Swissport plans 100 jobs at Belfast International Airport

Aviation ground handling services company Swissport plans to create 100 new jobs at Belfast International Airport.

The company has decided to increase its operations at the airport following Ryanair’s decision to open a new base at Belfast International Airport (BIA) from March and initially operate a four times daily service to London Gatwick.

The airline says it intends to grow its operations to three aircraft and five more routes which it believes will deliver one million new customers for the airport each year.

Last week the security company ICTS also confirmed that it also plans to recruit a further 40 people at BIA.

According to the airport the Swissport expansion could be worth more than £1.6 million in annual salaries to the local economy.

Jean Foster, Swissport manager, said the 100 additional jobs will include new positions in several areas of activity including passenger check-in and baggage and freight handling.

“Swissport is clearly delighted with the growth in passenger numbers at the International,” she said. “There will be a significant increase in the number of aircraft movements and that means greater demand for the wide range of services we provide.

“This expansion will see us confirmed as the single biggest employer on the site. This year, we expect to see double-digit growth in passengers and that’s powering our rapid expansion plans.”

Meanwhile Alan Whiteside, BIA's operations director said the new jobs are "demand-driven".

“The fact that they do not depend on a single penny of support from the Government means we’re seeing a win-win for the wider economy and the taxpayer.

“This airport has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new businesses if Ministers gave the sector the relatively small levels of support it needs to attract new airlines and open new routes,” Mr Whiteside added.