The money earmarked for Swissport Italy to acquire new vehicles includes tractors for towing and pushback of long-haul aircraft, passenger buses, baggage belts, cargo loaders and transporters.
The baggage tractor fleet has been revamped with 50 new electric tractors operational at Fiumicino and another 70 scheduled for delivery before summer.
Swissport has inaugurated its new Fiumicino operations centre, located close to runway activities.
The facility serves as the nerve centre for hub management and coordination with dedicated teams overseeing operations including aircraft, passenger and baggage transit services.
Marina Bottelli, Managing Director of Swissport in Italy, said: “As the global sector leader, we continuously invest in a more environmentally friendly operation. Swissport will further increase the share of electrically powered vehicles in its fleet to at least 55% by 2032. Longer term, we are committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by latest 2050.”
Swissport Italy employs 2,300 people recruited in July 2022 following the acquisition of Alitalia’s ground handling operations during its extraordinary administration.
The company hopes to integrate another 400 ex-Alitalia employees who are on administrative leave in accordance with agreements reached with union representatives and dependent on obtaining the licence to manage ramp handling services at Fiumicino airport.
The matter is under appeal with the Administrative Court of Lazio with a decision expected by 20 March.
In November 2023, Swissport contested the handling tender awarded by Aeroporti di Roma, which excluded Swissport from the list of qualified operators 16 months after acquiring the ground handling business of Alitalia and starting operations at Fiumicino.
The appeal challenges the application of tender criteria, which Swissport calls improper, and says numerous significant errors were made by the evaluating commission.
Following a hearing before the Lazio Regional Administrative Court on 22 November, a decision was postponed while Aeroporti di Roma agreed not to finalise contracts with the successful bidders.