Avianca Acquires 90% Stake in Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados

Avianca Holdings S.A., still in the midst of a pilot strike that has disrupted operations for two months in Colombia, closed recently on the acquisition of a 90% stake in Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados (SAI).

The deal was agreed to in principle on October 17 and closed on October 30 after all the conditions were met. Hernán Rincón, executive president and CEO of the Bogotá-based airline, called the acquisition a “key step in the development of Avianca’s stretegic plan.”

SAI was founded more than 30 years ago and supports ground operations such as aircraft dispatch, provisioning stairs on the tarmac for entering aircraft, engine starting, counter check-in, cabin cleaning, and re-stocking aircraft with consumables.

The company will continue to service not only Avianca flights but those of other airlines, which lead Rincón to praise the move both for its ability to “optimize ground service” for his company’s operations while also “diversifying the income of the holding company.”

SAI operates at all of Colombia’s largest airports, including Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport, Medellín’s José María Córdova International Airport, Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport, and Cali’s Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport.

Photo: An Avianca 787 on the tarmac at José María Córdova International Airport near Medellín in Colombia. (Credit: Avianca)