EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 5, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Following the acquisition of Aeroground Inc. in May 2006, Menzies Aviation (Menzies) is pleased to announce two further acquisitions in North America.
Menzies has signed a conditional agreement to purchase Catamount Holdings LLC (Catamount) a cargo services business in Chicago and also purchased the trade and assets of Integrated Airline Services Alliance LLC (IASA), a ground handler specialising in the low cost sector based at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Catamount provides a range of cargo services to airlines including Cathay Pacific, Swiss and Air India at Chicago O'Hare airport. It represents an important expansion of Menzies cargo handling operations in the U.S. following the acquisition earlier in the year of Aeroground, which operates at nine airports in North America, including Chicago O'Hare.
IASA, a privately held company, currently operates at five U.S. locations; Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Fort Myers, Atlanta and Minneapolis, and operates 560 turnrounds each week. IASA's main customers are Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines, fitting in perfectly with Menzies' existing mainly West coast based U.S. ground handling operations. In addition, IASA provides an entry into the U.S. low cost sector, which has been a successful growth area for Menzies in Europe.
Craig Smyth, Managing Director of Menzies Aviation, stated:
"The acquisition of these two businesses coupled with our acquisition of Aeroground Inc. significantly strengthens our U.S. business.
"The acquisition of Catamount Inc expands our existing cargo network and fits nicely with our existing business at Chicago O'Hare.
"IASA gives us an entry into ground handling on the East coast and in particular to the low cost sector which is a particular strength of our business in Europe. I am also delighted that it gives Menzies its 100th station. This is a major milestone for our business.
"We are committed to growing our global business. While we expand we will continue to focus on providing excellent customer service at every airport where we operate, every day."
Notes to Editors:
Menzies Aviation is one of the world's major independent suppliers of ground handling services to the aviation market providing passenger, ramp and cargo services for many of the world's leading airlines and some of the busiest international airports. The division employs some 12,000 people across the world, at 105 airports in 23 countries servicing more than 500 aviation customers.
Further information on Menzies Aviation plc can be found at: www.menziesaviation.com