Brussels green light for HNA takeover of Swissport

Brussels regulators have approved the Sfr2.73bn acquisition of airport ground handler Swissport by Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.
Swissport is a major provider of airport ground handling, cargo handling, and related ground handling services, to airlines in Europe and abroad. HNA Group, owner of China’s fourth-largest airline, Hainan Airlines, manages several airlines active in the European Economic Area (EEA) and other aviation related enterprises.
The European Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because “the companies’ activities do not overlap”.
The commission added: “Moreover, the merged entity would not be able to shut out suppliers of ground handling, cargo handling or offline cargo handling services competing with Swissport, given that HNA Group has a limited share in the demand for such services".
The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.