Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has built on its cargo handling experience in Spain to win full ground handling contracts at the country’s Madrid, Seville, Santiago, Oviedo and Vitoria airports
WFS, under the new ownership of deep-pocketed global investment firm Platinum Equity, said that the biggest expansion of its ground handling activities in Europe for over 40 years is a “game changer”.
It expects to commence full passenger and ramp services in Madrid, alongside its existing cargo business, and Seville in October, in addition to continuing its cargo operations in Barcelona and Valencia.
Santiago and Oviedo will join the WFS network in November along with Vitoria. In Vitoria, WFS will provide full ramp handling for freighters only.
The new licenses will see WFS making a “multi-million euro investment in aircraft and passenger handling equipment and facilities” in Spain.
Pablo Garcia, WFS’ executive vice president sales, said: “The ability to combine passenger and ramp services with our well-established cargo operation in Madrid is a game changer for WFS.
“Winning these new licenses will see the biggest growth in our ground handling operations in Europe since our company was founded in 1971.
“It represents a perfect example of where our historical strength in cargo handling has earned us the opportunity to become a full-service provider.”
WFS won the new seven-year licenses following a public tender conducted by Spanish airports operator Aena. A total of 10 ground handlers took part in the bidding process.
WFS has already announced plans to accelerate its growth by “exploring more business opportunities and implementing its acquisition strategy” under new owners Platinum Equity, which has more than $6bn of assets under management.
Olivier Bijaoui, executive chairman, president and chief executive of WFS, said that the company plans to double in size in the next few years through strategic acquisitions in key markets, partnerships and organic growth opportunities.
