Swissport expands into Japan – Air Cargo Week

• Swissport has begun passenger and runway services for Eastar Jet’s daily flights from Busan to New Chitose, marking its first operation in northern Japan and expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
• To support Hokkaido’s busy winter travel season, Swissport deploys dedicated snow and de-icing equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• About 50 new seasonal jobs are being created through a local employment and training programme, leveraging regional skills and community support.

Swissport began passenger and ramp services for daily Eastar Jet flights between Busan’s Gimhae International Airport and New Chitose Airport, Japan’s fifth-busiest airport, on 26 October 2025. This marks Swissport’s first operation in northern Japan and strengthens its strategic footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, supporting growing domestic tourism to one of Japan’s most popular winter destinations.

“We are proud to work with Eastar Jet and look forward to supporting their operations,” said Stefan Kaiser, Chief Operating Officer of Swissport Japan. “This partnership represents an exciting milestone as we expand into northern Japan and meet the growing demand for reliable ground services at New Chitose Airport.”

Hokkaido is known for its world-class ski resorts, attracting millions of visitors every year. To support the busy winter season, Swissport invests in a dedicated fleet of ground service equipment, including de-icing units and snow operations vehicles, to ensure safe and efficient operations in difficult winter conditions.

“This region attracts significant international traffic in the winter, and we expect a busy first season,” Kaiser continued.

“With our experience managing high-volume airport hubs across Japan, Swissport is well positioned to provide safe, efficient and reliable services from day one.”

To support the launch, Swissport has launched a recruitment and training program to build a skilled team in New Chitose. This includes the creation of approximately 50 new seasonal jobs, with a focus on engaging the local workforce.

“The Hokkaido region has a strong farming community, many of whom are skilled at operating heavy machinery and driving in snowy conditions,” Kaiser explained. “We aim to leverage these skills to ensure safety-first operations during the winter months, while providing meaningful seasonal employment outside of the growing season.”

With this expansion, Swissport is strengthening its presence in Japan, where it already provides airport ground services to several airline customers at Fukuoka, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo. The company also operates three modern air freight depots across Japan, supporting air freight movements from major gateways.