South Europe Ground Services (SOEGS) will provide ground handling services for the carriers at all Spanish airports and passenger handling services for British Airways, Air Nostrum and Aer Lingus. In addition, it will serve third-party companies at the airports where Iberia Airport Services has been awarded a licence in the latest Aena tender.
SOEGS, with 100% IAG capital and a majority of Iberia shareholding, is the result of the agreement reached between Iberia and its trade unions in February with the aim of guaranteeing a competitive future for the handling business and its workers. The new company will have operational autonomy and will integrate the employees of Iberia's current airport operations, who will retain their employment rights in full.
Miguel Ángel Gimeno, currently director of ground operations at Vueling, will be CEO of South Europe Ground Services (SOEGS).
Gimeno has extensive experience in airport management. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from IESE Business School. He has spent most of his career, over the last 17 years, at Vueling where, in addition to being director of ground operations, he has held the positions of director of OCC and also director of crew and in-flight service.
“Taking on the leadership of this new company, within the IAG Group, is a real challenge. I am convinced that, thanks to a team made up of the best professionals, we will write a page of success in the handling business in Spain, and we will work tirelessly to grow internationally,” Gimeno said.
