Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)

Established in 1983, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) is a leading independent provider of airport services. American Airlines formed AMR Services Corporation to outsource its ramp, passenger, and terminal services. As a part of a divestiture of American Airline’s non-core business, AMR Services Corporation was sold to Castle Harlan, which named the purchased business Worldwide Flight Services. In 2001, the VINCI Group acquired WFS, and operated it as part of the VINCI Airport Management division. In 2002, the VINCI Group procured a majority stake holding in EFS (formerly SEN Group) and integrated this business within the WFS portfolio. WFS was acquired by Platinum Equity in Oct-2015.

WFS offers three business lines: Cargo Handling, Ground Handling Services (Baggage, Ramp, Fuelling, Passenger) and Technical Services.

On 28-Sep-2022, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) reached an agreement to acquire Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) for EUR2.25 billion. Following the close of the transaction, WFS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SATS and the WFS management team will continue to lead the business. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and SATS shareholder approval and is expected to close by 31-Mar-2023.

On 18-Jan-2023, SATS announced 96.8% of shareholders voted to approve the company's proposed acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services. With the receipt of shareholder approvals, the proposed acquisition remains subject to requisite regulatory approvals.

On 03-Apr-2023, Cerberus Capital Management announced one of its affiliates completed the sale of Worldwide Flight Services to SATS for an enterprise value of EUR2.25 billion.