Menzies Completed The Acquisition of Portuguese SPdH

Recently, the global aviation services giant Menzies Aviation announced that it has completed the full acquisition of the Portuguese ground handling service provider SPdH (formerly Groundforce Portugal). This transaction has received formal approval from the Portuguese Audit Court, marking a new stage in Menzies' strategic layout in the Portuguese market.

This comprehensive acquisition is another significant move by Menzis following its purchase of 50.1% of SPdH's equity in 2024. SPdH, as a leading ground handling service provider in Portugal, covers five major international airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal and São Tomé, and ensures over 100,000 aircraft take-offs and landings annually, providing ground handling and air cargo services for numerous international airlines.With the completion of full ownership, Menzis plans to further accelerate the operational integration and upgrading in Portugal, focusing on the improvement of service quality, safety guarantees and operational efficiency. The company has clearly stated that it will continue to increase investment in technological equipment and staff development. Currently, SPdH has over 3,500 employees and is an important force in Portugal's aviation industry chain.

This acquisition fully demonstrates Menzies' firm confidence in the future prospects of the Portuguese aviation market. Portugal, as an important tourist destination in Europe, the aviation industry plays a crucial role in promoting the recovery of tourism, enhancing regional connectivity, and driving economic growth. Menzies pointed out that improving ground support capabilities and optimizing airport operation efficiency will be the core work direction of his company in the Portuguese market in the future.Hassan El-Houry, the Executive Chairman of Menzies Airlines, said: "This is a natural continuation of our long-term strategy in Portugal. By obtaining full ownership of the business, we will further enhance our ability to invest, innovate, and continuously provide high-quality services. This market is of great significance to our global strategic deployment. We are always committed to supporting the sustainable development of the Portuguese aviation industry."

Philipp Joeinig, the CEO of Menzis Aviation Group, added: "This transaction enables us to implement our strategy in a more agile manner and consolidate our position as a trusted partner for airlines and airports in Portugal. Our focus has always been on providing safe, reliable and high-quality services, while creating long-term value for customers and employees." Currently, Menzis Aviation operates in 347 airports across more than 65 countries worldwide. Through this acquisition, Menzis has further expanded its global service footprint and continues to deepen the implementation of its overall growth strategy in the aviation services sector.