Menzies Aviation secures ground handling licenses in Portugal

Menzies Aviation, through its subsidiary SPdH (Serviços Portugueses de Handling), has secured ground handling licenses for Portugal's three largest airports: Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. The licenses, granted by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), are valid for seven years.

The decision follows the exclusion of a Spanish consortium composed of Clece and South Europe Ground Services. Although the consortium initially ranked highest in the tender, ANAC disqualified them for failing to demonstrate the capacity to mobilize necessary resources to begin operations. This exclusion follows a legal dispute initiated by SPdH regarding the initial tender results.

Menzies Aviation CEO Hassan El-Houry stated that Portugal is a “strategically important market” and a “fundamental gateway” between Europe, the Americas, and Africa. The company currently employs over 3,500 people in Portugal and assists more than 100,000 aircraft rotations annually. Menzies recently strengthened its position in the country by acquiring majority control of SPdH from TAP Air Portugal.