• 15.03.2006

Swissport Cargo Services' largest Air Freight Terminal opens for business in Singapore

Singapore, March 15, 2006 - Following a soft-launch in February, Swissport's brand-new cargo warehouse officially opens for business today with an inaugural ceremony at Singapore Changi Airport . The impressive 17,600 sqm Air Freight Terminal features state-of-the-art technology and will increase Changi Airport 's cargo handling capacity to 3 million tons per year.

"The official inauguration of the warehouse marks a milestone for Swissport to become a significant player in Singapore 's growing cargo market" says Mr. Peter Kohl, Board Director of Swissport Singapore . "With an initial capacity of 200,000 tons and future expansion potential to 400,000, this Air Freight Terminal is the largest such facility in Swissport's global station network of 175 airports. As such, it will play a vital part in our plans of growing the ground-handling business in Singapore as well as the region".

Dr. Ludwig Bertsch, Executive Vice President Cargo at Swissport International is equally pleased: "We are delighted to announce the opening of the Swissport warehouse, which will strengthen our foothold in Singapore as well as in Asia . Merely 1 year after commencing operations, Swissport has earned itself a firm place among ground-handlers at Changi Airport with excellent prospects for growth".

Mr Teo Ming Kian, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board said:
 "The addition of an international player such as Swissport will enhance
the competitiveness of our ground handling industry.The increased service offerings provided to the air cargo industry would also reinforce our efforts to develop Singapore as a leading global logistics hub and Supply Chain Management nerve centre."

The warehouse shell had been constructed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), with Swissport investing an additional USD 10 million in a fully-automated, state-of-the-art material handling system and other infrastructure to guarantee the safe and high-speed processing of air cargo. The construction and fit out of the facility took almost 18 months to complete.

The opening of the Air Freight Terminal marks Swissport's emergence as a full-fledged ground-handling company at Changi Airport less than 1 year after commencing passenger- and ramp handling operations. Launch customers in the new warehouse include Swiss World Cargo, Adam Air, Thai Air Asia, and Cardig Air, with many more airlines having indicated strong interest to use the facility. Adds Mr. Chariatte, Managing Director of Swissport Singapore : "We are in advanced negotiations with a number of prospective customer airlines, with some contracts already agreed in principle. 2006 will be a very good year for Swissport Singapore ". Since commencing operations in March 2005, Swissport Singapore has won contracts from Swiss International Air Lines, Thai Air Asia, Adam Air, Australian Airlines, Swiss World Cargo, Tiger Airways, and Cardig Air.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

At the heart of Swissport Singapore 's Air Freight Terminal is a fully automated ULD storage and handling system equipped with the latest IT technology. In its final stage, the ULD system will have 250 ULD (10ft) storage positions, located on a 15 meter high 4 tier steel rack, serviced by two fully automated ETV's (Elevating Transfer Vehicle).

A maximum of seven 10ft and one 20ft scissor lift workstations are connected to -and are an integral part of- the ULD system.

Two double by-pass lanes allow the weighing, manifesting and transfer of ULD's directly to the airside trailers, by-passing the entire ULD storage system for maximum speed. Apart from two integrated cold-room positions within the ULD storage system, one with a +5 degree C and the other with a -18 degree C environment, there are additional cold- and special rooms. These special rooms, namely for perishables, dangerous goods, valuables (incl. vault), explosives & arms, human remains and live animals, enable Swissport Singapore to handle all types of air cargo without exceptions.

On the IT-controlled warehouse floor, slave pallet movers and forklifts are used by build-up and breakdown crews. Based on an open-workspace concept, the warehouse floor is clustered into a logistics grid in which handheld RF terminals keep track of all movements, be it individual airway bills or entire ULD's. Apart from the ULD system and special rooms, shipments can be stored in manual pallet racks, automated mini-shipment towers, or simply on the floor-grid. On the landside, the truck ramp features 16 truck docks, each equipped with a dock leveler to facilitate the acceptance and release of shipments. Identification and weighing on the build-in floor scales of each shipment is performed prior to the shipment entering the inside of the warehouse.

For the direct delivery and dispatch of pre-build ULD's, a 20ft scissor lift roller-deck truck dock has been integrated into the truck ramp area complete with weighing and data-entry capability. Conveniently located on the truck ramp itself is a 'One-Stop' Documentation Center , where export and import documents are processed. Above the entire length of the truck ramp are two mezzanine floors for customer offices and Swissport Singapore 's very own regional headquarters and management offices.

SWISSPORT SINGAPORE BUSINESS CONTACTS

For inquiries or questions, kindly contact Swissport Singapore 's Managing Director, Mr. Marc Chariatte, as follows:

Marc-Antoine Chariatte
121, Airport Cargo Road
Singapore 819480

Ph: +65 63 89 91 00
Fax: +65 67 86 32 08
E-mail marc.chariatte@swissport.com

With a workforce of around 21 000 personnel, Swissport International Ltd. (which is owned by Ferrovial, a leading European infrastructure and service corporation based in Spain) provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and three million tones of cargo a year on behalf of some 600 client companies. Swissport is active at 175 airports in 41 countries on five continents, and generated consolidated revenues of around CHF 1.5 billion (EUR 950 million or USD 1.2 billion) last year. www.swissport.com

Swissport handles its first flight in Singapore – four months earlier than planned

By:Swissport International Ltd. Corporate Communications

Zurich/Singapore, March 2, 2005

Swissport commenced its operations at Singapore’s Changi Airport today, becoming the airport’s third ground handling provider. The new activities had been scheduled to commence in July; but, with intensive preparatory efforts, the original starting date has been brought forward a full four months.

So far, only two ground services companies have been operating at Singapore’s reputed Changi Airport. In issuing a third ground handling licence, the airport authority hopes to help ensure a more competitive market – a development that should be welcomed by all airline customers. For Swissport, today’s commencement of its new operation marks a further step in the group’s current expansion strategy – and a momentous one, given Singapore’s importance among airlines as a strong and still-growing air transport hub.

Swissport is also delighted to commence its operations at Singapore so far ahead of schedule. “Today, we take the first step towards becoming a significant player in the Singapore ground-handling market” says Peter Kohl, Managing Director of Swissport Singapore. “With a firm commitment to delivering high-quality ground-handling services at competitive rates, we are well positioned to succeed in the market. My gratitude goes to Swiss International Air Lines, our launching customer, as well as to the dedicated management team at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, whose invaluable support and assistance have allowed us to commence operations four months ahead of schedule.”

Swissport’s new licence at Changi is valid for ten years and covers passenger, baggage and cargo handling services. Swissport is currently in negotiations with further possible airline customers.

With a workforce of some 21 000 personnel, Swissport International Ltd. (which is majority-owned by London-based Candover Partners Ltd., a leading European buyout specialist) provides ground services for over 70 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 600 client companies. Swissport is active at 165 airports in 36 countries on five continents, and generated consolidated revenues of some CHF 1.4 billion (around USD 1.2 billion) last year.