Black empowerment consortium foremost in the running
TWO COMPANIES, both with international links, are in line for the 51% share of Apron Services. An announcement in this regard is expected by the end of March.
The Transnet ground handling company has 70% of the business at airports in this country controlled by Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa). Swissport has the remaining 30%.
The services provided range from the manning of check-in desks in passenger sections, loading both baggage and cargo, and wheeling steps to aircraft, both passenger and freighter.
According to Bob Gurr, Apron Services executive manager for marketing, 51% of Apron Services is to be sold to a consortium comprising a black empowerment group and an international strategic equity partner.
Foremost in the running appears to be Equity Alliance, a black empowerment consortium, which consists of five medium-sized black businesses and 16 smaller ones which have linked with two UK partners, Serco Group and Menzie Aviation.
Two years ago when it was announced that Swissair had obtained a right of first refusal for control of Apron Services as part of its shareholders'agreement with SAA, Equity Alliance lodged a protest on the grounds that this would invalidate the bidding process which it had been promised.
The identity of the other bidder in Apron Services'privatisation process has not been disclosed, but is understood to be a company based in Korea which has linked up with a South African group.
