In a recent interview with the Lagos Daily Independent, SAHCOL’s MD, Olu Owolabi, talked about the progress that the handling company was making, including the ongoing construction of the new cargo warehouse. One interesting comment he made, in response to a question about how handlers could be helped more in their activities, was that of GSE tariffs: import duties continued to be a stumbling block, he felt, and this was one factor contributing to the lack of interest in ground handling operations from outsiders. When airlines were taxed with extra fees by the government, their immediate reaction was one of trying to pass on these costs to the handler. This he felt unjust from the handler’s viewpoint.
Iberia Airport Services optimistic
As many readers know, ground handling activity in Spain has been driven by the AENA licence process. The preparation of the 22 small airport tenders (in three groups) was the focus of the first part of the year; now, the attention has shifted to the airports with more than 1m passengers. Iberia Airport Services is an active participant in this process, having already this year renewed or extended contracts with the likes of LAN, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, SAS and Aeroflot. New business has centred on Pullmantur Air and Ethiopian Airlines; and there has been additional activity with Aer Lingus.
Its confidence in the tendering process has led it to formulate a very ambitious investment plan that will take effect in conjunction with the new licence period. The plan includes high-tech and environmentally-friendly equipment; in the recent past, though, it has renewed its GSE requirements with Cobus for Euro 5 buses, and has invested in electric beltloaders and Commander high loaders, as part of its concern over the green situation.
Fraport invests in Slovenia
Fraport has bought a 75.5% stake in Slovenia’s main airport, Aerodrom Ljubljana, in an effort to extend its international reach.
Fraport, which operates Europe’s third-largest airport at Frankfurt, revealed that the purchase price for the stake was €177.1m; it is also expecting to make an offer for the remaining shares.
Speaking about the venture, Fraport’s Chief Executive, Stefan Schulte, said that he considered the stake in the light of a long term investment.
Aerodrom handled some 1.3m passengers in 2013, accruing revenues of about €31m.
Fonte: Ground Handling International
12/09/2014
