100 new jobs for Belfast International

The company has launched a major recruitment drive which will see its workforce at Belfast International increase to 350 approximately.

Ten of the new posts are already filled and the remaining ninety will be in place within a matter of weeks.

The Swissport expansion follows hard on the heels of news that security company, ICTS, is adding forty new staff to its payroll.

This latest development at the airport will be worth more than £1.6 million in wages annually to the Northern Ireland economy.

Swissport manager, Jean Foster, says the 100 additional jobs will be in several areas of activity including passenger check-in and baggage and freight handling.

“Swissport is clearly delighted with the growth in passenger numbers at the International,” she said.

“There will be a significant increase in the number of aircraft movements and that means greater demand for the wide range of services we provide.

“We’re an essential cog in the wheel at the airport, and this expansion will see us confirmed as the single biggest employer on the site.”

“This year, we expect to see double-digit growth in passengers and that’s powering our rapid expansion plans.”

Belfast International Airport operations director, Alan Whiteside, said the firm, one of the world’s leading providers of ground and cargo handling services to the aviation industry, was to be congratulated for responding promptly to anticipated passenger and aircraft increases.

However, he also reiterated the airport’s concerns - also voiced by Ryanair - over the failure so far of the Northern Ireland administration to tackle the issue of air passenger duty (APD).

“This is second big job announcement we have made in as many weeks and is a boost not only for South Antrim but for the Northern Ireland economy,” he said.

“These jobs are demand-driven. The fact that they do not depend on a single penny of support from the Government means we’re seeing a win-win for the wider economy and the taxpayer.

“This proves how Belfast International is a real engine for growth, and it’s a real pity that Ministers at Stormont don’t seem to understand that or choose to ignore it.

“This airport has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new businesses if Ministers gave the sector the relatively small levels of support it needs to attract new airlines and open new routes.

“We also need Ministers to confront the issue of Air Passenger Duty (APD). It’s the ball and chain that’s holding us back. Without it, we could make a major contribution to growing the private sector economy in Northern Ireland.”