Aviapartner sells Liège Airport cargo operations to Saudi Arabian group
Aviapartner is selling its cargo operations at Liège Airport to the Saudi Arabian Airlines Group, the Belgian ground handling company announced on Thursday. The local branch and all 200 employees will be included in the takeover. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
The buyer, a listed company providing cargo services at all airports in Saudi Arabia, plans to expand its cargo activities at Liège, Aviapartner said.
"This ensures the continuity of operations and the growth prospects of the sector offer solid prospects for the future of the teams," the company said in a press release. Staff were informed during an extraordinary works council meeting on Thursday.
The sale follows a similar deal last month, when Aviapartner sold its cargo operations at Brussels Airport to Worldwide Flight Services, including the transfer of its 200 employees. The division handles platform operations for cargo aircraft as well as cargo and mail handling and has operated at Zaventem since 1980.
Focus on passenger airlines
The Belgian company said the recent sales allowed it to focus on its core business of providing services to passenger airlines. In recent years, Aviapartner has grown from a baggage handler to a company that provides almost all the services airlines need at airports, including handling baggage, manning check-in counters and escorting children and people with disabilities to the aircraft.
Aviapartner currently serves more than 120 million passengers a year for roughly 400 airlines. It is active in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as Algeria, Angola, Gabon and South Africa.
© BELGA PHOTO JOHN THYS
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