GAT Airline Ground Support
GAT Airline Ground Support is a US-based outsourced aviation services provider delivering ground handling, cargo handling, and airline catering (Sky Café) to commercial airline operators across approximately 70 airports in the United States and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMobile, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GAT Airline Ground Support does
GAT Airline Ground Support, Inc. is a US-based outsourced aviation services company that provides ground handling, cargo handling, and airline catering (operated under the Sky Café brand) to commercial airline customers. The company operated at approximately 70 airports across the United States and Canada with roughly 6,000 employees prior to its February 2026 acquisition by PrimeFlight Aviation Services. Its core service lines are ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft turnaround, freight loading/processing, and in-flight catering — delivered as B2B contracts with airline operators, with pricing not publicly disclosed and revenue generated on a transaction/service-fee basis tied to flight operations and cargo volume.
GAT was a privately held company owned by private equity firm Atlantic Street Capital from 2017 until its sale to PrimeFlight in February 2026. During Atlantic Street Capital's eight-year hold, GAT expanded into Canada and added catering as a third service pillar through a strategic acquisition. The company was headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia and was legally domiciled in Georgia as a corporation. Post-acquisition, GAT's footprint, employees, and Sky Café brand were absorbed into PrimeFlight Aviation Services, which now operates at more than 250 airports and service locations across six continents, offering fueling, ground handling, cargo handling, GSE maintenance, passenger services, and security services in addition to the inherited GAT capabilities.
The business model is service- and labor-intensive rather than technology-driven: revenue is tied to the volume of aircraft turns, baggage and cargo movements, and meals produced, with no disclosed proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capability, software product, or digital channel. Customer concentration is in the commercial airline vertical, with specific airline customers not publicly named in available sources. The company's competitive position rests on its airport footprint, multi-service bundling, and the operational switching costs inherent in airline ground handling relationships rather than on technology or data assets.
GAT Airline Ground Support firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GAT Airline Ground Support
- Legal name
- GAT Airline Ground Support, Inc.
- Website
- https://wearegat.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- GAT Airline Ground Support is a US-based outsourced aviation services provider delivering ground handling, cargo handling, and airline catering (Sky Café) to commercial airline operators across approximately 70 airports in the United States and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GAT Airline Ground Support industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Ground Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (48819)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ground Handling (Ramp, Baggage, Turnaround) (THABAIAC)
Keywords
Where GAT Airline Ground Support is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mobile
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GAT Airline Ground Support business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Ground Handling Services: Provides ground handling services to airlines at airports including ramp operations, baggage handling, and aircraft turnaround services
- Cargo Handling Services: Cargo handling services for airlines including loading/unloading and cargo processing
- Catering Services (Sky Café): Airline catering services operating under the Sky Café brand
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
GAT Airline Ground Support product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GAT Airline Ground Support provides outsourced aviation ground services to commercial airlines at airports across the United States and Canada. Its core offering spans three integrated service lines: ground handling (ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft turnaround), cargo handling (loading, unloading, freight processing), and in-flight catering delivered under the Sky Café sub-brand. The company operates at nearly 70 airports with approximately 6,000 employees.
Product overview
GAT Airline Ground Support is a provider of ground handling, cargo handling, and catering services to airlines. The company operates a single unified service model consisting of three core service lines: ground handling services (ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft turnaround), cargo handling services (freight processing), and catering services branded as Sky Café. GAT previously operated as a private equity-owned independent company headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, with approximately 6,000 employees serving nearly 70 airports across the United States and Canada. The company was acquired by PrimeFlight Aviation Services in February 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sky Café: Catering services brand operated by GAT Airline Ground Support
Products and services
- Ground Handling Services
Companies that use GAT Airline Ground Support
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
GAT Airline Ground Support technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
GAT Airline Ground Support partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- PrimeFlight Aviation ServicescorePrimeFlight Aviation Services acquired GAT Airline Ground Support in February 2026. The acquisition significantly expanded PrimeFlight's footprint, adding GAT's nearly 70 airports and 6,000 employees. Post-acquisition, PrimeFlight operates at more than 250 airports and service locations across six continents and now offers catering services through the Sky Café brand.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GAT Airline Ground Support competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- dnata: Emirates Group-owned ground handling and in-flight catering provider operating at airports worldwide. Directly comparable to GAT across ground handling and the Sky Café catering business.
- Swissport International: World's largest provider of airport ground services and cargo handling, operating at hundreds of airports globally. Directly comparable to GAT's ground handling and cargo service lines, often competing in the same airline RFPs.
- Celebi Aviation Holding: Turkish-based ground handling and cargo services company operating at numerous airports globally. Comparable offering to GAT's ramp, baggage, and cargo handling service lines, particularly for carriers with international route networks.
- Worldwide Flight Services (WFS): Global air cargo and ground handling services provider with operations across multiple continents. Directly competes with GAT in cargo handling and aircraft turnaround services for airline customers.
- Menzies Aviation: Major global ground handling and air cargo services provider operating at more than 200 airports. Competes head-to-head with GAT for airline ground handling and cargo contracts across North America and other regions.
- PrimeFlight Aviation Services: Parent company of GAT following the February 2026 acquisition. Operates fueling, ground handling, cargo, GSE maintenance, passenger, and security services at 250+ airports globally; GAT's ground handling, cargo, and Sky Café services now sit within this combined platform.
- LSG Sky Chefs: Lufthansa-owned airline catering and hospitality services provider with global operations. Directly comparable to GAT's Sky Café catering division and competes for in-flight catering contracts at shared airline customers.
- Gate Gourmet: Global airline catering and in-flight services provider serving major carriers worldwide. Most directly comparable to GAT's Sky Café catering business and competes for the same catering contracts at shared airline customers.
Broad incumbents
- SATS Ltd: Singapore-based provider of airport services, ground handling, and in-flight catering with operations across Asia and other regions. Comparable to GAT across ground handling and catering service lines, though primarily Asia-focused.
Emerging players
- AGS (Aviation Ground Services): Ground handling provider focused on specific markets including parts of Africa and the Middle East. Smaller and more regional than GAT but competes for similar airline ground handling contracts in shared markets.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
GAT Airline Ground Support social profiles
Digital presenceGAT Airline Ground Support financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GAT Airline Ground Support leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
GAT Airline Ground Support funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GAT Airline Ground Support M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GAT Airline Ground Support
What does GAT Airline Ground Support do?
GAT Airline Ground Support provides outsourced aviation ground services to commercial airlines at airports across the United States and Canada. Its core offering spans three integrated service lines: ground handling (ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft turnaround), cargo handling (loading, unloading, freight processing), and in-flight catering delivered under the Sky Café sub-brand. The company operates at nearly 70 airports with approximately 6,000 employees.
Is GAT Airline Ground Support a public or private company?
GAT Airline Ground Support is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was GAT Airline Ground Support founded?
GAT Airline Ground Support was founded in 2017. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is GAT Airline Ground Support based?
GAT Airline Ground Support is headquartered in Mobile, United States, in the North America region.
How does GAT Airline Ground Support make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ground Handling Services are the primary driver. The others are cargo Handling Services and catering Services (Sky Café).
Who are GAT Airline Ground Support's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are dnata, Swissport International, Celebi Aviation Holding, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), Menzies Aviation, PrimeFlight Aviation Services, LSG Sky Chefs and Gate Gourmet. SATS Ltd is listed as a broad incumbent. AGS (Aviation Ground Services) is listed as an emerging player.
Does GAT Airline Ground Support have an API?
No public API is recorded for GAT Airline Ground Support.
What industry is GAT Airline Ground Support in?
GAT Airline Ground Support's product category is Aviation Ground Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAIAC, Ground Handling (Ramp, Baggage, Turnaround). Its NAICS code is 488190 and its SIC code is 4581.