BAGGAGE handling agent Groundstar has unveiled a major programme of capital equipment investment.

The investment will help to support the Newcastle-based company's rapidly growing ground handling operations for airline customers in Manchester, Newcastle, London Stansted, Birmingham and Heathrow airports, while maintaining standards of customer service.

Groundtstar recently took delivery of eight new push back tugs and 80 baggage carts to support its new contracts with Air 2000 and Go at Birmingham and London Stansted.

The move follows the recent investment by the company in a new computer-based flight information and ground handling system called FiND, which improves the tracking of aircraft movements.

Eighteen electric tugs will be added to the existing fleet to support the Birmingham and Stansted operations, while several new vans have been ordered for contacts with major airlines operating from Newcastle and Manchester airports.

A new toilet support unit will be introduced at Manchester Airport to support existing and new aircraft cleaning contracts.

Other equipment includes aircraft steps, air starts, lorries, lower deck loaders, belt loaders, pallet dollies and tow bars.

Groundstar's managing director Keith Wilson said: "The company has just undergone a phase of rapid growth to meet the needs of both new and existing customers.

"Investment in new equipment enables us to meet and exceed our commitments while allowing us to retain the highest level of customer service."

Groundstar was formed in October 1999 following a multi-million pound international Buy Out of Northeast Aviation, Northwest Aviation and Capital by venture capital group 3i, to provide outsourced ground handling services.