Zagreb Airport is set to introduce a second ground handling provider after the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency selected Aviation Ground Handling Services, operating under the Aviapartner brand, following a public tender. The company has been awarded the right to provide services at Croatia’s busiest airport for a period of seven years. The decision covers baggage handling and ramp handling activities. Under Croatian regulations, the number of companies providing these services at Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik airports is limited to two. Zagreb Airport will now conclude a ground handling agreement with the selected provider. The date on which Aviapartner will begin operations has not yet been disclosed. It will join Havas, which is currently Zagreb Airport’s sole ground handling provider.

Founded in Belgium in 1949, Aviapartner is one of Europe’s largest independent ground handling companies. The group operates at 75 airports across Europe and Africa, employing more than 18,000 people and providing services to over 500 passenger and cargo airlines. It handles more than 120 million passengers, approximately 800.000 aircraft movements and around 300.000 tonnes of cargo annually. Its portfolio includes passenger, baggage and ramp handling, aircraft services, cargo operations and airport lounges. Zagreb will mark the company’s entry into the Croatian market.