London, UK-headquartered aviation services provider Menzies Aviation has announced that it is acquiring Spirit Cargo Handling, an airfreight handler owned by SAS Ground Handling Norway.
The acquisition represents the company’s first air cargo operation and warehouse in Norway and will boost Menzies’ overall cargo handling capacity by 150,000 tonnes a year.
Much of the cargo handled by Spirit consists of high-demand products like salmon, as well as general cargo, and the work includes handling freighter services.
As part of the deal, Menzies will resume responsibility for the Spirit cargo warehouse at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, and for handling existing freighter operations at the airport.
Once the deal is completed, Spirit cargo operations will be rebranded as Menzies Aviation.
Menzies confirmed that teams are already working to ensure a seamless transition to ensure the delivery of secure, high-quality cargo handling from day one.
Strategic expansion
Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, executive vice president Europe at Menzies Aviation, commented: “This acquisition marks an exciting step forward in our strategic expansion as we strengthen our air cargo footprint across Europe.
“By adding a new cargo station to the Menzies global network, we’re building momentum in key markets and reinforcing our commitment to supporting cargo growth across the region.”
He continued: “These targeted investments are a clear signal of our ambition and confidence in the sector’s long-term potential.”
Beau Paine, executive vice president cargo at Menzies Aviation, added: “Our expansion into the Norwegian air cargo market demonstrates our continued focus on delivering consistent, high-quality service to our partner airlines, while enhancing the overall logistics supply chain.
“As we grow our global cargo network, we remain committed to being the cargo provider of choice through operational excellence, reliability, and innovation.”
Paine also pointed out that the addition of Oslo to the Menzies cargo handling network will take its global air cargo network to a total of 73 stations.
Menzies Aviation provides air cargo services including handling, warehousing and wholesale freight forwarding.
It handled some 2.4 million tonnes of cargo last year across 71 locations – a record figure, up 20% from 2m tonnes handled in 2023.
Menzies also offers ground services including passenger, lounge and ramp services and fuel services, including fuel farm management and into-plane fuelling.
In April this year, Menzies announced that it had signed a $305m agreement to acquire the US aviation services provider G2.
The transaction to purchase G2 was subject to regulatory approvals and was expected to complete in June this year.
