Improved Customer Service Annual costs savings of more than one million euros
Through a joint tender, six Star Alliance member carriers at London Heathrow have selected Menzies Aviation as their new ground handling company, in advance of their moves to Terminal 1.
Starting October 1st, 2009, Austrian, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and TAP will transition their handling requirements to Menzies from their current providers, a process to be completed by early 2009. Services awarded to Menzies include airport check-in, ticketing, special services and select ramp provisioning.
“Joint tendering has allowed us to negotiate much better terms for our carriers,” said Lee Hock Lye, Vice-President, Products & Services, Star Alliance. “We expect savings of at least one million euros a year for the participating members. “
“Our business is all about ensuring that our airline customers are able to deliver their passengers and baggage to their destinations safely, securely and on time. We are delighted to have gained the confidence of Star Alliance at this key hub. We will be able to make a real difference and deliver to them a truly world-class handling product, and in so doing, ensure that their passengers enjoy a unique travel experience,” said Craig Smyth, President & Managing Director, Menzies Aviation.
Joint tendering is not an entirely new concept for Star Alliance. For instance, contracts have been awarded at seven other European airports, saving our members over six million euros a year.
“Purchasing ground handling services as individual carriers can be expensive and is a key factor in the profitability of airport operations. In these markets the carriers have found that by tendering together, and moving operations under one roof, it has not only improved the cost situation but actually been beneficial for resources, frequencies and improved customer service and quality,” continued Lee Hock Lye.
This latest ground handling agreement in London was prompted by the alliance’s Move under one Roof project at Terminal 1. Seven member carriers currently operate from Terminal 1, with another five scheduled to move later this year.
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006 and 2007 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The members are Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Air India has been accepted as a future member. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 18,100 daily flights to 975 destinations in 162 countries.
About Menzies Aviation
Menzies Aviation is one of the world's major independent suppliers of ground handling services to the aviation market providing passenger, ramp and cargo services for many of the world's leading airlines and some of the busiest international airports. The division employs some 14,500 people across the world, operating at some 125 airports in 29 countries servicing more than 500 aviation customers.
For further information please contact:
Star Alliance Press Office Zoe Kubiak, Menzies Aviation
Tel: +49 69 96375 183 Tel: + 44 208 750 6000
Fax: +49 69 96375 683 Fax: +44 208 750 6001
Email:
[email protected] Email:
[email protected]
www.staralliance.com www.menziesaviation.com