Havaş

What Havaş does

Havaş (HAVAALANLARI YER HİZMETLERİ A.Ş.) is Turkey's oldest ground handling services company, founded in 1933 and currently operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TAV Airports Holding (ultimately owned by Groupe ADP). The company provides three core service lines at airports: ground handling (passenger services, ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, de-icing, load control, and flight operations supervision), airport shuttle bus services connecting airports to city centers and cross-border destinations, and cargo & warehouse services (import/export handling, bonded transportation, cold-chain storage across 20,457 sqm of facilities at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya airports). It serves more than 200 airline customers across 36 airports in 6 countries, handling 560,000+ flights, 160 million+ passengers, 100 million+ baggage pieces, and 1 million+ tons of cargo annually. Major customers include Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways Cargo, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, airBaltic, and Ukraine Airlines, with several multi-decade anchor relationships.

Havaş generates revenue through enterprise service agreements negotiated with airlines (recurring subscription-style contracts) and transactional fees for cargo, bus, and ancillary services. Long-term airline contracts form the commercial backbone, while bus services and warehouse/cargo operations add transaction-based volume. Distribution is entirely direct: services are delivered on-site at airports by dedicated station teams, with no third-party reseller channel. International expansion is executed via wholly-owned subsidiaries (Havaş Latvia, Havaş Saudi Arabia, Havaş Croatia) and M&A, including the 2025 acquisition of MZLZ at Zagreb Airport. Underlying technology includes proprietary in-house platforms — APPRON (a sector-first internal mobile app for 4,000+ employees), the Paperless Operation digital dispatch system, and the OARS online vehicle appointment system — alongside integrations with IATA's Timatic Mobile (world-first implementation) and DG AutoCheck (first in Turkey), WorldTracer for baggage tracking, and an SAP S/4HANA enterprise platform via the RISE with SAP and Sovos partnership.

The company's commercial position is supported by ISAGO and EU GDP certifications, a Turquality brand designation (Turkey's government-backed global brand program), and a board structurally integrated with its TAV/Groupe ADP parent. Recent strategic activity includes €21M+ in Istanbul Airport facility investment, the Zagreb acquisition, a leadership transition at CEO level effective January 2026, and a cloud-based AI-supported contact-center transformation that won a 2025 CX Award. The company employs 4,000+ staff and has no external funding rounds disclosed; capital deployment is internally financed and supported through the TAV/Groupe ADP group structure.

Name

Havaş

Legal name

HAVAALANLARI YER HİZMETLERİ A.Ş.

Website

https://havas.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Havaş is Turkey's oldest ground handling company (founded 1933), a TAV Airports/Groupe ADP subsidiary providing ground handling, bus, and cargo services to 200+ airlines across 36 airports in 6 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Ground Handling Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Handling (Ramp, Baggage, Turnaround) (THABAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Baggage Services (Porters, Wrapping, Storage, Lost & Found) (THABALAG)

Keywords

• Airport ground handling
• Cargo warehouse services
• Airline ground operations
• Airport shuttle transportation
• Aircraft handling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sariyer

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ground Handling Services: Comprehensive ground handling services including passenger services, ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, load control, de-icing, cargo handling, flight operations, and supervision services provided to airline companies at airports. Revenue generated through service fees negotiated in long-term agreements with airlines.
2. Bus Services: Airport shuttle bus services connecting airports with city centers. Operates routes between airports (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Trabzon, Bodrum, Dalaman, etc.) and urban destinations including Hatay, Mardin, and cross-border routes to Batum Airport.
3. Cargo & Warehouse Services: Import and export cargo handling, temporary storage, bonded cargo transportation, and cold chain services. Handles general cargo, valuable cargo, dangerous goods, perishable goods, and live animals. Cold storage facilities at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya airports covering 20,457 sqm total.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Havaş provides comprehensive airport ground handling services — including passenger handling, ramp operations, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, load control, de-icing, and flight operations — to over 200 commercial, cargo, and charter airlines at 36 airports across Turkey and three international markets. The company also operates airport shuttle bus services connecting airports to city centers and offers cargo handling, temporary storage, and bonded cargo transportation services, supported by proprietary digital platforms such as APPRON, Havaş Mobile, OARS, and integrated IATA tools.

Product overview

Havaş is a comprehensive airport ground handling services provider offering three core service lines: Ground Handling Services (passenger, ramp, aircraft cleaning, flight operations), Bus Services (airport shuttle transportation), and Cargo & Warehouse Services (cargo handling, storage, bonded transport). The company operates at 36 airports across Turkey and internationally. Digital products include Havaş Mobile for customer-facing services (lost baggage, e-tickets, tracking), OARS for vehicle appointment scheduling, and APPRON for internal employee communications and HR processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OARS (Online Vehicle Appointment System): Online Vehicle Appointment System for scheduling shipments of export cargo at Istanbul Temporary Storage Area.

Products and services

• Ground Handling Services (Yer Hizmetleri) Comprehensive airport ground handling services for commercial, cargo, and charter airline companies, including passenger services, ramp operations, aircraft cleaning, load control and communication, de-icing, flight operations, transportation, representation, and supervision at Havaş-served stations.
• Bus Services (Otobüs Hizmetleri) Scheduled airport shuttle bus services connecting city centers to Turkish airports and cross-border destinations, operated by Havaş as a licensed bus operator.
• Cargo & Warehouse Services (Kargo & Antrepo Hizmetleri) Cargo handling and warehousing at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya airports covering import/export cargo, temporary storage, bonded transportation between warehouses, cold chain (reefer trucks), EU GDP compliant pharmaceutical storage, and special cargo handling for valuable, perishable, dangerous goods, and live animals.
• Havaş Mobile Customer-facing mobile application for iOS and Android enabling lost baggage reporting via WorldTracer, e-ticket booking/purchase, consignment tracking, storage fee inquiry, and flight information access for air travelers and shippers using Havaş services.
• OARS (Online Araç Randevu Sistemi / Online Vehicle Appointment System) Online vehicle appointment system for export cargo shippers using Istanbul Temporary Storage Area, enabling online booking, updating, and management of cargo shipment appointments to eliminate on-site waiting.

Quantifiable outcome

• airBaltic achieved 89.17% punctuality rating (OAG survey)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FBO RIGA (Flight Consulting Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Extended partnership for ground handling and de-icing operations of business jets at Riga Airport until 2024. Partnership extends to 40+ airports in 23 countries across Baltics, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and CIS.
• MZLZ Ground Handling Services (Zagreb)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Acquisition completed - MZLZ operates at Zagreb Airport. Zagreb becomes 31st airport in Havaş portfolio. Havaş assumed passenger, ramp, representation, supervision, flight operations, load control, cargo and mail services.
• Ukraine AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Full ground handling services since 2004 for Istanbul and Ankara scheduled flights plus charter flights to Antalya, Dalaman, and Bodrum. Agreement renewed until 2021. In 2017, handled 2,836 flights.
• Qatar Airways CargocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Long-term ground handling partnership for cargo and warehouse services at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya airports. Havaş provides bonded cargo transportation with award-winning reefer trucks. Agreement renewed until 2025 for five additional years. Also includes cargo services at Adana Airport.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019First company globally to implement Timatic Mobile for passenger document verification. First in Turkey to use DG AutoCheck for dangerous goods acceptance. Both IATA-developed digital solutions improving compliance and operational efficiency.
• airBalticcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Full ground handling services at Riga Airport since 2010. airBaltic achieved 89.17% punctuality rating (OAG). In 2018, Havaş handled 1.5 million baggage, 28,000 turnarounds, 4+ million passengers, 8,000 tons cargo at Riga. Long-term strategic partnership.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Worldwide Flight Services (WFS): Global air cargo and ground handling operator with stations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, acquired by SATS. Directly comparable to Havaş in cargo handling, warehousing, and bonded cargo services for international freight carriers.
• Menzies Aviation: Global ground handling and cargo services provider operating at 200+ airports across multiple continents with passenger, ramp, fueling, and cargo handling. Directly comparable to Havaş in service offering, customer profile (flag and low-cost carriers), and international station network.
• Aviapartner: European-focused ground handling services provider operating at 40+ airports primarily across Western and Central Europe. Comparable to Havaş in passenger handling, ramp operations, and cargo services, though geographically focused on EU markets.
• Celebi Ground Handling: Turkish-headquartered ground handling competitor operating at major Turkish airports including Istanbul Atatürk, offering passenger, ramp, cargo, and warehouse services. Most direct competitor to Havaş in the domestic Turkish market, frequently competing for the same airline contracts at shared stations.
• dnata: Emirates Group subsidiary providing airport ground handling, cargo, and travel services across 130+ airports worldwide. Closest large-scale direct competitor in cargo handling, dangerous goods acceptance, and integrated airport services for full-service and cargo airlines.
• Swissport International: World's largest independent ground and air cargo handling company, operating at 270+ airports globally with similar service lines (passenger, ramp, cargo, warehouse). Direct global comparable for Havaş in scale, service mix, and customer base across both airline and cargo segments.
• TGS (Turkish Ground Services): Joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Havaş's parent-affiliated TAV Airports, providing ground handling services at Istanbul Airport and other major Turkish stations. Direct peer competing head-to-head with Havaş at shared Turkish airports on passenger, ramp, and cargo operations.
• Çelebi Aviation Holding: Turkish conglomerate providing ground handling, cargo, and aviation services across India, Hungary, and other geographies, alongside domestic operations. Comparable as both a Turkish-headquartered competitor and an international ground handling consolidator competing for the same airline customers.

Others

• TAV IT Services (Bilişim): Technology arm of Havaş's parent TAV Airports Holding, providing IT systems, software development, and digital transformation services to airports and ground handlers. Sister company within the TAV ecosystem and adjacent enabler of Havaş's digital platform investments (APPRON, Paperless Operation).

Broad incumbents

• SATS Ltd: Singapore-based gateway services and food solutions group with significant ground handling and cargo operations across Asia-Pacific, now also owning WFS. Comparable in the cargo handling, cold chain, and airport services dimensions, with broader in-flight catering exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HavasGH
• Facebookfacebook.com/HavasGH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/havasgh
• Instagraminstagram.com/havasgh/?hl=tr

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Havaş