Latest news and stories about ground handling in Portugal for expats and residents.
The government will extend the current ground handling licenses held by Menzies at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. This decision follows an injunction filed by a competing company, with officials aiming to prevent potential operational issues during the busy summer season.
Information regarding the new operating licences for Portuguese airports.
The National Civil Aviation Authority has decided to award the new ground handling licenses at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports to SPdH/Menzies Aviation Portugal, thereby retaining the same operator. The ANAC concluded the evaluation process for the licensing conditions of SPdH — Serviços Portugueses de Handling, S.A. today [Friday].
The company stated that the Azores Airlines operation 'proceeded normally', with 'all scheduled flights completed'.
The licences for this service, currently provided by Menzies (SPdH), formerly Groundforce, may thus be extended for a total period not exceeding two years.
The privatisation of SATA's ground handling services is attracting some of the largest European players in the sector. Among the entities that expressed interest in the deal and were invited to submit non-binding proposals are Swissport, Menzies and Aviapartner, ECO has learned. SATA Holding announced last Friday the decision to invite the 11 entities that...
The Azorean government states that the results are a “historical accounting snapshot of the activity.” They noted that until April, the ground handling service was an internal unit of SATA Air Açores.
The aviation regulator has removed the Spanish consortium Union South from the tender for ground handling services at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports and has called upon SPdH, the former Groundforce controlled by Menzies, to move forward in the process.
The aviation regulator has disqualified the Spanish consortium Union South from the ground handling tender at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports, calling upon SPdH—formerly Groundforce and now controlled by Menzies—to move forward in the process. The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) confirmed the exclusion of the group formed by Clece and South Europe Ground Services, citing a failure to demonstrate the mobilization of necessary resources. The tender has been subject to legal challenges, and the government has extended current licenses until October 25 to ensure operational stability.
The aviation sector regulator confirms the exclusion of the Spanish consortium from providing handling services at Portuguese airports, despite it having placed first in the tender. Menzies, the current provider, will remain.
The aviation regulator confirms the disqualification of the winning bid in the ground handling tender for failing to meet the requirements to obtain the license, and invites SPdH to proceed.
The company South has announced its victory in the tender process and is starting the recruitment process for ground handling operations in Portugal.
Hassan El-Houry, chairman of Menzies Aviation, the British company that holds the majority of the capital of the former Groundforce, is confident that it will secure the new licences at Portuguese airports and is eyeing new business opportunities. The conflict in the Middle East is already having a financial impact. The Spanish consortium composed of Clece...
TAP announced this month an agreement to sell the 49.9% stake it holds in the former Groundforce to the owner of the remaining 50.1%, the British company Menzies Aviation. The price was not disclosed, but the chairman of the company, which operates in 347 airports worldwide, explains that the value will take into account the result of the...
The Government has extended the current ground handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports until October to ensure stability during the summer and await a court decision regarding the tender.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has filed a reasoned resolution in court to prevent the injunction filed by SPdH, majority-owned by Menzies, from halting the administrative procedures for awarding new ground handling licenses at airports, as reported by ECO. The company has already filed the main action contesting the process.
An injunction against the regulator ANAC's decision to award the ground handling contract to South/Clece has resulted in an extension of the current Menzies/SPdh licence.
Home News Portugal travel agencies worried about airport delays Portugal travel agencies worried about airport delays On 26 March, the Association of Travel Agencies cautioned that Portuguese airports could face operational instability this summer due to unresolved issues in the ground-handling l
The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV) expressed “concern this Thursday regarding the uncertainty surrounding the process of awarding ground handling licenses at Portuguese airports,” warning of the “risk of operational disruptions during critical phases for national tourism.” “This situation raises serious doubts regarding the operational stability of...”
In a statement, the entity expressed concern regarding the uncertainty surrounding the process of granting ground handling licenses.
The tender for the allocation of new ground handling licences at the airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro is causing concern among workers and airlines, given the uncertainty of the process's outcome. One thing seems certain: if the Spanish group is selected, TAP will move forward with self-handling and may subcontract...
At the beginning of the year, the regulator awarded the Clece/South consortium the license to provide ground handling services at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports for seven years.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) rejects the criticisms made by Menzies (SPdH) regarding the process of the tender for new ground handling licences at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports, ensuring that it complied with the legal framework. The regulator confirms the submission of documentation by the selected consortium, which brings together Clece and...
TAP may move to self-handling if the Spanish consortium Clece/South remains the winner of the international tender for ground handling licenses at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. This assurance was given to workers of Menzies/SPdH, the current operator, which placed second in the tender managed by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). TAP is the main client for Menzies, and if the airline decides not to contract with the Spanish consortium, South's operation could be compromised due to a lack of staff, as TAP would likely absorb the majority of the existing workforce. Meanwhile, Menzies has filed an injunction in court to challenge the tender, and unions are threatening to contest the process, citing concerns over job security and the legality of the criteria set by the regulator.
The Clece/South consortium, winner of the tender for ground handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, has submitted the required documentation to the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), completing another stage of the process to operate in Portugal, ECO learned from a source close to the matter. The regulator will now assess compliance.
The company states that it disagrees with the design of the tender process and the way it was conducted.
Menzies (SPdH) has filed an injunction with the Lisbon Administrative and Tax Court challenging the structure and conduct of the tender launched by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) for ground handling licenses at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. The company argues that the tender criteria fail to reflect the operational complexity and safety requirements of high-traffic airports, warning of potential service disruptions and risks to Portugal's tourism image due to the lack of a robust transition plan. Menzies, which currently holds the licenses until May, questions the operational viability of the winning consortium led by Iberia, citing concerns over staffing levels and equipment, and seeks to ensure that the final decision prioritizes operational resilience and international best practices.
