Left: Airport Handling SPA provides services at Milan Linate Airport
Dnata has announced it will acquire a 30% share in Milan-based ground handler, Airport Handling SPA, and will have majority representation on the board through which it will control day-to-day operations. The company will also have a Call Option to acquire a further 40% share of the ground handler.
Airport Handling, which was founded in 2014 and has 1,800 employees, operates passenger and ramp services at Milan’s two major airports, Malpensa and Linate. dnata’s investment in Airport Handling underscores its broader vision and commitment to the Italian market, where dnata already operates catering facilities at 22 airports.
“We continue to grow dnata’s international operations where we find the right opportunities and the right partners. Any acquisition or partnership that we enter has to add value to our business, customers and stakeholders. Airport Handling’s operations tick those boxes for dnata,” said Stewart Angus, dnata’s divisional senior vice president of international airport operations.
“dnata is an established international player in airport and ground handling services. Tapping on dnata’s expertise, the Airport Handling team looks forward to further strengthen the quality of services that we already offer in Milan’s airports and our prospects for both short and long term,” commented John Stewart, CEO of Airport Handling.
Under the agreement with dnata, Airport Handling will retain its current name. Employee terms will also be unaffected. This transaction is subject to competition approval by Italian authorities and the European Union, which is expected to be achieved by the end of November 2015.
