Dubai: dnata, the world's fourth largest air services provider, and Wings Inflight Services, an inflight catering services provider with operations in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Thursday announced that dnata has acquired a 50 per cent interest in Wings.
The remaining 50 per cent held by Mentor Africa Limited and management.
The Wings business was founded in 2009 and currently employs 200 staff across the two airports, providing high quality inflight catering services to a number of airline customers including Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Thai Airways.
Catering
This transaction represents dnata's third investment in the airline catering industry and its interest in Wings will enhance its international network which extends to 76 airports in 38 countries.
Stewart Angus, dnata's DSVP - Associated Companies said: "From being a new entrant two years ago, Wings has already developed its reputation as a leading caterer in the South African market, winning major contracts from high calibre international airline customers. Wings has a very strong and experienced management team and modern efficient catering units".
"The airline catering industry in South Africa is in a dynamic growth phase with strong growth in passenger numbers. Airline customers are increasingly demanding competitive prices while insisting on world class standards and service. Wings is uniquely positioned to benefit from the knowledge, experience and international network of dnata, as well as from being part of the Emirates Group," said Gerhard Reiling, Wings' CEO.
Confidence
"dnata's new investment into Wings is a demonstration of confidence not only in the strong growth prospects of Wings, but also in the economic potential of South Africa itself. This holds the promise of leveraging Wings' South African operations as a base to expand Wings' service offering elsewhere, for which Wings is already well equipped," added Stephen Levenberg, Mentor Africa's CEO.
