Portugal’s civil aviation regulator, ANAC, is preparing to revoke the victory previously awarded to the Spanish consortium Clece/South in a public tender for ground handling licenses. The licenses cover operations at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, and Faro, and were originally granted over the bid from Menzies/Spdh (formerly known as Groundforce).
Regulatory Findings and Procedural Steps
In a statement issued this Wednesday, ANAC announced it has decided to initiate a procedure to potentially declare the selection of the consortium—composed of Clece, S.A. And South Europe Ground Services, S.L., currently known as Union South ACE—as void.
The regulator explained that this decision follows an analysis of whether the consortium met the requirements established in the tender specifications. ANAC concluded that the documents submitted by the group suffered from a “set of cumulative vices (formal and material),” which prevent the awarding of licenses across various categories and airports.
Potential Shift in Airport Operations
The Spanish consortium now has ten business days to submit a written response regarding ANAC’s intention to declare the selection void. This development potentially clears the way for a victory for Menzies/Spdh, which had already initiated court proceedings to contest the initial win by Clece/South.
Menzies has reacted to the regulator’s announcement, stating that it “welcomes with satisfaction the preliminary position of ANAC regarding the licensing process for ground handling at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, and Faro.”
The company added that it “takes note of the regulator’s position” and intends to “continue to collaborate constructively with the process, maintaining full confidence in the Portuguese regulatory institutions.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ANAC considering revoking the Spanish consortium’s victory?
The regulator concluded that the documents submitted by the consortium suffered from cumulative formal and material vices, meaning they did not meet the requirements established in the tender specifications.
Which airports are involved in this licensing process?
The licenses for ground handling assistance are for the airports located in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro.
What is the next step in the process?
The consortium has ten business days to provide a written response to ANAC regarding the intention to declare the selection void.
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