ZURICH — Aviation services company Swissport has appointed BCW as its first multi-disciplinary, global partner for PR, public affairs and crisis communications.

Swissport had previously worked with various local and regional PR partners. After a global tender process that included leading international PR firms, Swissport's international PR and PA activities will now be consolidated under a global umbrella contract with BCW.

The aim of the move is to better align all Swissport’s communications and PA strategy and activities, with consistent messaging around the world and execution tailored for local markets.

Swissport is the world's leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, with around 48,000 employees. It is active at 287 airports in 45 countries, and in 2021 provided airport ground services for some 97 million airline passengers (pre-Covid, this was 265 million) and handled roughly 5.1 million tons of air freight at more than 120 air cargo centres worldwide.

Working closely with local teams, the Swissport group communications team and BCW Switzerland will coordinate the partnership from Zurich, where Swissport is headquartered.

The brief covers integrated public relations and public affairs as well as crisis communications, and includes sustainability/ESG communications counsel. BCW will support and advise Swissport on strategic PR/PA matters, media and stakeholder management and issues monitoring.

Swissport International’s VP and head of group communications and brand management, Christoph Meier, said: “We were looking for a communications partner and a structure that allows us to swiftly respond to any media issues and to proactively take advantage of opportunities with coordinated global messaging.

“With the BCW team in Zurich as a central point of contact, round-the-clock access to the global BCW network, specialist centres of expertise and local country teams, we feel very well equipped to deal with any eventuality.”

BCW president for Europe and Africa Scott Wilson added: “The collaboration with Swissport is a great opportunity to demonstrate the strength and expertise of our global network at such an exciting time when travel returns to full strength.”