Portugal's aviation authority moves to disqualify Spanish bid for airport contract
Portugal’s Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) may disqualify the Spanish consortium Clece/South from a key airport ground handling tender. The decision follows an assessment revealing serious flaws in the group’s submission. Current service provider Menzies has welcomed the ruling as it moves to finalise its own stake in the business. ANAC’s preliminary review found that Clece/South’s documents contained cumulative formal and substantive flaws. These deficiencies meant the bid failed to meet essential operational requirements for the license. As a result, the authority has signalled its intention to exclude the consortium from the process.
Clece/South now has ten days to challenge the decision. If the group files an injunction, the legal dispute could drag on further. Meanwhile, Menzies—already operating under extended licenses until October 25—has expressed support for ANAC’s position. The company stated it would continue engaging constructively with the ongoing process.
Separately, Menzies is set to complete its acquisition of TAP Air Portugal’s 49.9% stake in the business by the end of June. The move would solidify its role in the market as the tender dispute unfolds. The potential disqualification of Clece/South leaves Menzies as the dominant player in the tender process. With its licenses extended and a stake acquisition nearing completion, the company’s position appears strengthened. The next steps depend on whether Clece/South pursues legal action within the given timeframe.
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