Swissport Kenya and NCBA launch 10,000-tree reforestation drive in Kiambu. Swissport Kenya and NCBA have teamed up to plant 10,000 trees at Uplands Forest Station, kicking off with 5,000 seedlings and pledging ongoing planting over the coming months. Swissport Kenya and NCBA announced a joint reforestation initiative aimed at planting 10,000 trees at Uplands Forest Station in Kiambu County as part of Kenya's climate action agenda. The launch event brought together Swissport staff, NCBA representatives, the Kenya Forest Service and local community members to collectively restore forest cover. NCBA supplied the 10,000 tree seedlings, with an initial batch of 5,000 planted during the ceremony and the remainder slated for phased planting in the months ahead. The tree-growing effort is a component of Swissport Kenya's Green Skies Kenya programme, which seeks to translate corporate responsibility into tangible environmental action. NCBA's contribution aligns with its Change The Story sustainability platform, which targets the planting of 10 million trees nationwide by 2030 and has already delivered over 2 million trees through various partnerships. Swissport's chief executive, Racheal Ndegwa, highlighted the company's belief that responsible business includes active support for community and environmental projects, citing the tree drive as a concrete example of that commitment. NCBA's head of group sustainability, Ann Nderi, emphasized that tackling environmental challenges requires collaborative, long-term action and described the 10,000-seedling donation as part of the bank's broader stewardship agenda. Both organisations framed the partnership as a model for private-sector involvement in Kenya's forest restoration, encouraging employees, partners and the wider public to adopt tree-planting and sustainable practices beyond the event.

Swissport Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Air partner to establish the Kingdom's first centralised Load Control centre. * Swissport and Riyadh Air are establishing Saudi Arabia's first Centralized Load Control (CLC) centre in Riyadh, expected to be operational within eight months. It will provide load planning, weight and balance calculations and load documentation for Riyadh Air's domestic and international network. * The partnership will combine Swissport's global systems and operational experience with Saudi talent, with Swissport Academy providing structured training in load planning, weight and balance and related processes. The centre will also expand Swissport Saudi Arabia's aviation services portfolio. * The initiative is designed to strengthen Riyadh Air's operational capabilities as it builds its global network, while contributing to Saudi Arabia's wider aviation transformation. Swissport already employs more than 6,000 people at 20 airports across the Kingdom. Swissport and Riyadh Air have entered into a long-term strategic partnership to establish the Kingdom's first Centralized Load Control (CLC) center in Riyadh. Expected to be operational within eight months, the center will provide centralized load planning, weight and balance calculations and load documentation for Riyadh Air flights across its domestic and international network. Centralizing these activities in Saudi Arabia will provide a dedicated capability to support Riyadh Air as it builds its global network. The partnership will combine Swissport's global operational expertise with Riyadh Air's growth ambitions, while creating opportunities to develop Saudi talent in this highly specialized area of aviation. Both companies will invest in knowledge transfer and skills development to establish a sustainable local capability. Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India and Global Cargo Chair, Swissport, said: "Riyadh Air is building a new generation of aviation in Saudi Arabia, and we are pleased to support that ambition through this strategic partnership. Establishing the Kingdom's first Centralized Load Control center brings specialized aviation expertise closer to the airline's operations while creating opportunities for Saudi professionals to build skills in an important area of flight operations." Hamad Alhemede, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia, said: "This partnership is an important step in developing specialized aviation expertise in the Kingdom. We will combine Swissport's global standards and experience with local talent, supported by Swissport Academy, to build a strong team capable of operating the center and supporting Riyadh Air's growing network from Saudi Arabia." Pankaj Handa VP Ground Operations at Riyadh Air, said: "At Riyadh Air, we are building a global airline from the Kingdom, and we believe achieving that ambition starts with developing strong and sustainable operational capabilities here at home. Our partnership with Swissport Saudi Arabia is an important step in developing specialized expertise and strengthening local capabilities in a critical area of airline operations, supporting the growth of our global network and our ambitions for the future. The value of this partnership goes beyond the delivery of operational services. It is about transferring knowledge, developing capabilities and contributing to the wider aviation ecosystem in the Kingdom as the sector continues its rapid transformation." Building specialised aviation expertise in Saudi Arabia Centralized Load Control is a specialized function within airline operations, responsible for planning aircraft loads and ensuring weight and balance requirements are met before departure. Centralizing these activities enables specialist expertise and consistent processes to support flights across an airline's network. The Riyadh center will operate in line with Swissport's global systems, procedures and operational standards. Through Swissport Academy, Saudi professionals will have access to structured learning pathways and training in load planning, weight and balance and related operational processes. The new center also adds Centralized Load Control to Swissport Saudi Arabia's portfolio of aviation services and creates a platform for developing further load control capabilities in the future. Supporting Saudi Arabia's aviation growth Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major transformation of its aviation sector under Vision 2030, with significant investment in infrastructure, connectivity and the development of a broader aviation ecosystem. As the Kingdom's new national carrier, Riyadh Air is central to these ambitions, with plans to connect Saudi Arabia with destinations around the world and strengthen Riyadh's position as a global aviation gateway. Swissport has operated in Saudi Arabia for 10 years and today employs more than 6,000 aviation professionals, serving customers at 20 airports across the Kingdom. The company's continued expansion reflects its long-term commitment to supporting the development of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector. The partnership builds on this presence, bringing together Riyadh Air's network ambitions, Swissport's global expertise and Saudi talent to develop a new specialized aviation capability in the Kingdom. Edward Hardy is Head of Editorial at Air Cargo Week, leading an international team of journalists, overseeing the publication's editorial vision across print, digital and multimedia platforms, directing coverage of the global air cargo and logistics sector and providing insight into the trends, challenges and developments shaping the industry. Got news to share? Contact me on [email protected] AI driving global trade amid tariffs and conflict states report. September 2026 parts data: scarcity spreads beyond a single engine cluster.

Swissport commences new cargo operation at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. * Swissport is entering the French market with a new cargo operation at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. * A new 3,000m^2 cargo warehouse will support operations, with a 1,000 m^2 French customs zone and 2,000 m^2 of international handling space for the build-up and breakdown of airline pallets. Swissport is expanding its European presence with the launch of Swissport Cargo Services France at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. The new 3,000 m^2 cargo warehouse in the French sector marks Swissport's return to the French market and creates a platform for future growth. Swissport, the world's leading provider of airport ground services, air cargo handling and airport hospitality, has launched a new cargo operation in the French sector of EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. The new warehouse provides 3,000 m^2 of cargo handling space, including a 1,000 m^2 French customs zone and 2,000 m^2 of international handling space for the build-up and breakdown of airline pallets. Initially, Swissport Cargo Services France will focus on airline cargo handling activities. While operating as an independent entity for the French market, the new operation will work closely with Swissport's established Basel cargo operation, benefiting from its expertise and Swissport's global standards in safety, quality and operational excellence. "France is an important aviation market with significant long-term potential for Swissport,"The launch of Swissport Cargo Services France marks a significant step in strengthening its presence in the country. Beyond cargo, Air Cargo Inc. see opportunities to bring its global expertise in airport ground services and hospitality to the French market and to build strong, long-term partnerships with airlines and airports," " said Bruno Stefani, Regional CEO Switzerland, Italy and France at Swissport. "The new operation allows us to build on the strong expertise of our established Basel cargo team while developing a dedicated presence in France," said Andreas Behnke, Head of Cargo Switzerland, Italy and France and Station Manager Basel-Mulhouse at Swissport. "Our focus is on bringing the same commitment to teamwork, safety and operational excellence to our new operation and providing a strong foundation for its future development." The launch strengthens Swissport's European cargo network, which forms part of a global network of more than 120 cargo centers now including the binational airport. Worldwide, Swissport handles over five million tonnes of air freight annually, combining global scale and standardised processes with local operational expertise.