Menzies Aviation
A global aviation-services provider specializing in airport ground handling, air cargo, aircraft fueling, and related airport operations.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Menzies Aviation is a United Kingdom-founded aviation-services company whose operations center on the activities that support airlines, airports, cargo operators, and aircraft between flights. Its principal services include passenger and ramp ground handling, baggage and aircraft turnaround support, cargo handling and logistics, aircraft fueling, de-icing, and other airport-based operational services. The business is headquartered in Edinburgh and operates internationally across a large network of airports. The brand's roots lie in John Menzies, a bookselling and newspaper-distribution business established in Edinburgh in 1833. The company opened its first airport bookstall at Turnhouse Airport in 1948 and developed considerable expertise in moving newspapers and magazines through transport networks. That distribution capability later provided a platform for the creation and expansion of aviation-related cargo operations. Air Menzies International was established in 1976 to provide wholesale airfreight and express services to freight forwarders, customs brokers, packaging companies, and courier agents. Menzies began moving decisively into airport services during the late twentieth century. It acquired Scan International Group and Cargosave in 1987, acquired Air Menzies International in 1993, and expanded at Heathrow through the purchase of Concorde Express Transport in 1995. The acquisition of Ogden Aviation in 2000 brought the company into aircraft ground handling and significantly broadened its international aviation footprint. During the 2000s it added operations in markets including Australia and the United States. The company subsequently strengthened its position in aircraft fueling through the acquisition of Aircraft Service International Group from BBA Aviation in 2017. It also simplified its wider corporate portfolio by selling the Menzies distribution division in 2018, allowing management to focus more closely on aviation services. The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe effect on the aviation sector: in 2020, Menzies reported a substantial reduction in staffing and a 60 percent fall in the number of flights it handled during the second quarter. Menzies continued expanding after the pandemic through acquisitions, operating-license wins, and market entry. It acquired Agunsa Aviation Services in 2022, increasing its ground and cargo-handling presence in Chile. In August 2022, Agility Logistics acquired John Menzies plc for £571 million and announced plans to combine the business with its National Aviation Services subsidiary under the Menzies Aviation brand. This transaction changed Menzies Aviation from the aviation arm of a publicly traded UK group into a business controlled by Agility. Subsequent expansion included a majority investment in Jamaica-based AJAS Limited, additional operations in Mexico, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Italy, and new operating licenses in Canada, Costa Rica, and Chile. In 2024, Menzies formed Menzies CNAC Aviation Services after acquiring a 50 percent stake in Jardine Aviation Services Group in Hong Kong, and obtained a 50.1 percent controlling interest in Groundforce Portugal. In 2025, the company announced an agreement to acquire G2 Secure Staff for US$305 million, further expanding its US airport-services platform. The resulting business is positioned as a large, multi-service aviation operator serving airlines and airports across approximately 350 airports in 65 countries, subject to the completion and integration status of announced transactions.
History
Menzies Aviation traces its corporate ancestry to John Menzies, whose first bookselling shop opened on Princes Street in Edinburgh in 1833. The original business developed into a major bookselling, newsagency, and newspaper-distribution network. A branch in Greenock was destroyed during the Greenock Blitz in 1941, illustrating the wartime disruption experienced by the company before its later diversification. The connection with aviation began in 1948, when John Menzies opened its first airport bookstall at Turnhouse Airport in Edinburgh. Airport retail became part of a broader transport-oriented network, while the company's newspaper and magazine distribution operations developed expertise in moving time-sensitive publications at scale. John Menzies acquired Wyman & Sons in 1959 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in October 1962. In 1976, the company established Air Menzies International to provide wholesale airfreight and express services to professional intermediaries, including freight forwarders, customs brokers, packaging companies, and courier agents. The first substantial move into what became its core aviation-services business came in 1987, when John Menzies acquired Scan International Group and Cargosave handling companies. Air Menzies International was acquired in 1993, and the company's Heathrow presence expanded in 1995 through the acquisition of Concorde Express Transport. John Menzies closed its principal Edinburgh retail branch in January 1998, while its head office remained in the building. In May of that year, the retail operation was sold to WHSmith. The divestment enabled the group to concentrate on distribution and aviation-related activities rather than maintaining a large consumer-retail estate. The acquisition of Ogden Aviation in 2000 marked a major strategic turning point. It brought Menzies into aircraft ground handling and accelerated the international development of its airport-services business. By 2006, the company had begun providing cargo and ground-handling services in Australia and the United States. In 2007, John Menzies combined its Northern Irish newspaper and magazine wholesale distribution activities with Eason & Son in the EM News Distribution joint venture; it later acquired the remaining 50 percent in 2017. Aviation became increasingly central to the group. On 31 January 2017, Menzies Aviation completed the acquisition of Aircraft Service International Group from BBA Aviation for US$202 million. The transaction added specialist aircraft-fueling capabilities and broadened the company's ability to serve airlines and airports with multiple operational services. In 2018, following the collapse of a proposed merger between Menzies Distribution and DX Group, the distribution division was sold to private-equity firm Endless. The former owner retained a 10 percent interest, but the disposal further focused the business on aviation. The COVID-19 pandemic produced a severe operational shock. In March 2020, Menzies confirmed that the collapse in global air travel had badly affected its business. It reduced its headcount by more than 17,500, and the number of flights handled worldwide fell by 60 percent in the second quarter of 2020. The company resumed expansion as aviation recovered. In April 2022 it acquired Agunsa Aviation Services, a Santiago-based provider of ground and air cargo handling. In August 2022, Agility Logistics acquired John Menzies plc for £571 million. Agility stated that it intended to integrate Menzies with its National Aviation Services subsidiary and operate the combined business under the Menzies Aviation name. This transaction ended the company's public-market status as part of John Menzies plc and placed the aviation business within Agility's privately controlled logistics portfolio. From 2023 onward, Menzies expanded through a combination of acquisitions, new licenses, and operating growth. It acquired a majority stake in Jamaica-based AJAS Limited and expanded in Mexico, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Italy. It also obtained new operating licenses in Canada, Costa Rica, and Chile. In 2024, its 50 percent investment in Jardine Aviation Services Group in Hong Kong led to the creation of Menzies CNAC Aviation Services. In the same period, Menzies obtained a 50.1 percent controlling interest in Groundforce Portugal, adding approximately 4,000 employees. In 2025, it announced the planned acquisition of G2 Secure Staff for US$305 million, extending its US footprint. These developments reflect a strategy centered on scale, geographic diversification, and the provision of several airport services to the same airline and airport customers.
- 2025
G2 Secure Staff acquisition announced
[1]The company announced a US$305 million acquisition intended to expand its United States airport-services platform.
- 2024
Expansion in Hong Kong and Portugal
[1]Menzies formed Menzies CNAC Aviation Services through a Hong Kong investment and acquired control of Groundforce Portugal.
- 2022
Agility Logistics acquires John Menzies
[1]Agility acquired the company for £571 million and announced integration with National Aviation Services under the Menzies Aviation brand.
- 2020
Pandemic-driven contraction
[1]The COVID-19 crisis led to a workforce reduction of more than 17,500 and a 60 percent fall in handled flights during the second quarter.
- 2017
Aircraft fueling capability added through ASIG acquisition
[1]Menzies completed the US$202 million acquisition of Aircraft Service International Group from BBA Aviation.
- 2006
Expansion into Australia and the United States
[1]Menzies began providing cargo and ground-handling services in Australia and the United States.
- 2000
Ogden Aviation acquisition expands ground handling
[1]The acquisition brought Menzies into aircraft ground handling and accelerated its international aviation expansion.
- 1987
Entry into core aviation handling
[1]Acquisitions of Scan International Group and Cargosave marked the company's first major move into aviation handling.
- 1976
Air Menzies International is established
[1]The company created a wholesale airfreight and express-services business for professional freight and courier intermediaries.
- 1962
John Menzies is listed on the London Stock Exchange
[1]The parent company became publicly traded in October 1962.
Products and positioning
A global, multi-service aviation infrastructure partner for airlines, airports, cargo operators, and other aviation customers, combining ground handling, cargo, and fueling capabilities across international airport networks.
Airport operations · 2000
Ground handling
Menzies provides airline and airport ground-handling activities associated with aircraft turnarounds. These services include ramp support, baggage handling, passenger-related processing, aircraft servicing, and coordination of the operational tasks required before departure and after arrival. The business was materially expanded through the Ogden Aviation acquisition in 2000 and subsequent international growth.
Cargo handling and logistics · 1976
Air cargo services
Through its aviation cargo operations and Air Menzies International heritage, the company handles airfreight and supports cargo logistics at airports. Air Menzies International was created in 1976 to serve freight forwarders, customs brokers, packaging companies, and courier agents rather than retail consumers. Later acquisitions and market expansion extended cargo-handling capabilities across multiple regions.
Aviation technical services · 2017
Aircraft fueling
Menzies offers aircraft-fueling services as part of its airport-services portfolio. This capability was strengthened substantially by the 2017 acquisition of Aircraft Service International Group from BBA Aviation. Fueling enables the company to provide another essential turnaround service alongside ramp, passenger, baggage, and cargo operations.
Passenger services
Passenger and airport support services
The company's airport support activities include passenger-facing and operational services delivered on behalf of airlines and airport customers. The exact service mix varies by station and contract, but the offering is positioned as part of a broader airport-services platform rather than as a consumer travel brand.
Brand decisions
2025
Planned acquisition of G2 Secure StaffM&ABackground
Menzies aimed to increase its scale in the United States and extend its airport-services coverage.
Action taken
The company announced the acquisition of G2 Secure Staff for US$305 million.
Aftermath
The announced transaction was expected to expand Menzies' US operations and support a network of approximately 350 airports in 65 countries, subject to completion and integration.
Announced acquisition consideration. US$305 million (2025)
2024
Expansion through Jardine Aviation Services Group and Groundforce PortugalM&ABackground
Menzies continued pursuing geographic scale and greater control of airport-services operations in strategically important markets.
Action taken
The company acquired a 50 percent stake in Jardine Aviation Services Group in Hong Kong, forming Menzies CNAC Aviation Services, and obtained a 50.1 percent controlling interest in Groundforce Portugal.
Aftermath
The transactions expanded Menzies' Asia-Pacific and European networks and added approximately 4,000 employees through the Portugal investment.
2022
Acquisition by Agility Logistics and integration with National Aviation ServicesM&ABackground
Agility Logistics sought to combine Menzies' aviation platform with its National Aviation Services business.
Action taken
Agility acquired John Menzies plc for £571 million and announced plans to integrate the operations with National Aviation Services under the Menzies Aviation brand.
Aftermath
Menzies Aviation became a privately controlled Agility business rather than a separately listed UK aviation subsidiary.
Acquisition consideration. £571 million (4 August 2022)
2018
Sale of the distribution divisionStrategyBackground
A proposed merger between Menzies Distribution and DX Group collapsed in 2017, prompting a reassessment of the group's non-aviation portfolio.
Action taken
The distribution division was sold to private-equity firm Endless, with the former owner retaining a 10 percent stake.
Aftermath
The transaction further concentrated the group on aviation services.
2017
Acquisition of Aircraft Service International GroupM&ABackground
Menzies wanted to broaden its airport-services portfolio with specialist aircraft-fueling capabilities.
Action taken
Menzies acquired Aircraft Service International Group from BBA Aviation for US$202 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened Menzies' position as a multi-service aviation provider serving airlines and airports.
Acquisition consideration. US$202 million (31 January 2017)
2000
Acquisition of Ogden AviationM&ABackground
Menzies sought to expand beyond distribution and cargo into a broader set of airport operating services.
Action taken
The company acquired Ogden Aviation, entering and expanding its aircraft ground-handling activities.
Aftermath
Ground handling became a central part of the company's international aviation-services strategy.
1998
Retail divestment to focus on distribution and aviationStrategyBackground
John Menzies had operated a substantial network of booksellers and newsagents, but the group increasingly emphasized distribution and aviation-related activities.
Action taken
The company sold its retail operation to WHSmith in May 1998 after closing its principal Edinburgh branch earlier that year.
Aftermath
The disposal reduced the consumer-retail footprint and enabled greater concentration on the businesses that developed into Menzies Aviation and related distribution operations.
Recent events
- 2025
Menzies announces acquisition of G2 Secure Staff[1]
M&A
The company announced a US$305 million acquisition of G2 Secure Staff to expand its United States airport-services operations and increase its international airport network.
- 2024
Menzies forms Hong Kong aviation-services joint venture[1]
M&A
A 50 percent investment in Jardine Aviation Services Group resulted in the formation of Menzies CNAC Aviation Services.
- 2024
Menzies takes control of Groundforce Portugal[1]
M&A
Menzies acquired a 50.1 percent controlling interest in Groundforce Portugal, adding approximately 4,000 employees to its aviation-services network.
- 2023
Menzies Aviation takes a majority stake in AJAS[1]
M&A
The company acquired a majority stake in Jamaican ground and cargo-handling provider AJAS Limited.
- 2023
Menzies expands across several international aviation markets[1]
Other
The company expanded operations in Mexico, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Italy and obtained new operating licenses in Canada, Costa Rica, and Chile.
- 2022
Menzies Aviation acquires Agunsa Aviation Services[1]
M&A
Menzies acquired the Santiago-based ground and air cargo handling company, strengthening its Chilean and broader Latin American aviation-services presence.
- 2022
Agility Logistics acquires John Menzies[1]
M&A
Agility Logistics completed the acquisition of John Menzies plc for £571 million and announced plans to integrate the business with National Aviation Services while retaining and expanding the Menzies Aviation brand.
- 2020
Menzies Aviation confirms major COVID-19 impact and workforce reduction[1]
Other
The company reported that the pandemic had severely reduced aviation activity, including a 60 percent decline in globally handled flights during the second quarter, and reduced its headcount by more than 17,500.
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