News

Servisair handler of choice for VivaAerobus at Houston Intercontinental (IAH)

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair has been selected as ground handler of choice for VivaAerobus at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The new contract is effective with the first day of service, July 1st 2010, with Servisair providing both ramp and passenger services for the Monterrey, Mexico based carrier.

Houston is the second location in the U.S. for VivaAerobus after Las Vegas (LAS) began last summer, also handled by Servisair. Commenting on this new success, Mike Reno, Regional Business Director for Servisair, said “We are pleased to build upon our relationship with VivaAerobus at Las Vegas by adding this new city. The additional business confirms both our growth strategy and high quality service delivery at IAH.”

Servisair selected by Avianca for Miami International Airport

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is honoured to have been selected by Colombian flag-carrier Avianca to handle their flights at Miami International Airport. The contract is effective as of June 1st 2010 and Servisair expects to be handling 42 weekly flights for Avianca in Miami.

This multi-year contract follows the award to Servisair of Avianca’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport operation in November 2009.

Commenting on this new success, Randy Davies, Servisair’s Executive Vice President, said: “We are extremely excited to have been selected by Avianca. We have a very diversified portfolio at Miami International Airport, employing more than 350 people and providing services to twelve international scheduled carriers and eight charter operators. This award reaffirms Servisair leadership in competitive, quality ground handling. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Avianca.”

Servisair Extends British Airways Contract - Stansted

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is pleased to confirm that following a highly competitive tender process, it has renewed its contract to provide both cargo warehousing and freighter handling for British Airways at London Stansted.

The contract extends a long and successful partnership between both companies at Stansted which dates back to 1997 when BA first started their freighter operation at the airport.

The agreement covers the handling of approximately 1,000 tonnes of cargo per week for BA’s ten B747-400 freighter flights which serve a range of global destinations.

Commenting on the renewal, Mohammed Akhlaq, VP Business Development, Servisair Cargo said “we’re delighted to have renewed the contract with BA and look forward to continuing to deliver a high quality cargo handling service to them.”

Jude Winstanley, Head of Network and Freighters for British Airways added “Stansted is a key part of our cargo operation, so it’s important that we work with a dependable and experienced handling partner. We are all very pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Servisair and to collectively provide a good product to the market.”

Servisair Appointed as Emirates' Handling Partner For New Amsterdam Service

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is very pleased to confirm that it has secured a multi year contract to provide full ground handling and lounge services for Emirates at Amsterdam Airport.

The contract comes into effect on the 1st May 2010, with the launch of the carrier’s new daily scheduled service between the Dutch capital and its Dubai base, operated by B777-200LR aircraft.

Commenting on the appointment of Servisair, Allen Nicholas, Regional Manager Airport Services, Emirates said “As a new entrant into the passenger market at Amsterdam it was important that we selected a reliable and safe handling partner, who could consistently deliver high service levels to match our product. We look forward to working with Servisair at Amsterdam and to offering our passengers a new location within our extensive network.”

Darren Harding, Vice President Business Development, Servisair added, “The award of this contract represents a prestigious addition to our customer base in Amsterdam and strengthens the long established partnership that we enjoy with Emirates.”

Servisair Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo cement partnership with multi year UK renewal

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo have cemented their long established partnership with the renewal of a multi year cargo handling and trucking contract at regional stations in the UK.

The contract which came into effect on the 1st March 2010 covers on-line cargo handling at 5 regional airports into which Emirates flies - Birmingham, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle, plus off line handling and trucking throughout UK and Ireland.

The agreement compliments the existing partnership between both parties at London Heathrow, where Servisair Cargo has provided handling for Emirates SkyCargo since the launch of Servisair Cargo’s impressive flagship facility in 2006.

Commenting on the renewal, Mohammed Akhlaq, VP Business Development, Servisair Cargo said “The award of this contract reflects the dedication and high quality performance delivered to Emirates SkyCargo by our team each and every day. We are proud to be Emirates SkyCargo’s key strategic handling partner throughout the UK and look forward to continuing to build on this collaboration in the future.”

Phil Rawlings, Cargo Manager UK and Ireland, Emirates SkyCargo added “We have a very strong and highly reputed product in the marketplace, so it’s important that we work with suppliers that reflect this quality. Servisair Cargo has a proven track record in delivering a first class service, so it was a natural progression to extend our partnership.”

Mexicana Chooses Servisair at McCarran International Airport - Las Vegas

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is proud to announce that Mexicana has selected Servisair as the preferred supplier of Ground Handling Services at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS). The official start-up date was April 1st 2010. The multi-year contract covers full passenger and ramp handling services for the carrier's flights to Mexico.

Randy Davies, Executive Vice President USA for Servisair commented: "We would like to thank Mexicana for choosing and placing their trust in Servisair for such an important contract. Las Vegas is now the fourth location where we provide Ground Handling Services to Mexicana. This testifies to the strength of our mutual relationship and our commitment to quality aviation services".

Servisair has operated at McCarran International Airport since 2000, and provides Ramp, Passenger and GSE & Building Maintenance Services to over twenty (20) domestic and international airline customers.

Servisair Extends Multi Million Euro Thomson Airways Agreement - UK

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair has announced that it has reached agreement with Thomson Airways to extend their ground handling contract covering 19 locations across the United Kingdom until 2013.

Following an extensive and highly competitive tender process involving all the key UK ground handling agents, Servisair was successful in being awarded the contracts to provide Thomson Airways Ground Handling Services at Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster, East Midlands, Glasgow and Manchester as well as a number of non base stations, commencing 1st April 2010.

The contract to provide ground handling for Thomson Airways’ 36,000 aircraft movements per year is one of the handler’s largest single pieces of business within the UK. Its renewal will generate estimated revenues of €60 million over its 3 year duration.

Carl Gissing, Director Customer Services, for Thomson Airways commented:

“As our ground handling agents are an extension of our frontline employees and another ‘face’ of Thomson Airways, it is essential that we as an airline constantly strive to acquire supplier partnerships that understand our business values and provide outstanding and efficient service to our customers, all the while delivering value to our bottom line.

These multi million pound contracts will not only provide excellent safety and operational performance for the Airline, but will also allow us to build on the extremely successful ‘Be A Great Partner’ programme started in 2009, which has seen a significant rise in Customer Satisfaction Scores following the joint training days carried out with their customer facing staff last year.

We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership over the coming years.”

Commenting, Darren Harding, Vice President Business Development, Servisair said:

“We are delighted to extend our relationship with Thomson Airways. We have worked closely with Thomson Airways over a number of years to build an enviable partnership that delivers high levels of safety and quality in what truly is a dynamic business. During 2009 we were pleased to support the Thomson Airways “Be SPECIAL” initiative that was aimed at delivering memorable service to the customers travelling on Thomson and First Choice holidays and which achieved excellent results. It is our aim to continue to build on this success and further improve the holiday experience enjoyed by these Thomson customers.”

Servisair Wins Kuwait Airways Ground Handling Contract - Heathrow

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is pleased to announce that it has won the contract to provide ground handling for Kuwait Airways at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4, effective 14th April 2010.

The multi-year contract covers full passenger and ramp handling for the carrier’s daily flights to Kuwait and their three transiting flights to New York. The routes are operated by B772, A342 and A343 aircraft.

Commenting on the new business, Darren Harding, Vice President Business Development, Servisair said “Following many months of discussions, we are delighted that Kuwait Airways have decided to join us at Terminal 4 in Heathrow. We look to a very successful partnership for many years to come.”

Servisair Secures Virgin Atlantic Airways Contract

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is pleased to confirm that it has secured a minimum two year contract to provide full passenger and ramp handling services to Virgin Atlantic Airways at Glasgow Airport starting with the commencement of their seasonal schedule in April 2010.

Virgin Atlantic operates a summer B747 service to Orlando and represents a prestigious addition to Servisair’s growing customer base at the airport.

Commenting, Darren Harding, Vice President Business Development, Servisair said, “This represents the start of an exciting new partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Servisair, building on the experience we have gained overseas. The commencement of this partnership demonstrates the confidence that Virgin Atlantic places in Servisair to deliver safe, high quality ground handling.”

Servisair Secures Ryanair Contract

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is pleased to confirm that it has secured a multi-year contract to provide ground-handling services to Ryanair at 12 locations across the UK, effective 1st January 2010.

The deal covers the provision of full passenger and ramp handling for 26 based aircraft across 6 locations at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands and Liverpool. In addition it includes the provision of ground handling at Durham Tees Valley, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Robin Hood Doncaster Airports.

Commenting, Darren Harding, Vice President Business Development, Servisair said, “We are pleased to be able to extend our long and successful relationship with Ryanair. The continuation of our partnership demonstrates the confidence that Ryanair places in Servisair to deliver safe, high quality ground handling at cost effective prices.”

Servisair Wins Ramp Safety Award

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is pleased to have recently secured the Ground Handling International Ramp Safety Award for the US and Latin America category.

The annual award programme recognises the best examples of ramp practice from around the world.

Servisair triumphed in the US and Latin America category after the quick thinking and actions of Maria Rodriguez, an aircraft cleaner based at Miami International Airport who witnessed flames coming from the front of a catering truck positioned on an aircraft. Her initiative in alerting the fire department and her ability to gain the attention of the catering operatives who extinguished the fire, averted what could have potentially have been a very serious incident.

Speaking of the award, Randy Davies, Servisair’s EVP The Americas, commented “We are extremely proud of Maria for her quick thinking pro-activity and are pleased to have gained this industry recognition from GHI for her positive actions.”

Servisair set to acquire ground handling business from Go-Ahead plc

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair, the UK’s leading ground handling provider, is delighted to announce that it has exchanged contracts with Go-Ahead plc to acquire their Regional ground handling business at 11 airports in the UK.

The Agreement encompasses Aviance ground handling operations at Aberdeen, Belfast City, Belfast International, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Southampton Airports. Servisair will also acquire the Aviance cargo handling business at London Stansted as well as Aviance lounges at London Gatwick, Birmingham and London Luton. This acquisition excludes the Aviance London Heathrow and Jersey ground handling businesses.

Abderaman El-Aoufir, CEO of Servisair comments: “Servisair is delighted to have the opportunity to expand its UK network to a total of 24 airports with the potential acquisition of Aviance UK’s Regional business. We are confident that this opportunity will give Servisair the ability to develop further economies of scale and offer airlines safe, competitively-priced, high quality ground handling services throughout the UK.”

For more information please contact:
Tony Brunskill, FCIPR
Four Square PR Ltd
Tel: 01931 712999
Mob: 07860 814338
Email: tony@4-sq.com

Servisair Delighted with Thomson Airways Awards

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair has risen to the challenge to be the proud winner of two Thomson Airways awards for delivering service excellence.

The summer season “3 For 3” challenge, conducted by Thomson Airways over the busy peak months, measured handling agents on their performance and customer satisfaction. Using feedback from over 500,000 passengers along with key performance data, the competition was introduced in order to encourage high levels of customer service as well as supporting day to day on time performance initiatives.

Servisair was delighted to gain pole position in all categories awarded.

In the ’major station’ category, the Manchester team performed superbly and were head and shoulders above targets to scoop the top prize. Servisair also secured the top spot for the ‘regional stations’, with Birmingham the clear winner.

Speaking of their success, Darren Harding, VP Business Development commented “The competition has inspired an exceptional performance across all our airports and our teams have really enjoyed the challenge. Servisair continues to raise the bar in terms of delivering a consistent high quality service. We are very proud of our teams in Manchester, Birmingham and throughout the UK who have provided Thomson Airways with exemplary service and won both of these top spots.”

Alan Blake, Head of Airport Operations for Thomson Airways added “We recognise the tremendous effort that the Servisair has put in over the summer months, and would particularly like to congratulate the teams in Manchester and Birmingham for their excellent achievements.”

Servisair Inc. expands its presence in the Canadian market

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

? Adds Quebec City (YQB), Sept-Iles (YZV), and Bagotville (YBG).

Servisair Inc. is announcing today the expansion of its handling services in three (3) additional airports - Quebec City, Sept-Iles and Bagotville, in the Province of Quebec, Canada – bringing the total number of Servisair’s airport stations to thirteen (13) in Canada.

“We have listened to our Airline Customers and this decision to expand our service offer has been motivated by their requirements” says Abderaman El Aoufir, CEO Servisair, “Our primary goal is to contribute to the development of our Customer’s activities and their success, be they Airlines or Airports.”

“This move will allow us to better serve and reinforce our relationships with our Airline and Airport Customers in these cities”, says Gary D. Ogden, Servisair’s Vice-President, Business Development, the Americas. "We are a people-based organization...from what we have come to learn about our newest Team Members in these three cities, I'm confident that we will be able to provide the great services we are known for.”

Expansion of Cargo Business in the Americas

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair Cargo is pleased to announce the expansion of its business portfolio in the Americas.

The company has recently added Alaska Airlines and US Airways to their list of carrier customers at Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Meanwhile at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) it has won business with Alaska Airlines and Jet Blue, who join long term customer Lufthansa Cargo.

As of 12th October 09, Servisair Cargo will expand its US presence to include El Paso International Airport (ELP) in Texas. The 16,300 sq ft facility with direct access and a 900 sq ft drive-in cooler will initially be providing cargo handling for Continental Airlines Cargo, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways.

Commenting on their recent expansion, Neill Meier, Servisair’s Director of Cargo Services for the America’s says “we are extremely pleased with our current momentum in the market place and the caliber of carrier customer we have been successful in obtaining. Our ability to rapidly respond to the airline community cargo needs in a competitive format has proven effective in allowing us to meet our strategic objectives, irrespective of the continuing economic environment.”

Servisair Awarded Beacon Status

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair is celebrating after being awarded a prestigious ‘Beacon Status’ by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), for its provision of work-based learning programmes in the UK.

The exclusive status identifies and recognises the very best providers in further education and the skills sector. So far approximately 150 establishments have been granted recognition, ranging from colleges to work-based learning providers such as Servisair.

The award of Beacon status comes hot on the heels of Servisair’s recent Ofsted inspection when the company was proud to achieve the highest possible overall result of “Grade 1 – Outstanding” across all areas inspected. In particular the Ofsted report identified Servisair’s excellent skills development and use of individual learning plans.

Speaking of the recent achievements, Helen Whalley, Qualifications Manager, Servisair, comments “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to have achieved Beacon Status and to be publicly recognised for our expertise and best practice. Our teams are all focused on improving service delivery standards through the delivery of top quality training. To gain an exemplary Ofsted result was fantastic, but to then be elevated to a ‘Beacon’ is truly out of this world.”

Servisair delivers work-based learning programmes to staff members across its UK airport bases, and awards Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications (NVQ) in Aviation Ground Handling. Operating since 1998, the programmes have awarded almost 2500 certificates in the last six years alone.

Photographed:
The Servisair training team receive their Beacon Award from Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs.

Pictured (L-R) Phil Somers, NVQ Assessment Manager - Kevin Brennan MP- Helen Whalley, Qualifications Manager – Emma Goddard, NVQ Coordinator

Servisair Canada expands its Customer base

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Servisair Canada has signed multi-year agreements for ground-handling and VIP Lounge services with AEROMEXICO, Delta-Northwest Airlines, Flyglobespan, Thomas Cook Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

AEROMEXICO
The Mexican flag-carrier has awarded Servisair with full passenger and ramp handling, as well as VIP Lounge services contracts for their new route from Mexico City to Montreal-Trudeau Airport, operating twice weekly since April 1, 2009.

Delta-Northwest
Servisair will be delivering ramp handling and cabin cleaning services to Delta-Northwest Airlines at the Vancouver International Airport, starting as of September 15, 2009.

Flyglobespan
The Scottish low-cost airline has signed with Servisair for the provision of full passenger and ramp handling for their Canadian Summer operations to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Vancouver, British Colombia. In addition, Flyglobespan premium passengers flying from Calgary International Airport now have the opportunity to enjoy Servisair’s Chinook VIP Lounge facilities as part of their journey.

Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines has expanded its relationship with Servisair in Canada, adding Edmonton International Airport to contracts already in place in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax airports.

Turkish Airlines
The Turkish flag-carrier has started its Canadian operations on July 11th by serving Toronto, Pearson International Airport from Istanbul 3 times per week and has selected Servisair as their ground handling provider.

“Over the past fifty years, Servisair has been delivering high-quality services to all of its Airline Customers flying to Canada”, says Gary Ogden, Servisair’s Vice-President, Business Development, the Americas. “We are delighted that our loyal Customers and these new Airline Customers have placed their trust and confidence in Servisair for the quality and the safety of their Canadian operations."

Servisair Launches New Stylish Lounge in Calgary

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers flying from Calgary International Airport to the United States of America will be delighted to hear that Servisair has opened a superb new Executive Lounge facility on Thursday, July 30, 2009.

The stylish 240m² Rocky Mountain Canada/US transborder Lounge gives all departing passengers the opportunity to enjoy high quality surroundings and business facilities, irrespective of the airline they are travelling, their class of travel or their destination.

The new Lounge provides seating for 90 passengers and offers a range of exclusive services including:

- Comfortable Seating
- Complimentary beers, wines and spirits, beverages
- Snacks
- Flight information
- Restrooms
- Television
- Newspapers and Magazines
- Business facilities including telephone and Internet

Servisair also operates the state-of-the-art Chinook Executive Lounge at Calgary International Airport, which is located on Concourse D, after security and accessible to all passengers flying to domestic or international destinations– except US flights & Air Canada flights.

Servisair Opens New Lounge at Durham Tees Valley Airport

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Durham Tees Valley passengers who are seeking a calm place to chill out or work before their flight will be happy to learn that Servisair has just opened a superb new Executive Lounge facility at the airport.

The stylish Durham Tees Valley Lounge gives all departing passengers the opportunity to enjoy high quality surroundings and business facilities, irrespective of the airline they are travelling, their class of travel or their destination.

Open from 0445-1815 daily, the new Lounge provides seating for 60 passengers and offers a range of exclusive services including:

• Comfortable seating
• Bar area featuring complimentary beers, wines and spirits, beverages, soft drinks and snacks
• Newspapers and magazines
• Television and flight information screens
• Wi-Fi (additional cost), internet access, telephone and fax.

Servisair adds Liverpool John Lennon Airport to its network of Lounges

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers travelling from Liverpool John Lennon Airport who are looking for a quiet place to work or relax before their flight will be delighted with the news that Servisair has just opened a superb new Executive Lounge facility.

The stylish 200m² Halewood International Lounge gives all departing passengers the opportunity to enjoy high quality surroundings and business facilities, irrespective of the airline they are travelling, their class of travel or their destination.

Open from 0430-2030 daily, the new Lounge provides seating for 50 passengers and offers a range of exclusive services including:

Comfortable leather seating
Bar area featuring complimentary beers, wines and spirits, beverages, soft drinks and snacks
Newspapers and magazines
Television and flight information screens
Wi-Fi, internet access, telephone and fax.

Commenting on the new facility, Vic Brodrick, Commercial Director of Peel Airports Group said “Peel Airports Group is delighted to be able to offer passengers the opportunity to use the fantastic new Servisair Lounge, which will further enhance the travel experience of flying from Liverpool John Lennon Airport”.

Servisair operates more than twenty Lounges in the UK, Europe and North America.