Swissport International AG has signed binding transaction agreements to form a strategic joint venture with UNEX Aviation Services, establishing the global aviation services provider’s first operational footprint in Indonesia.

Announced in a company press release on September 28, 2026, the partnerships involves Swissport acquiring a stake in the Jakarta-based ground handling company, officially known as PT UNEX Rajawali Indonesia. The joint venture will initially focus on operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, with plans to expand cargo, ramp handling, and passenger services to additional Airports across the archipelago.

Targeting Southeast Asian market growth

The expansion positions Swissport to capitalize on a rapidly scaling sector. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that Indonesia will become the fourth-largest aviation market globally by 2030. The country recorded approximately 101 million domestic and international passengers and handled roughly 1 million tonnes of air freight in 2024.

Swissport President and CEO Warwick Brady highlighted the strategic value of the new partnership in the company’s official statement.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with IATA forecasting it to become the fourth-largest globally by 2030. This joint venture is a significant step in our successful strategy to expand our cargo business, while providing a strong platform to strengthen our ground-handling presence in Southeast Asia.”

UNEX Aviation Services, founded in 2003, brings established local infrastructure to the joint venture. Founder and CEO Budiman Tedja stated that Swissport’s global network and industry expertise will help UNEX expand its service offerings and strengthen operational capabilities to support the continued growth of the Indonesian aviation sector.

Expanding the Asia-Pacific footprint

The Indonesian joint venture adds to Swissport’s existing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, the company’s regional operations handled approximately 25 million passengers, 632,000 flights, and 450,000 tonnes of cargo, supported by a workforce of 10,000 employees.

Regional metrics indicate sustained demand for aviation services. International traffic within Asia increased by 11.9 percent in 2025, while air cargo demand for Asia-Pacific airlines saw an 8.4 percent year-on-year growth during the same period.

Brady noted that Indonesia’s geography, which spans thousands of islands and supports a population exceeding 280 million, makes aviation critical for connecting people and trade. He added that combining Swissport’s hub operations expertise with UNEX’s local knowledge will support airline and cargo growth across Asia.

A broader acquisition strategy

The UNEX partnership follows a series of targeted international expansions by Swissport in 2026. On September 21, 2026, the company announced its entry into Colombia through the acquisition of GHI, a ground-handling and logistics provider at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. Earlier in the year, on June 3, 2026, Swissport launched operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Brady confirmed that the company will continue to pursue mergers and acquisitions in dynamic aviation economies to create long-term value for customers and partners.

AirPro News analysis

We view Swissport’s entry into Indonesia as a calculated continuation of its broader strategy to capture market share in high-growth, geographically fragmented regions. Following its recent expansion into Colombia and Shanghai, the company is clearly prioritizing emerging markets where domestic connectivity relies heavily on aviation infrastructure. By utilizing a joint venture model with an established local entity like UNEX rather than attempting a greenfield startup, Swissport mitigates the regulatory and operational risks typical of entering the Indonesian market. This approach allows the company to immediately integrate local expertise while deploying its global standardized safety and operational protocols.

Sources: Swissport International AG (Indonesia JV)

This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.

Avion Express has deployed three Airbus A320 aircraft to Antalya Airport (AYT) to operate on behalf of Turkish leisure carrier Corendon Airlines under a new wet-lease agreement.

The arrangement, announced in late September 2026, provides Corendon Airlines with immediate narrowbody capacity to support its flight operations from the Mediterranean holiday destination.

ACMI deployment in Turkey

The charter and Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) operator confirmed the start of operations via an official company statement. The three Airbus A320s will be based in Antalya, which serves as a major operational hub for Corendon Airlines.

Avion Express stated the aircraft are ready to begin operations, noting the company will provide ACMI services in support of the Turkish airline’s network. The operator expressed optimism for the collaboration, stating they look forward to a “smooth, successful, and long-lasting partnership throughout the operation.”

Capacity management for leisure carriers

Wet-lease agreements remain a standard mechanism for European and Mediterranean leisure Airlines to manage seasonal capacity fluctuations. By utilizing ACMI providers, carriers can scale their fleets to meet peak passenger demand without the long-term financial commitments associated with permanent aircraft acquisitions or dry leases.

Corendon Airlines focuses heavily on tourist traffic between Europe and holiday destinations in Turkey. The addition of three A320s allows the airline to maintain schedule reliability and absorb demand spikes from its Antalya base.

AirPro News analysis

We view this deployment as a continuation of the strong demand for narrowbody ACMI lift across the European leisure market. With ongoing Supply-Chain constraints and aircraft Delivery delays affecting operators globally, specialized wet-lease providers like Avion Express are positioned to fill critical capacity gaps. The choice of the Airbus A320 offers Corendon Airlines a standardized platform well-suited for short- to medium-haul holiday routes.

Sources: Avion Express