OREANDA-NEWS. Vnukovo Airport is pleased to announce that Swissport International Ltd., the leading global airport and aviation service provider, will start operations in the Russian Federation. Swissport International has selected "Service-VS", the ground handling operator at Vnukovo airport, as a partner in the Russian Federation.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between Swissport International and "Service-VS" has taken place on 16th May 2013 at Vnukovo airport.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Juan-Jose Andres Alvez, Executive Vice President Ground Handling Europe, Africa & Latin America and by Vadim Shishko, General Director of "Service-VS".

As part of the signing ceremony a press conference took place to outline the details of the cooperation between Swissport International and "Service-VS" as well as the development plans of the partnership for the future. With the signed agreement Swissport and Service-VS will start a cooperation for all Ground Handling services at Vnukovo airport. Part of the agreement is also to implement Swissports globally proven and standardized processes for increased quality and safety of services. In addition, the cooperation between Swissport and “Service-VS” not only includes to support Vnukovo airport with its existing international customer base but is also targeting at extending the international customer portfolio; Swissport is very much looking forward to entering this fast growing market and proud to have “Service-VS” as their partner for Russia.

Swissport International is the leading global provider of ground services to the aviation industry in terms of quality, reliability, safety, customer dedication, growth, innovation and network coverage. Offering a comprehensive range of products at optimum value for money, Swissport is able to provide an “all-inclusive” service package in addition to managing integrated collaboration models.

The history of JSC "Service-VS" is inextricably linked with Vnukovo Airport and its development. With a long-lasting history and experience it continuously provides passenger handling and aircraft maintenance at the airport. Today more than 130 Russian and foreign air carriers are partners of JSC "Service-VS”. The company has more than 1,300 employees and more than 500 units of ground aviation, which allows us to serve more than 100,000 flights a year. JSC "Service-VS" holds ISAGO and EASA Part145 certificates confirming compliance with the international standards for safety of ground handling and aircraft maintenance.

The cooperation with Swissport International will meet the growing needs of airlines in compliance with IATA and leading alliances standards. The company becomes interested in further network widening and business development at Russian airports.

Vnukovo International Airport is one of the largest air transportation hubs in Russia. Every year the airport serves more than 150 thousand flights of Russian and foreign airlines. Airport route map covers all the territory of Russia, the CIS countries, Western Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.

Vnukovo airfield has two intersecting runways with the capacity 58 operations per hour. Vnukovo-1 airport consists of two terminals: international passenger terminal B with the total area of 25 thousand square meters and a new passenger terminal A with the total area of 270 thousand square meters, 170 thousand square meters of which have been already put into operation. Second launch complex of terminal A will be opened in December 2012.