Nashville, Tennessee, May 31, 2006---PrimeFlight Aviation Services, the leading provider of ground and ramp aviation services for the airline industry, has been awarded the contract for baggage handling services at the baggage security checkpoints throughout Orlando International Airport, according to Keith Wolken, chairman of parent company SMS Holdings.
The multi-year contract covers baggage handling and queue services at the airport, the busiest airport in Florida. The services are designed to free existing security screeners from the loading and handling services at the security points, with the goal of shortening the lines and improving the overall security process. The contract is valued at $1.8 million and includes three one-year options. Service begins on May 15, 2006 and will involve 90 employees.
In announcing the contract Wolken stated that he is pleased to see the company’s services expand into a new area. “This expansion of our services provides solid growth for us and a significant benefit to the traveling public in and out of Orlando. We are pleased to be working alongside the Transportation Security Administration in the delivery of this important benefit to the Orlando airport.”
PrimeFlight currently provides a range of ramp and ground handling services for most of the major airlines in over 50 airports. It is part of SMS Holdings, also based in Nashville, the parent company for a diverse group of operating companies providing facility and security management services in the shopping center, hospitality and airline industries. In addition to PrimeFlight this includes: Service Management Systems, which provides housekeeping services for shopping malls, airports and hospitality locations; Valor Security Services, which provides security services to the shopping center industry; and FirstLine Transportation Security which provides pre-board airline passenger and luggage screening services in Kansas City International Airport.
SMS Holdings, founded in Nashville in 1988 currently provides services to over 385 facilities in 45 states and employs more than 12,000 individuals.
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