According to www.aviationpros.com, DHL Supply Chain has secured a three-year agreement to provide ground handling services for SAS Scandinavian Airlines at Manchester Airport, supporting up to five SAS flights per day.
Scope and Mobilization Timeline
The new operation covers baggage operations, customer service, aircraft loading, dispatch, and pushback services for SAS flights connecting the UK with Scandinavia and the airline’s wider international network. DHL completed mobilization in just 30 days, maintaining full service continuity throughout the transition — a timeline highlighted by the company as a demonstration of operational agility.
DHL’s rapid deployment aligns with SAS’s strategic emphasis on Manchester as a key gateway. According to Hans Henrik Spangenberg, managing director of SAS Ground Handling International, the airport “connects customers across the UK with Scandinavia and our wider international network.” He specifically cited DHL’s 30-day mobilization capability as instrumental to a smooth handover.
The contract commenced in 2026, with the article published on Aug. 25, 2026. This marks DHL’s latest expansion in the UK aviation services market, building on existing relationships with easyJet and Air France at major airports.
UK Ground Handling Portfolio Expansion
DHL has provided ground handling services for easyJet at Manchester Airport since 2019, extending a partnership that began at London Gatwick Airport in 2017. Earlier in 2026, DHL added Air France to its Gatwick portfolio, delivering passenger, ramp, and baggage services for the carrier.
This layered growth underscores DHL’s deepening footprint in UK aviation logistics. The SAS agreement further diversifies its airline client base beyond low-cost and legacy carriers, reinforcing its capacity to scale specialized operations across multiple UK airports within tight timeframes.
David Johnson, interim managing director, Healthcare & Specialist Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UKI, emphasized the centrality of ground handling to airline performance:
“Ground handling plays a critical role in airline performance… [We will focus on] providing safe, reliable and efficient service for SAS and its passengers.”
— David Johnson, interim managing director, Healthcare & Specialist Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UKI
Source: aviationpros.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
