“A good leader is approachable, listens and gives meaning to actions. I believe in a management style where leading by example and trust are essential.”
Nothing really predestined Fadel Bennis to run a major player in airport logistics. Yet a passion for aviation and a career marked by the rigour of finance led him to take the controls of Swissport Maroc. “My professional career began in audit and consulting in France, notably at Deloitte, where I acquired financial and managerial expertise. Back in Morocco, I held several CFO positions in various sectors, ranging from aeronautics to construction, before joining Swissport in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer”, he explains.
Today, he heads Swissport Maroc with, under his responsibility, more than 1,500 employees engaged in a key mission: guaranteeing an optimal welcome for passengers and ensuring smooth and secure airport operations.
Aviation, an obvious choice
While his career gradually led him towards airport logistics, Fadel Bennis does not hide the fact that this sector has always fascinated him. “You could say that aviation, airports and the world of travel have always captivated me. As a student in Toulouse, the cradle of the European manufacturer Airbus, I nurtured, from that time on, the wish to work in this constantly innovating sector”, he recalls. Beyond the technological and operational aspects, it is the strategic role of aviation that excites him. Global connectivity, the demand for innovation and the need for performance are all challenges that stimulate him every day.
Facing turbulence
At the head of Swissport Maroc, Fadel Bennis has had to face major challenges, first and foremost the Covid-19 crisis, a few years ago. Air traffic had collapsed abruptly, jeopardising the company’s business: “We had to quickly adapt our cost structure, renegotiate contracts and optimise our operations to ensure the company’s sustainability”. Among the key moments of his career at Swissport, Fadel Bennis also remembers, in 2019, managing the renewal of the handling licence, as well as the renegotiation of a strategic contract with a major airline customer. “Initially, the discussions were tense and an agreement seemed hard to reach. By highlighting the added value of our services and our safety commitment, we managed to turn a deadlocked situation into a win-win partnership ”, he stresses, not without pride.
Out of all these experiences and challenges overcome, the stake for Swissport today is to support the rise of the Moroccan airport sector and the ambition to make Morocco an essential air hub in Africa and the Mediterranean. Swissport plays a key role in this dynamic, by guaranteeing operational excellence aligned with international standards and by investing in innovative and sustainable solutions. “Added to this is the prospect of major international events, notably the 2030 World Cup, which will require increased reception capacity and high-level airport logistics”, specifies Swissport’s Country Managing Director.
Leadership based on trust and proximity
Running a company like Swissport Maroc means above all managing large, interconnected teams. To this end, Fadel Bennis advocates human and approachable leadership, based on strong values:
- Show you care: taking care of customers, teams and operations;
- Do the right thing: acting with integrity and responsibility;
- Win as a team: succeeding together, in a spirit of cooperation and sharing.
“A good leader is approachable, listens and gives meaning to actions. I believe in a management style where leading by example and trust are essential.”
The Aspire brand to rethink airport hospitality
Under his leadership, Swissport Maroc recently signed a key contract with the Office National des Aéroports (National Airports Office) and launched a new subsidiary dedicated to airport hospitality, with the imminent roll-out of 11 lounges under the Aspire brand.
“Our ambition is to offer a premium passenger experience, combining comfort, quality of service and innovation. These new services enable us to strengthen our presence and optimise the traveller journey”, says Fadel Bennis.
Finding balance day to day
Outside his professional activities, Fadel Bennis is passionate about outdoor activities: scuba diving, motorcycling, golf, as well as travel and mountain sports. “Finding balance is a challenge, but I make every effort to devote time to my family, who are my true source of energy ”, he says. And among the personalities who inspire him, he cites without hesitation Nelson Mandela and Roger Federer, figures who embody resilience and determination. The film “Top Gun: Maverick” is also among his references: “This film is not just a visual spectacle, it highlights the passing on of knowledge, surpassing oneself and team spirit, strong values in aviation and in leadership”.
If you were…
🔹 A colour? Blue, for its serenity and its link with the sky and the sea, symbols of openness and escape.
🔹 A country? Rather a continent: Asia, for its balance between tradition and modernity, its spirit of innovation and its capacity to reinvent itself.
🔹 A means of transport? An aeroplane, for speed, ambition and openness to the world.
🔹 A personality? Nelson Mandela, for his inspiring leadership and his resilience in the face of challenges.
🔹 An animal? A horse, which embodies strength, elegance and intuition.
🔹 A connected object? A smartwatch, for its role in organising and optimising daily life.
🔹 A superpower? Time travel, to learn from the past and anticipate the future.
🔹 A book? The Sand Child by Tahar Benjelloun, a novel that raises timeless questions about freedom and identity.