The Swiss company Swissport International has signed a binding agreement to acquire Swiftair Maroc – an air cargo handling operator based at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. This deal was concluded less than a month after the acquisition of a controlling stake in CV Handling in Cape Verde and marks another step in Swissport’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Northwest Africa. Casablanca Airport serves as Morocco’s primary air cargo hub, handling approximately 95% of the country’s total air cargo volume.
Swiftair Maroc operates a 3,700-square-meter warehouse facility located within the airport grounds, equipped with temperature-controlled infrastructure – including specialized cold storage areas for pharmaceuticals and perishable goods. Warwick Brady, President and CEO of Swissport International, noted that Morocco is becoming an increasingly vital market for global trade, thanks to its strategic location situated between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, as well as its robust export sectors: automotive, aerospace, agriculture, and textiles. According to Brady, the acquisition of Swiftair Maroc will accelerate the growth of Swissport’s global cargo business.
Swissport already maintains a multifaceted presence in Morocco: the company provides ground handling services at 16 airports across the country, manages FBO services in Marrakech, Casablanca, and Tangier, and is expanding its network of Aspire lounges at nine airports. The company views the addition of cargo handling services as a logical extension of its integrated service offering. Swissport also identifies additional growth potential stemming from Morocco’s preparations to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as well as the country’s ongoing investments in its transport and aviation infrastructure. The transaction is expected to close following the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.