South Europe Ground Services (SOEGS) is the name chosen for the new company (already registered in the Madrid Commercial Register) which will provide ground handling services for Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling and Level at all Spanish airports and passenger handling services for British Airways, Air Nostrum and Aer Lingus. In addition, it will be able to serve third-party companies at the airports where Iberia Airport Services has been awarded a license in the latest Aena tender.
This company, with 100 percent IAG capital and a majority of Iberia shareholding, is the result of the agreement reached between Iberia and its trade unions on Feb. 2 with the aim of guaranteeing a sustainable and competitive future for the handling business and its workers. This new company will have operational autonomy and integrate the employees of Iberia's current Airport Direction, who will maintain the conditions of the Iberia Agreement and will retain all their rights.
Miguel Ángel Gimeno, currently director of ground operations at Vueling, will be the new CEO of South Europe Ground Services (SOEGS).
Gimeno has extensive experience in airport management. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from IESE Business School. He has spent most of his career, over the last 17 years, at Vueling where, in addition to being Director of Ground Operations, he has held the positions of Director of OCC and also Director of Crew and In-flight Service.
Gimeno says, "taking on the leadership of this new company, within the IAG group, is a real challenge. I am convinced that, thanks to our team made up of the best professionals, we will write a page of success in the handling business in Spain, and we will work tirelessly to grow internationally."
