By Tuba Sahin
ANKARA (AA) - Turkiye-based global ground handler Havas on Friday acquired Crotia's MZLZ Ground Handling Services operating at Zagreb Airport.
Havas took over passenger, ramp, representation and supervision services, flight operation, load control and communication services as well as cargo and mail services at the airport in the capital city, the company said in a statement.
Zagreb becomes the 31st airport in the portfolio of Havas, with nearly 500 employees and a machine park consisting of 176 motorized and 346 wheeled equipment.
Havas' General Manager Mete Erna said nearly 30 airlines fly to Zagreb Airport, which is a significant touristic destination in the Adriatic.
"We will increase the efficiency of our operations, sustain our investments in ground handling services and continue to be the preferred business partner of airlines,” Erna said.
In 2019, Zagreb Airport welcomed more than 3.4 million passengers and 45,000 flights, beside seeing almost 13,000 tons of cargo.
Due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the passenger traffic in 2021 was around 41% of 2019.
The consortium including TAV Airports and Groupe ADP holds the right to operate Zagreb Airport until 2042.
Havas, a TAV Airports and Groupe ADP company, operates at 29 airports in Turkiye, as well as Zagreb Airport in Croatia and Riga Airport in Latvia.
Established in 1958, Havas provides passenger transportation service between airports and city centers.