newstodate.aero
Feb 23, 2010 (newstodate): The new handling company at Latvia's Riga Airport, North Hub Services has big plans for expansion.
Set up in August 2009 and starting operations with passenger and luggage handling at Riga Airport from January 1, 2010, North Hub Services is hoping to win the tender as the airport's second full-handling service provider later this spring, enabling it to offer a full-service package including cargo handling at Riga Airport before the end of this year.
But plans go beyond this.
-Already later this year we plan to expand abroad, and our first priorities are Estonia and Finland, says Janis Balkens, North Hub Services CEO.
-At Estonia's Tallinn Airport there is only one provider, and at Finland's Helsinki Vantaa there is a marked demand for a new provider to enhance quality that is lacking behind in that market.
-Further down the line we also intend to enter the handling markets at Sweden's Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Denmark's Copenhagen Airport and Lithuania's Vilnius Airport.
-We have the capital strength and the capabilities to expand, and we aim at setting up independent subsidiaries in each market while remaining open to partnerships with others. Our aim will always be to provide full handling services at all stations, and we are convinced that airlines operating into various Nordic airports will be attracted by the choice of a one-stop shopping model rather than having to contract various providers in the region.
-We are really in a hurry to position ourselves before the markets open up again and competition grows prohibitive. We go for a critical mass at each destination, and we intend to be present at all three airports which is actually also envisaged by our name, North Hub Services, says Mr Balkens.
Set up in August 2009 and starting operations with passenger and luggage handling at Riga Airport from January 1, 2010, North Hub Services is hoping to win the tender as the airport's second full-handling service provider later this spring, enabling it to offer a full-service package including cargo handling at Riga Airport before the end of this year.
But plans go beyond this.
-Already later this year we plan to expand abroad, and our first priorities are Estonia and Finland, says Janis Balkens, North Hub Services CEO.
-At Estonia's Tallinn Airport there is only one provider, and at Finland's Helsinki Vantaa there is a marked demand for a new provider to enhance quality that is lacking behind in that market.
-Further down the line we also intend to enter the handling markets at Sweden's Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Denmark's Copenhagen Airport and Lithuania's Vilnius Airport.
-We have the capital strength and the capabilities to expand, and we aim at setting up independent subsidiaries in each market while remaining open to partnerships with others. Our aim will always be to provide full handling services at all stations, and we are convinced that airlines operating into various Nordic airports will be attracted by the choice of a one-stop shopping model rather than having to contract various providers in the region.
-We are really in a hurry to position ourselves before the markets open up again and competition grows prohibitive. We go for a critical mass at each destination, and we intend to be present at all three airports which is actually also envisaged by our name, North Hub Services, says Mr Balkens.