Swissport has announced it will be investing roughly 11 million EUR into the purchase of a slew of new electric vehicles, as well as employ 400 former Alitalia staff.
The Swiss company plans to increase the number of electric vehicles operating in its fleet to at least 55% by the end of 2032.
New electric vehicles set to begin enter operation include aircraft tractors, passenger buses, baggage belts, cargo loaders and transporters. In addition to the new vehicles, Swissport’s existing fleet of baggage tractors has also been revamped, with 50 electric tractors operational at Fiumicino and a further 70 set for delivery before Summer.
The company recently opened its new Fiumicinio operations centre, which is located at the site. The new facility, which is run by dedicated Swissport employees, acts as a central hub for both management and coordination.
Marina Bottelli, Managing Director of Swissport in Italy, said:Our investment in fleet modernisation and infrastructure upgrades aligns with our commitment to deliver market-leading handling services to our 30+ airline customers at Fiumicino.
As the global sector leader, we also continuously invest in a more environmentally friendly operation. Swissport will further increase the share of electrically powered vehicles in its fleet to at least 55 percent by 2032. Longer term, we are committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by latest 2050.
With a workforce of roughly 2,300, Swissport also intends to integrate a further 400 additional former Alitalia employees currently on administrative leave, following agreements reached with union representatives in July 2022. A formal decision on the retention of staff is expected to be made by the end of March 2024.
