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)

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has authorized $110 million to expand Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airports, adding eight new gates to accommodate passenger volumes that have already exceeded the facility’s design capacity.

Announced in a September 23, 2026, press release, the authorization addresses immediate capacity constraints at the $2.7 billion terminal. Originally designed to handle 13.6 million passengers annually when it opened in 2023, Terminal A processed approximately 18 million travelers in 2024. This rapid growth prompted the agency to accelerate expansion plans to maintain operational flexibility and improve the passenger experience.

Phased expansion and economic impact

The project is divided into two distinct phases. The southern expansion will utilize $100 million of the authorized funds to design and construct a 25,000-square-foot addition. This phase will add two common-use gates, along with new seating, restrooms, and concession spaces. Construction on the southern section is scheduled to begin in 2027, with an anticipated opening in 2029.

The remaining $10 million is allocated for planning, cost estimation, and construction phasing of a larger northern expansion. This second phase will eventually add six more gates, with a phased opening planned between 2030 and 2032.

The southern expansion alone is expected to generate $173 million in economic activity, including $76.6 million in wages. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill noted that the terminal has attracted far more passengers than anticipated, and the expansion will help meet traveler demand while creating jobs for the state.

Broader EWR Vision Plan integration

The Terminal A expansion fits into the Port Authority’s comprehensive EWR Vision Plan, which aims to overhaul the entire airport infrastructure. The current 33-gate Terminal A, operated by Munich Airport NJ, serves as the initial benchmark for these airport-wide upgrades.

Future phases of the EWR Vision Plan include replacing Terminal B with a new facility, upgrading Terminal C, and reconfiguring the airport taxiway and roadway networks. A new $3.5 billion automated AirTrain system is also under development and is expected to begin operations in 2030.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole stated that the agency left room for growth when designing Terminal A. He added that the new gates will provide modern passenger spaces comparable to the existing terminal while adding necessary flexibility for airport operations.

AirPro News analysis

The rapid saturation of Terminal A highlights a recurring challenge in major infrastructure planning, where actual demand frequently outpaces long-term design forecasts. Processing 18 million passengers in a facility designed for 13.6 million just one year after opening indicates robust travel demand and strong airline utilization at EWR. We view the swift $110 million authorization as a necessary operational relief valve rather than a luxury upgrade. By splitting the project into a near-term southern expansion and a longer-term northern build-out, the Port Authority is attempting to mitigate immediate gate constraints while buying time to integrate the larger six-gate addition with the upcoming AirTrain and Terminal B replacement projects.

Sources: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Royal Schiphol Group has initiated a procurement process for five major construction and maintenance tenders, marking a structural shift in how Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) will manage its infrastructure through the next decade.

Announced in a press release on September 25, 2026, the tenders are a foundational element of the Airports €10 billion investment program running through 2035. The new nine-year framework agreements will take effect in 2028 when current contracts expire, transferring greater direct control over asset planning and infrastructure management back to the airport operator.

Scope of the infrastructure overhaul

The €10 billion master plan, initially outlined in late 2025, targets overdue maintenance and funds major capital projects, including the construction of a new Terminal South and extensive renovations to existing piers. The five newly announced tenders divide the required work across terminals, technical installations, aprons, and operational buildings.

Specific assets covered under the upcoming Contracts include concrete aprons, passenger bridges, gate-based power, pre-conditioned air supply systems, and charging infrastructure. The scope also extends to technical rooms, retail units, climate control systems, and airport fire stations.

Royal Schiphol Group Chief Infrastructure Officer Bart Smolders described the initiative as the largest renewal and maintenance program in the airport’s history. The stated objective is to elevate the facility back to the standard of Europe’s leading aviation hubs.

Shifting the contracting model

The transition to new framework agreements in 2028 represents a change in Schiphol’s operational Strategy. Rather than fully outsourcing asset management, the airport intends to combine market expertise with increased internal direction and control.

Smolders noted that achieving the €10 billion renewal requires strong partners, with the tenders laying the foundation for long-term collaboration under this revised model. The nine-year duration of the framework agreements is designed to provide stability for these Partnerships while ensuring the airport maintains oversight of its critical infrastructure.

AirPro News analysis

We view this procurement strategy as part of a broader consolidation effort by Royal Schiphol Group to regain operational authority over its critical services. This mirrors recent moves on the ramp; in June 2026, the airport reduced its authorized ground handling companies from six to three following a public tender process. While that specific reduction faces legal challenges from outgoing providers, the overarching strategy is clear. By bringing asset planning and infrastructure management closer to the center, Schiphol is attempting to eliminate the fragmentation that can delay major modernization projects and complicate daily operations.

Sources: Royal Schiphol Group