easyJet has appointed DHL Supply Chain to provide ground handling services at Bristol and Manchester airports in the UK.

The announcement comes one year after DHL took over ground handling operations at London Gatwick Airport.

Under the terms of the agreement, DHL will assume the responsibility for ground handling services from February next year.

The company will offer core customer service and logistics operations, including passenger arrival and bag-drop, baggage sorting, boarding gate marshalling and aircraft loading and unloading.

It will also manage other service providers across the two airports.

DHL will manage the ground handling for about 1,200 flights per week, comprising 700 flights from Bristol and 500 from Manchester.

“These are critical airports for our business and brand so we’re looking to DHL to ensure they operate exceptionally.”

easyJet UK and Europe ground ops head Alberto Santamarta said: “We’re delighted with how the DHL partnership has developed at London Gatwick. The team has implemented valuable changes that have enhanced the experience for our customers and improved our punctuality.

“We’re the largest airline operating out of Bristol carrying five million passengers a year, and Manchester is a key growth market for us. These are critical airports for our business and brand so we’re looking to DHL to ensure they operate exceptionally.”

easyJet flies to popular destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, and has served more than 19.5 million passengers since operations began.

DHL Supply Chain UK&I managing director Martin Willmor said:  “Bristol and Manchester airports are strategically key for easyJet so we recognise the importance of working in partnership to optimise performance.

“We’re looking forward to onboarding our new colleagues and implementing changes to enhance operations and the travel experience for easyJet customers.”