Etihad Airways. Photo: Miguel Lagoa / Shutterstock.com After announcing the launch of the new Etihad Escapes platform that will let passengers add hotels and travel services to their flight bookings at the Arabian Travel Market 2026, the UAE's national airline Etihad Airways has fresh news from the fair.
The company has announced that it will expand its partnership with Swissport, the world’s largest provider of aviation services by revenue, adding 10 more airports to the ground handling and cargo services provided by the aviation services company.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Dubai event, expanding Swissport’s work with Etihad from 30 airports to 40. The partnership will cover locations across Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Swissport. Photo: Cineberg / Shutterstock.comThe agreement comes amid Etihad's ongoing expansion of its international network. Under the new framework, the airline and Swissport will work together on ground handling and cargo services, with the possibility of adding airport hospitality through Swissport’s Aspire lounge brand.
Aspire operates 110 airport lounges worldwide, giving the partnership room to extend beyond traditional ground handling as Etihad adds more destinations.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, said having one partner across 40 airports would help the airline maintain consistent standards as its network grows.
“Etihad is expanding at pace, and each new destination we add depends on the right standard of service being in place on the ground before the first flight arrives,” Al Marzouqi said.
He added that working with Swissport across Europe, Asia and North America could help Etihad improve operational efficiency and service quality while supporting its future expansion.
Swissport President and CEO Warwick Brady said the two companies share a focus on operational performance and customer service.
“Etihad is embarking on an exciting phase of growth, and Swissport is proud to support that journey with our global network, our teams’ operational expertise and our technology capabilities,” Brady said.
Technology will also play a role in the expanded partnership. Etihad and Swissport plan to explore the use of automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven tools to improve airport operations and service delivery.
Swissport’s work with autonomous ground vehicles is among the technologies that could support the partnership as the two companies look at ways to make airport operations safer and more efficient.
The MoU is intended to provide a longer-term framework that can be expanded with additional airports and services as Etihad’s network develops.