Marubeni to Take Stake in Swiss Ground-Based Handling Firm’s Unit

Tokyo, March 30 (Jiji Press)–Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. said Friday it will take a stake in a Japanese unit of Swissport International Ltd., a major provider of ground-based handling services at airports.

Marubeni will acquire a 49 pct stake in Swissport Japan Ltd., currently a wholly owned subsidiary of the Swiss firm. The Japanese unit provides ground-based handling services for international flights at major airports including Narita International. For international flight services, airlines usually commission to other firms most ground-based handling services, including the handling of luggage and cargo between flights.

Marubeni expects the Japanese market for such services to grow briskly, given the expansion plans at Narita International Airport and Kansai International Airport and the planned increase in international flights at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda.

Marubeni also hopes to start ground-handling and other airport- related services in emerging economies such as China and India.END

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