• Swissport has joined the Heathrow Reimagined coalition, backing calls for fundamental reform of Heathrow Airport’s regulatory model.
• The campaign argues that Heathrow has become the world’s most expensive airport since the last major UK aviation review, without delivering a commensurate passenger experience or resilience.
• Supported by major airlines, industry associations and travel groups, the coalition is urging changes to ensure competitive cost structures, improved service standards and infrastructure capable of supporting UK economic growth.

Swissport, the world’s leading aviation services provider with operations across 300 airports, including major international hubs, has joined the Heathrow Reimagined coalition in campaigning for urgent and fundamental reform of Heathrow’s current regulatory model.

In the 15+ years since the last major review into UK aviation by the Competition Commission, Heathrow has since become the world’s most expensive airport, yet the passenger experience does not match the premium it charges.  Heathrow Reimagined is therefore seeking fundamental reform for the benefit of consumers, businesses and the UK economy.

The Heathrow Reimagined campaign consists of members including Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), Arora Group, International Airlines Group (IAG), Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines, IATA, American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT) and four of the world’s leading associations representing airlines, the travel community and travel management companies.

Warwick Brady, CEO at Swissport International, said: “Britain requires cost effective infrastructure. The UK economy needs to grow on the back of London’s aviation capacity, and we are critical infrastructure enablers in making that happen. As the #1 global aviation services provider we know that Heathrow’s costs don’t match the service of other major international hubs including the airport’s resilience. Balancing capacity growth with competitive cost structures is the most effective way to deliver excellent service, greater innovation and the economic output UK consumers and businesses desperately need. We look forward to supporting the campaign at this critical moment for Britain’s growth.”

A spokesperson for Heathrow Reimagined, said: “Heathrow Reimagined’s shared view is that Britain deserves better from its only hub airport. Today’s commitment to join the campaign by Swissport, the largest operator in the UK and another major international brand and operator at Heathrow, further demonstrates the need to reimagine the airport for the benefit of passengers and UK plc alike.   “It is clear that there is still work to do to ensure that the CAA review delivers the fundamental reform that is so desperately needed. It is also evident that Heathrow must do better and fundamental reform is essential in ensuring that we can drive economic growth and create a global hub fit for the future.”

The Heathrow Reimagined campaign continues to actively engage with the wider industry and government to achieve its primary objective of fundamental reform. The campaign is supported by the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), Advantage Travel Partnership, American Airlines, Arora Group, Board of Airlines Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), Business Travel Association (BTA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Airlines Group (IAG), Virgin Atlantic and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

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