Lufthansa is poised to significantly strengthen its operational control at Munich Airport, signaling a major commitment to the hub and its customers.
The airline giant has announced plans to explore taking over ground handling operations for its Lufthansa Group Airlines directly.
This strategic move centres around a potential full acquisition of Swissport Losch GmbH & Co. KG. Swissport Cargo Services Deutschland GmbH and Losch Airport Service München GmbH jointly own the operation presently.
The intention behind the acquisition is to ensure a greater level of operational stability and service reliability at Munich (MUC).
Acquisition of Swissport Losch
This potential acquisition, however, hinges on several critical factors. Securing the necessary operating licenses, and reaching a mutually beneficial commercial agreement are prerequisites.
Lufthansa must then obtain approval from relevant antitrust authorities for the deal to materialize. Despite these conditions, the letter of intent demonstrates Lufthansa’s clear vision for the Munich location.
Current Employees to be Retained
A core tenet of this planned takeover is the preservation of employment. Lufthansa intends to retain all current employees of Swissport Losch, offering them long-term career prospects within the Lufthansa Group.
This commitment signals the airline’s recognition of the skilled workforce at Munich Airport and its dedication to fostering a stable work environment.
Furthermore, the existing shareholders will continue to provide valuable advisory support during the transition to self-handling.
Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines and Hub Manager Munich commented on the proposed acquisition. “Securing jobs at Munich Airport and enhancing the travel experience for our customers are paramount to Lufthansa,” he said.
“Swissport Losch is a robust company with a longstanding partnership with Lufthansa. Its employees are exceptional, characterized by their professionalism, dedication, and superior service quality.”
This sentiment is echoed by Marc Losch, CEO of LOSCH Airport Service, who emphasized, “The future of Swissport Losch and its employees in Munich is of great importance to us. We are delighted to offer our employees a secure future with this prospect.”
Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International, was also agreeable to the proposal. “We are proud to support Lufthansa in the transition to their self-handling setup, building on our long-term partnership with the Lufthansa Group at Munich Airport.”
“Our global expertise, especially at major aviation hubs, will contribute to operational stability. The takeover of Swissport Losch by Lufthansa provides exciting prospects for Munich’s talented ground service professionals.”
Conclusion
This strategic move by Lufthansa aims to improve operational stability and reliability for its customers at Munich Airport.
By taking control of ground handling, the airline anticipates smoother operations and a more seamless travel experience. The acquisition reflects Lufthansa’s confidence in the Munich hub and its commitment to providing exceptional service.
The potential integration of Swissport Losch’s experienced workforce into the Lufthansa Group promises to further enhance the airline’s capabilities at this crucial location.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
