--- title: "Swissport partners with Hainan Airlines at Auckland International Airport; first airline customer at new Auckland Cargo Centre" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-07T11:31:00Z" source: "https://www.swissport.com/en/news/press-release/2026/swissport-strengthens-asia-pacific-network-with-new-hainan-airlines-partnership-in-auckland" topics: - name: "air transport" identifier: "medtop:20000338" locations: - "Shanghai" - "Auckland" - "China" - "New Zealand" --- Swissport partners with Hainan Airlines at Auckland International Airport; first airline customer at new Auckland Cargo Centre Auckland, New Zealand, 31 July 2026 swissport.com Swissport MEDIA RELEASE SWISSPORT STRENGTHENS ASIA-PACIFIC NETWORK WITH NEW HAINAN AIRLINES PARTNERSHIP IN AUCKLAND Swissport, the global leader in aviation services, has launched a new full-service partnership with Hainan Airlines at Auckland International Airport, covering passenger services, ramp handling, cargo operations, load control and aircraft cleaning. The agreement further strengthens Swissport's integrated ground handling and air cargo network across Asia-Pacific as trade between New Zealand and China continues to grow. The partnership reflects Swissport's proven operational expertise, strong safety culture and ability to deliver integrated aviation services, reinforcing the confidence its airline customers place in Swissport across the Asia- Pacific region. The agreement was announced at the official opening of Swissport's new Auckland Cargo Centre on 29 July 2026, where Hainan Airlines was named the facility's first airline customer. Ground handling operations for Hainan Airlines commenced as planned on 31 July 2026 and are now fully operational. “This partnership reflects the confidence international airlines place in Swissport's ability to deliver safe, reliable and integrated aviation services,” said Dean Durban, CEO of Swissport New Zealand. “As the first airline customer to operate through our new Auckland Cargo Centre, Hainan Airlines marks an important milestone for our business in New Zealand. Together, we're strengthening connectivity between New Zealand and China while supporting the efficient movement of passengers and cargo. I want to thank our team for delivering a successful mobilization, and we look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership with Hainan Airlines.” BUILDING AN INTEGRATED APAC CARGO NETWORK The partnership strengthens connectivity between New Zealand and China, supporting growing trade flows and reinforcing Swissport's role in delivering integrated ground handling and cargo services across the Asia-Pacific region. Swissport recruited Mandarin-speaking team members ahead of the launch and worked closely with Hainan Airlines across passenger services, ramp handling, cargo, safety and IT to ensure a seamless operational start. Safety, training and operational readiness remained central to the mobilisation, reflecting Swissport's global operating standards and consistent service delivery across its network of more than 300 airports worldwide. Auckland, New Zealand, 31 July 2026 swissport.com Swissport AUCKLAND CARGO CENTRE SUPPORTS SWISSPORT'S GROWING CARGO STRATEGY The partnership builds on Swissport's continued expansion across Asia-Pacific, including its landmark agreement to manage and jointly operate the new Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the world's second-largest cargo hub. Together, these investments reinforce Swissport's strategy to build a connected, technology-enabled cargo network across Asia-Pacific, supporting growing demand for integrated ground handling and air cargo services. While cargo volumes are expected to build over time, the Hainan service will support growing trade between New Zealand and China, including high-value perishables, seafood, cherries and other premium exports, together with general import freight. As demand for reliable air cargo connectivity continues to grow, Swissport's expanding Asia-Pacific network is enabling airlines and freight forwarders to move high-value cargo more efficiently, strengthening supply chains and improving access to global markets. The aviation industry connects the world and Swissport makes it possible. Every year, we serve 250 million passengers, welcome six million airport lounge guests, and handle over five million tons of air freight across more than 300 airports in 49 countries. That makes us the world leader in aviation services and bigger than any airline. As a team of 63,000 high-skilled aviation professionals, our work powers global travel, trade and innovation. Together we are creating the airport experience of the future. Media contacts Swissport International AG, Group Communications, P.O. Box, 8058 Zurich Airport, Switzerland media@swissport.com