Swissport forms a joint venture with UNEX Aviation Services

Swissport International, the global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, has signed binding transaction agreements to form a strategic joint venture with Jakarta-based UNEX Aviation Services. The deal marks Swissport’s official entry into Indonesia, one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and rapidly growing aviation markets, while significantly bolstering its operational presence across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Under the terms of the agreement, Swissport will acquire a stake in UNEX Aviation Services, an established ground handling company boasting more than four decades of experience within the Indonesian aviation industry. Founded in 2003 in its current structure, UNEX Aviation Services currently provides comprehensive air cargo warehousing and associated services to both international and domestic airlines operating at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, while holding nationwide ground handling licences.

The strategic partnership is designed to leverage Swissport’s global scale alongside UNEX’s extensive local expertise. Beyond their initial focus on air cargo warehousing, the two companies plan to broaden their service portfolio to encompass ramp handling and passenger services. Furthermore, the joint venture aims to expand operations to additional key airports across the Indonesian archipelago.

Warwick Brady, President and CEO of Swissport International, highlighted the strategic rationale behind the expansion, stating: “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. With its unique geography spanning thousands of islands and a population of more than 280 million, aviation plays a critical role in connecting people, businesses and trade across Indonesia. We bring extensive expertise in complex hub operations, safety, operational excellence and technology. By combining our global capabilities with UNEX Aviation Services local expertise, we are ready to support the growth of airlines and cargo across Asia. As we execute our plans, we will continue to pursue M&A opportunities in the most dynamic aviation economies creating long-term value for our customers, partners and Swissport.”

Budiman Tedja, Founder and CEO of UNEX Aviation Services, expressed equal optimism regarding the partnership, noting: “This joint venture is a crucial step forward for UNEX Aviation Services. Swissport’s global network, industry expertise and proven track record will help us expand our service offering, strengthen our operational capabilities and support the continued growth of Indonesia’s aviation sector. There are significant opportunities to deliver new solutions for our customers and set new benchmarks for aviation services in Indonesia.”

Indonesia represents a vital growth pillar for regional and international aviation. Spanning over 17,000 islands, the archipelago relies heavily on air transport for domestic connectivity, international trade, and socio-economic integration. In 2024, Indonesia recorded approximately 101 million domestic and international passengers, with air freight volumes reaching roughly one million tonnes.

The transaction also builds upon Swissport’s established footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, where it operates across key markets including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2025, Swissport’s Asia-Pacific operations successfully handled approximately 25 million passengers, 632,000 flights, and 450,000 tonnes of cargo, supported by a workforce of 10,000 employees.

With regional aviation experiencing strong momentum, as shown by an 11.9% increase in intra-Asian international traffic and an 8.4% growth in Asia-Pacific air cargo demand in 2025, this joint venture positions Swissport and UNEX Aviation Services to capitalise on expanding trade flows and passenger movement throughout Southeast Asia.