Behind the Scenes at Swissport: A Site Tour at Sydney Airport - International

Last week in July 2025, I had the opportunity to join a site tour of Swissport’s operations at Sydney Airport International Terminal, with Swissport executive Tony Filacouridis. It was an eye-opening experience that showcased the scale, precision, and teamwork required to keep the world moving.

The tour began landside with extensive security checking, before we were escorted airside, stepping directly onto the tarmac where arriving and departing flights were in full swing. Tony Filacouridis is Swissport’s Head of Health Safety Environment & Quality for Asia Pacific region and providing context he explained that in 2024, Sydney saw 16.3 million international passengers. Swissport managed over 53,000 aircraft movements. We watched ground crew unload baggage with speed and care, guiding containers from aircraft holds onto awaiting tugs. The choreography between baggage handlers, ramp agents, and aircraft service staff was seamless – movements carefully timed to ensure tight turnaround schedules are met. Baggage handlers in particular, work in a high-risk, high-pressure environment, they are responsible for ensuring that luggage and freight is loaded and unloaded efficiently, securely, and safely. Often in extreme weather conditions on the tarmac early in the morning and late in the evening.

Safety First

I asked Tony, ‘what is the philosophy or method of keeping employees safe at Swissport?’



Tony’s response was; “At Swissport, safety is everyone's responsibility and our highest priority. Our approach is built on strong management safety leadership, thorough risk assessment, regular team training, accessible incident reporting, and continuous improvement. We foster a culture where all team members are empowered to speak up about safety concerns, creating trust and reinforcing our shared commitment to a safe working environment. Preventing workplace incidents is fundamental to our values, and we always prioritize safety over on-time performance—because every team member makes a difference”

Tony Filacouridis

Head of HSEQ Asia Pacific at Swissport