Swissport is set to enter the Colombian aviation services market after signing a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Giraldo Hermanos International SAS (GHI), establishing a new platform for the expansion of its ground handling and air cargo operations in South America.
The transaction will extend Swissport’s Latin American network, where the company currently operates at 85 airports across 15 countries. It also gives the aviation services provider an established operating base in Colombia, one of the region’s key passenger and international air cargo markets.
Established Colombian cargo platform
GHI operates in Bogotá and Medellín and is licensed to provide ground handling services at major airports across Colombia. Its portfolio includes passenger and air cargo handling, assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and equipment rental.
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The company serves a diversified group of airline and cargo customers, including Copa Airlines, Air Europa, Turpial Airlines, Solar Cargo and FedEx. Founded in Bogotá in 2013, GHI is part of Grupo GIRAG Panamá, which has more than four decades of experience in aviation services. GHI is also IATA ISAGO-certified.
For Swissport, the acquisition provides an established local platform from which to develop its presence in Colombia while combining GHI’s market knowledge with the Swissport global network and operating capabilities.
Rene Pascua, Swissport’s CEO for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the acquisition is aligned with the company’s regional growth strategy and noted that Swissport has been in discussions with several international customers interested in its entry into Colombia.
Colombia’s growing air cargo significance
Colombia represents an important market for international air freight in the region and is particularly significant for time-sensitive exports, including flowers.
According to Swissport, Colombia is the second-largest international air freight market in South America. Trade between Colombia and the United States accounted for the region’s largest international air cargo flow, with approximately 500,000 tonnes transported in 2025.
The country’s geographic position and strong export base have made air cargo an important component of its international trade infrastructure. The acquisition therefore gives Swissport access to a market where cargo handling requirements extend across high-value and time-sensitive commodities as well as broader international freight flows.
Combining global and local expertise
Swissport President and CEO Warwick Brady said Colombia represents a strategically important growth market and that GHI provides an established operational foundation from which the company can develop its presence.
The acquisition will bring together GHI’s local knowledge and established customer relationships with Swissport’s global network, technology and operational capabilities, with the companies planning to work together to further develop ground services for airlines and their customers across Colombia.
GHI CEO Francisco Giraldo said the partnership would combine the company’s local expertise and established operations with Swissport’s international capabilities, creating a platform for customers, employees and industry partners.
Part of wider global expansion
The Colombian agreement is the latest in a series of strategic moves by Swissport to expand its international aviation services and cargo footprint.
The company has recently strengthened its presence in several emerging and established markets. In June, Swissport launched operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, expanding its presence in China and adding a major global cargo hub to its network. In May, it signed an agreement to acquire Swiftair Maroc, marking its entry into Morocco’s cargo market through operations at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.
Swissport’s broader Latin American and Caribbean network currently spans 85 airports, with operations covering ground handling, air cargo and other aviation services. The company says its regional network handled more than one million flights and 72 million passengers in 2025, alongside operations at 17 warehouses.
Transaction awaits regulatory approval
Completion of the Colombian transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Following completion, Swissport and GHI are expected to work together to build on GHI’s existing platform and further develop the quality, reliability and reach of ground and cargo handling services across the Colombian market.
The acquisition would mark another step in Swissport’s strategy of combining organic growth with targeted acquisitions to expand its aviation services network and increase its presence in strategically important cargo markets.
