ICAS P.L.C

What ICAS P.L.C does

ICAS P.L.C (International Cargo and Aviation Services) is an Ethiopian private limited company founded in 2005 that operates as the first alternative ground handling service PLC at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The company delivers an integrated suite of aviation services including passenger handling, ramp handling, cargo handling (dry, perishable, and pharmaceutical), customs clearing, bonded warehouse administration, and self-insured door-to-door cargo delivery. It currently serves six scheduled international carriers — Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Djibouti, and Badr Airlines, with Flynas listed as a partner — plus multiple ad-hoc operators. The company holds IATA Ground Handling Company (GHC) certification since 2015 (the first in Ethiopia), ICHP/IATA certification since 2018, RA3/ACC3(SV) EU cargo security certification, and airline-specific CWO/PO (Qatar Airways) and CSM (Etihad Airways) certifications.

The company's operational infrastructure includes specialized ground support equipment (scissor lifts from 3.5 to 14 tons, fixed and mobile dollies, certified X-ray machines, forklifts, and pallet transporters), a fleet of medium-capacity trucks including temperature-controlled units for perishables, self-propelled lift crane trucks, and bonded warehouse facilities. A key technical component is the Customs Owned Automation Direct Trader Input (DTI) system, which enables direct network-based interaction with Ethiopian Customs Authority and eliminates queuing for cargo processing. The company operates under a year-long clearing contract with Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority and has accumulated membership in FIATA and EFFSAA since 2018.

ICAS generates revenue through transaction-fee based services spanning ground handling, customs clearing and de-consolidation, door-to-door delivery, and bonded warehouse management. Distribution is anchored at Terminal 2 of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with 24/7 ad-hoc operations support, and go-to-market relies on direct enterprise sales relationships with airlines, government contracts, and industry visibility through exhibition sponsorship (Ethio-Transport and Logistics Exhibition, 2018) and association memberships.

Name

ICAS P.L.C

Legal name

International Cargo and Aviation Services P.L.C

Website

https://icasethiopia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ICAS P.L.C is an Ethiopian private ground handling company founded in 2005, operating at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to provide passenger, ramp, and cargo handling plus customs clearing and bonded warehouse services to international airlines and freight customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Ground Handling Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Ground handling services
• Cargo handling
• Customs clearing
• Bonded warehousing
• Ramp handling

Headquarters

HQ city

Addis Ababa

HQ country

Ethiopia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ground Handling Services: Core revenue from providing passenger handling, ramp handling, and cargo handling services to airlines at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Services include loading/unloading, baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, pushback/towing, and passenger services.
2. Customs Clearing Services: Customs documentation processing and clearance services for imports and exports, including air freight and sea freight. ICAS has a year-long contract with Ethiopian Customs Authority to perform clearing activities. Also includes de-consolidation of consolidated shipments.
3. Door-to-Door Delivery Service: Self-insured cargo delivery service from airport to final destination, utilizing owned medium-capacity trucks with protective covers and temperature-controlled options.
4. Bonded Warehouse Administration: Terminal and bonded warehouse services including temporary storage of personal property, warehouse management for courier services, and VAL/VUL storage services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ICAS provides ground handling services at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for international airlines, including passenger handling (check-in, boarding, baggage, VIP/CIP), ramp handling (loading/unloading, pushback, towing, cleaning), cargo handling (dry and perishable storage, cold rooms, VAL/VUL storage), customs clearing with Direct Trader Input (DTI) automation, and self-insured door-to-door delivery using owned medium-capacity and temperature-controlled trucks. Operations are supported by an on-site bonded warehouse and certified ground support equipment fleet.

Product overview

ICAS P.L.C is a ground handling company operating in Ethiopia that provides a unified suite of integrated aviation services. The core offerings include Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling (covering both dry cargo and perishable goods), and Customs Clearing with Door-to-Door Delivery Service. These services are supported by bonded warehouse facilities and additional ancillary services such as de-consolidation, meet-and-assist, permits processing, and travel arrangements. The company operates from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, serving multiple airline partners with full ground handling capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Passenger Handling Comprehensive passenger processing services at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Terminal 2, including electronic and manual check-in, transfer desk operations, baggage storage, VIP/CIP escorting, wheelchair services, and passenger transportation via buses, VIP limousines, and passenger steps. Targeted at international airline passengers handled by ICAS's airline partners.
• Ramp Handling Aircraft ground operations including cargo and mail loading/unloading, baggage handling (including VIP/CIP), aircraft pushback and towing, cabin cleaning, lavatory drainage, water cartage, engine start, GPU/APU services, and heavy aircraft support (A380/B747F). Targeted at international airline carriers operating into Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
• Cargo Handling Full-service cargo operations including loading/unloading, dry and perishable storage in standard warehouses and cold rooms, cargo notification services, customs inspection support, VAL/VUL storage, and equipment such as scissor lifts (3.5 to 14 Tons), forklifts, certified X-Ray machines, dollies, and pallet transporters. Targeted at cargo airlines and freight forwarders shipping through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
• Customs Clearing and Door-to-Door Delivery Service Integrated customs clearance and logistics service covering bonded warehouse administration, customs clearing, air and sea freight de-consolidation, door-to-door cargo delivery using self-insured medium-capacity trucks (including temperature-controlled options for perishables and pharmaceuticals), and courier services. Uses Customs Direct Trader Input (DTI) system for direct interaction with Customs Authority. Targeted at importers, exporters, and freight forwarders needing customs clearance into Ethiopia.
• Other Services (Terminal, Bonded Warehouse, De-consolidation, Meet & Assist) Ancillary services including terminal and bonded warehouse operations, temporary personal property storage, courier warehouse management, customs processing, tax settlement, meet and assist, overflight and landing permit processing, immigration arrangements, hotel and travel bookings through an IATA-approved agency, and crew transport facilitation. Targeted at airlines, passengers, and cargo customers requiring supplementary support services at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Quantifiable outcome

• Never blacklisted by Ethiopian Customs Authority throughout operational history
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2018Global industry association membership demonstrating international compliance and standards. ICAS became a member in May 2018.
• Badr AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2018BADR Airlines signed bi-lateral service agreement with Ethiopian Civil Aviation to operate both cargo and passenger flights daily. Currently operating two passenger flights per week on Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Qatar AirwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScheduled airline handled by ICAS for both passenger and cargo ground handling services at Addis Ababa. ICAS holds CWO/PO certification from Qatar Airways.
• Saudi Arabian AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScheduled airline handled by ICAS for both passenger and cargo ground handling services at Addis Ababa.
• Etihad AirwayscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScheduled airline handled by ICAS for both passenger and cargo ground handling services. ICAS holds CSM certification from Etihad Airways.
• Air DjibouticoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScheduled airline handled by ICAS for both passenger and cargo ground handling services at Addis Ababa.
• Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing networking and industry standards alignment.
• Ethiopian Revenue and Customs AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body with whom ICAS has a year-long contract to perform clearing activities. ICAS operates the Customs Owned Automation Direct Trader Input (DTI) system for direct interaction with customs.
• Sheraton AddisminorOthersCustoms clearance partner for processing import documentation.
• Elfora Agro IndustriesminorOthersCustoms clearance partner for processing import documentation for agricultural products.
• Midroc Gold MinesminorOthersCustoms clearance partner for processing import documentation for mining operations.
• IATA Approved Travel AgencyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIATA-approved travel agency partner for arranging hotel accommodation and travel arrangements for crew and passengers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Swissport International: World's largest independent airport ground services and cargo handling company. Directly competes in the same third-party ground handling category as ICAS, serving scheduled airlines across multiple continents.
• Menzies Aviation: Global independent ground handling and cargo services provider operating at hundreds of airports. Directly comparable to ICAS as a third-party ground handler serving scheduled international carriers, with broader scale and footprint.
• Celebi Ground Handling: Independent ground handler operating in multiple countries (including Africa and South Asia). Comparable third-party ground handling business model serving scheduled international airlines at single airports.
• Worldwide Flight Services (WFS): Global air cargo handling and ground services provider, now part of SATS. Comparable to ICAS in offering integrated passenger, ramp, and cargo handling at international airports.
• National Aviation Services (NAS): Airport services provider active across the Middle East and Africa. Similar integrated ground handling and cargo model with strong presence at emerging-market international airports comparable to Bole.
• dnata: Emirates Group-owned ground handling and cargo company with global airport operations. Closely mirrors ICAS's integrated passenger, ramp, and cargo handling model, though at vastly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• TAV Airports: Airport operator providing ground handling and other aviation services globally. Overlaps with ICAS in ground handling scope but operates as part of a wider airport management portfolio rather than a handling specialist.
• SATS Ltd: Asia-based gateway services and food solutions company with significant ground handling operations. Overlaps with ICAS's handling services but as part of a much broader aviation services portfolio.
• Ethiopian Airlines Ground Handling Services: In-house ground handling arm of Ethiopian Airlines, the dominant incumbent at Addis Ababa Bole. Overlaps directly with ICAS services for the flag carrier and remains the primary alternative ICAS competes against at the same airport.

Peers

• Bidvest Tete (Bidvest Steiner):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icas-p-l-c

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ICAS P.L.C