Aviation ground and cargo handling services firm Swissport International is buying Air BP’s share in AFS Aviation Fuel Services GmbH (AFS), the largest provider of into-plane-fuelling services in Germany with operations at 10 German as well as 2 Austrian airports.
The deal means that Swissport is taking over Air BP’s 50% stake in AFC (the holding company of AFS) and its 33.3% direct stake in AFS, as well as all AFC and AFS subsidiaries/associates.
The acquisition is subject to approval by German and Austrian competition authorities. On competition clearance, Swissport will own a majority stake of 66.6% (through direct and indirect shareholding) of AFS and assume operational and financial control of the business in co-operation with the co-shareholder DLH Fuel Company, a 100% subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
AFS Aviation Fuel Services GmbH has been specialising in aircraft refuelling services and has been an airport tank farm and into-plane fuelling operator since 1986. AFS is active at 10 German airports as well as two Austrian airports either through own branches or as operator on behalf of oil consortia/joint ventures.
