Dnata acquires 30% stake in Italian ground handler

Tuesday, Sep 29, 2015

Dubai: Dnata is acquiring a 30 per cent stake in Italian airport ground handler Airport Handling SPA, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Dnata, an Emirates Group subsidiary, said it had reached an agreement to acquire the stake, which will include a “majority representation on the board through which it will control day-to-day operations.”

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The company has an option to acquire a further 40 per cent share as per the deal.

Airport Handling SPA was founded in 2014 and has 1,800 employees, and operates passenger, ramp and baggage services to over 60 airlines at Milan’s two major airports, Malpensa and Linate.

Airport Handling SPA will keep its name under the deal and employee contracts will not be affected, dnata said.

The transaction is subject to competition approval by Italian authorities and the European Union, which dnata said it expects to be achieved by the end of November 2015.

Stewart Angus, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President of International Airport Operations, said the 30 per cent acquisition of Airport Handling will add value to dnata’s business, customers and stakeholders.

In July 2015, dnata acquired Aviapartner’s ground handling operations at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for an undisclosed sum.

Staff Report