Argentinian state ground handling company Intercargo will be privatised and sold following government concerns about its financing and operations.
The Argentinian government made the decision to deregulate Intercargo’s functions in November last year after a strike at Jorge Newbery (AEP) and Buenos Aires (EZE) that caused major disruption.
The unannounced strike saw Intercargo staff stop loading and unloading aircraft and cease handling ramps and stairs, with resulting delays and cancellation of over 150 flights.
Now, Argentina’s government has announced the beginning of the privatisation process with a decree document that has declared Intercargo is in “a situation of economic emergency”.
Decree 198/2025 was published in the Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic to authorise 100% privatisation of Intercargo on 17 March.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered at EZE, the handler provides cargo and passenger services to airlines for domestic and international flights at 21 airports in Argentina.
The document stated that the move to privatise the company is part of efforts to deregulate the commercial aviation sector.
It added that despite previous efforts to deregulate the market “with the aim of incorporating new ramp service providers and increasing competition, to date, only a small number of commercial airlines are authorized to provide this service themselves and/or to third parties within the national territory”.
The current operation has been costly, explained the document. During 2020-2023, Intercargo required assistance totalling $6.7bn “in order to cover financial needs and operate in compliance with the required quality and safety standards”.
The document said that considering financial and service conditions, “it is necessary to proceed with the full privatisation of Intercargo SAU in order to directly contribute to the modernisation of the transportation and storage of goods and merchandise at the airports that comprise the National Airport System, with the consequent improvement in prices and quality of service, for the benefit of users and passengers, and the consolidation of the commercial aviation sector as a fundamental pillar to drive the economic growth of the Argentine Republic”.