Swissport enters Indonesia cargo market through UNEX Aviation Services JV

By Rebecca Jeffrey | 28 September 2026

Swissport and UNEX Aviation Services sign binding transaction agreements to form a JV

Image: © Swissport

Swissport has entered the Indonesian air cargo market by establishing a joint venture (JV) with Jakarta-based UNEX Aviation Services.

Under the agreement, Swissport will also acquire a stake in UNEX Aviation Services, strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, a key growth market for the aviation industry.

The JV and stake in UNEX, which Swissport did not elaborate on, is the latest development in Swissport’s growth pathway.

Just last week, Swissport announced it would enter the Colombian market through the acquisition of Giraldo Hermanos International.

Founded in 2003, UNEX Aviation Services provides air cargo warehousing and related services to international and domestic airlines at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The company holds nationwide ground handling licences.

Through the partnership, Swissport and UNEX Aviation Services plan to expand beyond cargo into a broader portfolio of aviation services, including ramp handling and passenger services, while extending operations to additional airports across Indonesia.

Warwick Brady, president and chief executive of Swissport International, said: “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 chief executive of UNEX Aviation Services, commented: “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 is one of Southeast Asia’s largest aviation markets. With more than 17,000 islands, air transport plays a critical role in national connectivity and economic development. In 2024, it recorded around 101m domestic and international passengers, while airfreight volumes reached approximately 1m tonnes, pointed out Swissport.

The wider Asian aviation market is likewise experiencing strong momentum. International traffic within Asia increased by 11.9% in 2025, with Indonesia among the major source markets contributing to this growth.

Asia-Pacific airlines also recorded 8.4% year on year growth in air cargo demand in 2025, the strongest growth of any global region.

The JV, which the companies have already signed binding transaction agreements for, builds on Swissport’s growing presence across Asia-Pacific. The company currently operates at airports in China, Japan and South Korea, as well as Australia and New Zealand, providing ground handling and air cargo services to airlines across the region.

In 2025, Swissport’s regional operations handled approximately 25m passengers, 632,000 flights and 450,000 tonnes of cargo, supported by an expert team of 10,000 employees.