Noerr advises CHI Aviation Handling on the acquisition of a majority stake in Cargogate Munich Airport GmbH

A Noerr team led by Jan-Philipp Meier and Andreas Butz has advised CHI Aviation Handling GmbH – a part of the CHI Cargo Group – on acquiring a 74.9% stake in Cargogate Munich Airport GmbH. The seller is the operator of Munich Airport, Flughafen München GmbH (FMG).

Flughafen München GmbH will retain the remaining 25.1% of the shares in Cargogate, forging a forward-looking strategic partnership with CHI Aviation Handling that will leverage CHI’s extensive freight expertise and broad customer network. Founded in 1974, Cargogate operates as a regulated agent, managing all warehouse-related tasks over an area of approximately 17,000 square metres. These tasks include cargo acceptance, sorting, assembly, handover and handling of customs and dangerous goods formalities.

The CHI Group currently provides freight forwarding, airline handling and related services at major airports such as the airports at Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Hamburg and Amsterdam for renowned international companies. Through this transaction, the group is expanding its portfolio to include airline handling at Munich Airport.

The joint venture will continue to operate under its current name for the foreseeable future. Both parties aim to sustainably develop freight operations at Munich Airport and significantly enhance the freight business and volume. The jobs of approximately 150 employees have been contractually secured.

The acquisition of shares, scheduled for January 2025, is contingent upon regulatory approvals.

The Noerr team provided extensive legal advice on all aspects of the transaction, especially on corporate, employment and antitrust law.

Advisors to CHI Aviation Handling GmbH: Noerr

Lead: Jan-Philipp Meier (partner, M&A, Hamburg), Andreas Butz (partner, Employment & Pensions, Düsseldorf)

Corporate/M&A: Marco Siemers (senior associate), Bastian Stromann (associate), Kevin Stumme (associate, all Hamburg)

Employment & Pensions: Cornelia Kaueroff, Mareike Götte (associated partner), Christin Lindenberg (associate, Hamburg)

Antitrust & Competition: Till Steinvorth (partner), Jan-Hendrik Fitzl (senior associate, both Hamburg)

Real Estate: Henrik Dornscheidt (associated partner, Düsseldorf)