Menzies Agunsa Aviation has expanded its operations in Chile after signing a five-year contract with ultra-low-cost airline JetSMART to deliver ground handling services at all 16 airports across its network in the country.

The first contract between Menzies and JetSmart, the agreement comes in partnership with Menzies’ joint venture partner Agencies Universales and continues the company's expansion of its South American operations following its purchase of Agunsa Aviation Services in 2022.

Menzies Aviation CEO Philipp Joeinig said: “We are delighted to welcome JetSmart to our portfolio of Latin American customers and another major airline of the Indigo Partners Group. This latest win represents a significant milestone for Menzies and an important step in our strategic expansion in this vibrant region.”

As part of the contract, Menzies will deliver ground services at Chile’s busiest international airport, Arturo Merino Benitez International and is expected to handle more than 28,000 turns in the first year. 

JetSmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz said: “The experience and trajectory of Menzies in ground handling and passenger services, coupled with its technical prestige in different global markets and the support of a local operator like Agunsa, enable us to generate significant operational cost efficiencies, to continue offering our passengers a safe, reliable and affordable service, to support our ULCC model and ambitious growth plans.”

The JetSmart deal is one of a number of service expansions celebrated by Menzies this year, joining agreements with Air Serbia, Sofia International Airport in Bulgaria and Bangalore International Airport in India.

It also became the latest airline from the Indigo Group to sign a contract with Menzies, following Frontier Airlines, Lynx Air, Volaris and Wizz Air.