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.
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.
The company explains that the challenge relates to the structure and the way the tender process, promoted by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), was conducted.
SPdH, majority-owned by the British company Menzies, has filed an injunction at the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Lisbon to challenge the process of awarding ground handling licenses at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. This legal action aims to ensure that the process meets the necessary standards of technical rigor and operational realism.
The Clece/South consortium, winner of the tender for ground handling services, plans a “smooth transition” at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports and wants to ensure continuity of employment for the workers, according to IAG. In written responses sent to Lusa, IAG — which, through Iberia, owns the handling company South Europe, part of the consortium ...
The Clece/South consortium, winner of the ground-handling services tender, plans a 'smooth transition' at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports and seeks to ensure continuity of employment for staff, according to IAG.
The Azorean group is in consultation with employees to set up SATA Handling. The spin-off process should be completed this month and privatisation will start afterwards, fulfilling Brussels' 2022 plan.
SATA announced today that it expects to formalise in March the separation of its handling (ground assistance services) through the creation of a new company, and to begin the privatisation process for that service.
The Clece/South consortium, winner of the tender for handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, is already submitting the documentation requested by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). Menzies, defeated in the tender, says it is preparing a challenge to the result with its advisers...
The final report from the aviation regulator ANAC named the South/Clece consortium the winner of the tender for ground handling at the country’s main airports, a decision Menzies/Spdh is disputing.
“Disappointed” with the outcome of the tender awarding the ground handling licence for Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, won by the Spanish consortium Clece/South, Menzies is examining with its legal advisers how to challenge ANAC's decision. It also warns there are risks associated with transfer timelines and labour issues.
The Government has been conveying that the jobs at SPdH, formerly Groundforce and now Menzies Aviation Portugal, are safeguarded, but workers are deeply concerned about the future. Menzies is assessing whether to challenge the tender that awarded licences to the consortium that includes Iberia's ground handling services company.
The evaluation panel for the ground handling tender found that the Clece/South consortium's proposal provides a better allocation of human and material resources than Menzies'.
Meanwhile, quoted by the newspaper Eco, Menzies Aviation confirms that it “was formally notified of ANAC's final decision” and stresses its disagreement with the jury's choice.
Benfica coach José Mourinho says he wants to get back to winning ways. Meanwhile, a Spanish consortium made up of Cece and South has won the tender for handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports.
The consortium of Spain's Clece and South was ranked first in the final report of the tender for ground handling at Lisbon, Porto and Faro. Menzies, the current operator, disputes the decision.
The jury's final report on the public tender for the allocation of ground handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports upheld the victory of the consortium that includes Iberia's handling company, ECO has learned and SITAVA has confirmed. SPdH/Menzies, the current holder of the licences, is expected to appeal to the courts.
Home News Portugal airport staff strike announced Portugal airport staff strike announced SPdH/Menzies workers, who provide ground handling services at airports, will strike on December 31st and January 1st, due to the uncertainty generated by the tender for the allocation of licenses, which favo
