Swissport International (Swissport), the world´s largest provider of ground and cargo handling services to the aviation industry, today announced the expansion of their award winning global airport lounge portfolio. Three newly developed Aspire airport lounges are set to open over the coming weeks at key locations around the globe, further adding to the established network of Aspire Lounges throughout the UK and Europe.
The first to open its doors is the brand new Aspire Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on 17 December 2014. Building on the success of the other Aspire Lounges within Swissport’s portfolio, the new lounge at AMS benefits from contemporary design elements, comfortable surroundings, a great selection of food and beverages and a fantastic view of the busy airfield. The bespoke, newly built lounge is part of Schiphol’s overall redevelopment of the international terminal with Swissport being involved from the initial design stage, ensuring a world class lounge is available to passengers departing from and transiting through the busy European hub airport.
In addition, the already successful Aspire Lounge in Helsinki undergoing an extension, which sees the lounge enlarged to 414 m2 with an additional 50 seats, taking overall capacity to 170 guests. The extension also sees the existing facility refreshed with an enlarged and enhanced food and beverage area offering a fantastic range of snacks such as Carelian Pies – a local pastry delicacy.
Furthermore, the expansion will see the first Aspire Lounge open in Africa at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, before the end of 2014. Located conveniently in the International Departure Terminal 1B, the lounge brings new levels of comfort and design in which passengers can relax, work or simply have a drink and something to eat before their flight. Guests will be able to choose from a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, healthy food and snacks and have access to complimentary WiFi and international newspapers and magazines.
Shaun Weston, Travel Services Director for Swissport commented: “We are delighted to be bringing two brand new Aspire Lounges, including the first on the African continent, to the market and expanding another at Helsinki. The Aspire brand has been well received by guests in the UK and Europe since the launch of the first Aspire Lounge in early 2012. The expansion at Helsinki along with the introduction of the brand at Amsterdam and Nairobi means more guests can experience great facilities, contemporary surroundings and superb customer service. We look forward to the continuing expansion of Aspire airport lounges around the world.”
Swissport International Ltd. provides ground services for around 224 million passengers and handles 4.1 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 700 client-companies in the aviation sector. With a workforce of around 55,000 personnel, Swissport is active at more than 265 stations in 45 countries across five continents, and generates consolidated operating revenue of CHF 3.0 billion.www.swissport.com
