Air New Zealand has announced it is no longer proceeding with its intention to outsource ground handling operations to the joint venture established between Swissport International and Transfield Services New Zealand, opting for an in-house solution instead.
Zurich/Auckland – In October 2006, the Swissport/Transfield joint venture was selected as ‘Preferred Tenderer’ to take on Air New Zealand’s outsourced passenger and ramp services at Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington international airports.
The proposed contract was for 10 years – taking responsibility for approximately 1,700 staff.
Following months of extensive consultations with the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, Air New Zealand has decided on an in-house solution after successfully pressuring the EPMU union into accepting terms and conditions that are similar to those proposed by the Swissport/Transfield consortium.
“In a market as fiercely competitive as the air transport sector, a motivated workforce, tight cost control, as well as service- and efficiency enhancements are key factors of success and were at the heart of our proposal to Air New Zealand” says Peter Kohl, VP Corporate Development Asia/Pacific. “Despite the decision, we are looking to expand our constructive relationship with Air New Zealand and continue to seek out attractive business opportunities for Swissport to grow in the Asia/Pacific region”.
On a worldwide basis, Swissport is currently managing a dozen of regional, multinational or global agreements (including outsourcing packages) in a successful way. Such kind of cooperations are proving – once more – that these contracting models are setting the trend for an easier and more cost efficient purchasing process.