SWISSPORT has taken over complete control of Heathrow Cargo Handling Ltd (HCH) after acquiring the 50 per cent equity interest held by joint venture partner Air France for an undisclosed amount, reported London's Air Cargo News.
Last year, the HCH joint venture, with a workforce of some 120 employees, handled 150,000 tonnes of air cargo, an increase of seven per cent over 2017.
Swissport executive vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Luzius Wirth, said: 'We are very satisfied that we can strategically round off our global cargo business with this selective acquisition.
'On the basis of over 20 years of successful business, jointly with Air France, Swissport now has the right setup to further develop and enhance its service offering at London's Heathrow airport.'
The Switzerland-based ground handler said that the HCH acquisition enables Swissport to 'invest further' in its air cargo operation and service capabilities at Heathrow airport, where it operates two warehouses with a total surface of 15,300 square metres.
The completion of the HCH share acquisition by Swissport is subject to competition and markets authority approval and is expected in the first half of this year.
Swissport International, on behalf of 850 companies, provides airport ground services and handles 4.8 million tonnes of air cargo at 122 warehouses worldwide, and with a workforce of 66,000 it is active at 300 airports in 50 countries.
WORLD SHIPPING
Last year, the HCH joint venture, with a workforce of some 120 employees, handled 150,000 tonnes of air cargo, an increase of seven per cent over 2017.
Swissport executive vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Luzius Wirth, said: 'We are very satisfied that we can strategically round off our global cargo business with this selective acquisition.
'On the basis of over 20 years of successful business, jointly with Air France, Swissport now has the right setup to further develop and enhance its service offering at London's Heathrow airport.'
The Switzerland-based ground handler said that the HCH acquisition enables Swissport to 'invest further' in its air cargo operation and service capabilities at Heathrow airport, where it operates two warehouses with a total surface of 15,300 square metres.
The completion of the HCH share acquisition by Swissport is subject to competition and markets authority approval and is expected in the first half of this year.
Swissport International, on behalf of 850 companies, provides airport ground services and handles 4.8 million tonnes of air cargo at 122 warehouses worldwide, and with a workforce of 66,000 it is active at 300 airports in 50 countries.
WORLD SHIPPING