Worldwide Flight Services and Aviapartner to join forces

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Aviapartner stated (19-Jun-2012) their respective shareholders have agreed to combine the two companies, with Aviapartner to join WFS. The combination will "create the European leader and global second largest player in ground handling services," the companies said. The new group will be controlled by LBO France, WFS' majority shareholder. Shareholders of the new entity will include Aviapartner's shareholders including 3i, which will be represented on WFS' board of directors. The new group will continue to develop the existing brands. Global cargo handling activities as well as passenger handling activities outside Europe will be run under the WFS brand name. The Aviapartner brand will be used for the development of passenger handling activities in Europe. The group will employ approximately 17,000 people and will continue to offer direct and indirect job opportunities in France, Belgium and other countries where it operates. European passenger handling activities will be managed from Aviapartner's head office and historical base in Brussels (Zaventem). The group will be headquartered at WFS' current head office in Paris. Olivier Bijaoui, chairman of the WFS management board will become president of the new entity. Laurent Levaux, president of Aviapartner, will be vice-president of the new entity. The transaction is subject to the prior approval of the relevant competition authorities. [more - original PR]