Aviator / Swissport’s London Gatwick ground handling assets merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Aviator LGW Limited of the assets of Swissport Limited’s ground handling business at London Gatwick.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 5 February 2016
• Last updated: 10 March 2016 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Aerospace
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 16 November 2015
• Closed: 10 March 2016

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
10 March 2016	Decision published
5 February 2016	Decision announced
5 January to 15 January 2016	Invitation to comment
5 January 2016	Launch of merger inquiry
13 November 2015	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

5 February 2016: The CMA has cleared the acquisition by Aviator LGW Limited of the assets of Swissport Limited’s ground handling business at London Gatwick. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (10.3.16)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

20 January 2016: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (21.1.16)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

5 January 2016: The CMA is considering whether it is or may not be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

5 January 2016: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (5.1.16)

Initial enforcement order

16 November 2015: On 13 November 2015, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Aviator Airport Services UK Limited, Aviator Airport Alliance Europe AB and Aviator LGW Limited in relation to the completed acquisition by Aviator LGW Limited of the assets of Swissport Limited’s ground handling business at London Gatwick.

• Initial enforcement order (16.11.15)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 20 November 2015 (27.11.15)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Alba Ziso
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

[email protected]

Published 5 February 2016
Last updated 10 March 2016 + show all updates

1. 10 March 2016

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 5 February 2016

   Clearance decision announced.