Handlex, the ground-handling and airport services subsidiary of Transat A.T. Inc., is opening a new base at Vancouver International Airport this week, resulting in the hiring of 80 people as passenger reception agents, station attendants, baggage handlers, airplane cabin groomers and ground-equipment mechanics.

“We are pleased to be expanding our services to Vancouver International Airport, where we will begin by serving our sister company Air Transat,” said Jean-Luc Paiement, President and Chief Executive Officer of Handlex. “We are confident that in the near future we will begin serving other airlines there, just as we do at Montréal-Trudeau, Montréal-Mirabel and Toronto international airports.”

With some 1,200 employees in Canada, Handlex is a key partner for many airlines. Its specialized staff provides services for more than 10,000 departures annually.

Handlex is a subsidiary of Transat A.T. Inc., one of the world’s largest integrated tourism companies and Canada’s holiday travel leader. Handlex provides ground-handling and airport services, including passenger reception and check-in services, baggage and cargo handling and aircraft cleaning, as well as ramp services, at the Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver international airports. Handlex serves Air Transat and some 20 other air carriers from around the world at its Canadian bases.