fuel this expansion,” Alhemede said.

The CEO noted that the sector is set for strong and sustained growth, as Vision 2030 outlines ambitious targets to increase annual air passenger traffic to 330 million by 2030.

The momentum is already visible, as Saudi airports handled 128 million passengers, a 15% year-on-year increase in 2024.

“With the expansion of national carriers, continuous airport infrastructure upgrades, and the development of entirely new airports, we expect demand for ground handling services to grow significantly. This environment not only intensifies competition but also creates opportunities for high-quality service providers like Swissport to form strategic partnerships, introduce innovative solutions and capture additional market share,” Alhemede said.

Swissport’s commitment to the Kingdom goes far beyond expanding the company’s airport footprint.

“We are actively diversifying our services to better support our airline partners and enhance the passenger journey. We are preparing to extend our portfolio into line maintenance services, complementing our core ground handling and cargo operations,” Alhemede said.

He stated that Swissport was heavily investing in initiatives that improve passenger flow and satisfaction, such as the “Passenger with No Bag” program, led by the Ministry of Hajj, which aims to streamline baggage handling for millions of pilgrims.

He disclosed that Swissport will soon launch a pilot of its latest technology platform, “Matchbox”, across Saudi airports, which is designed to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate inadmissible passenger (INAD) cases.

“By doing so, we will help airlines, airports, and passengers alike improve operational efficiency for our partners, while ensuring travellers have a better and more seamless experience.”

Swissport Saudi Arabia works closely with Swissport Labs, the innovation engine of Swissport International, which provides turnkey solutions that enhance operations for the company’s own stations and airline partners worldwide.

Alhemede said that the Swissport Training Academy is a key enabler of the company’s performance, as the academy equips its workforce with the latest skills and knowledge in safety, customer service, and operational excellence through structured training programs, simulation-based learning, and continuous development initiatives.

“We ensure our staff are prepared to meet the highest international standards,” he concluded.