DLA Piper has advised Menzies Aviation, a division of John Menzies plc, on the proposed acquisition of ASIG from BBA Aviation plc for USD 202 million.

Menzies Aviation is a logistics and support specialist providing services to the international airline sector owned by Scottish business, John Menzies. The company operates in 149 airports and 32 countries around the world where it provides services including, ground handling, cargo handling and cargo forwarding.

ASIG is one of the largest independent providers of commercial airline services in the world. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, it operates across 88 locations in seven countries and is one of the market leaders for into-plane fuelling and fuel farm management services in North America and the UK, where it also has ground handling operations in high-traffic airports as well as in small and medium sized airports.

The transaction is part of the John Menzies growth strategy for the Menzies Aviation division and will substantially enhance its network. The proposed acquisition will create one of the largest aviation services businesses in the world, doubling the size of Menzies Aviation's existing U.S. operations, whilst strengthening its service offering at major international gateways such as London Heathrow, San Francisco, Denver and Los Angeles.

The global DLA Piper team advised on the acquisition, as well as the £75 million equity rights issue to part-fund the transaction.

Charles Severs, DLA Piper Corporate partner, who led on the transaction said: "This was a complex transaction, one which required us to play to our strength as a truly global law firm, in order to achieve the desired result for the client. The acquisition signals an exciting new chapter for Menzies Aviation and we look forward to following the company's success."

The DLA Piper team was led in the UK by Corporate partners, Charles Severs, Ben Forgiel-Jenkins, and Martin Penn and was assisted by senior associate Karin Kirschner and associates Dylan Kennett, Sam Wilson, Harriet Naylor, Inge Schneider (rights issue).

International legal counsel was provided by the following:

United States: Partners Andrew Gilbert (Corporate, Short Hill),  Nickie Cheney (Corporate, New York) and associates Kirsten O'Donnell (Corporate Short Hill) and Hariqbal Basi (Corporate, New York).

Canada: Partners Derek Sigel (Finance), Catherine Pawluch (Corporate) and Lana Finney (Lit & Reg).