The Government announced Tuesday, through a decree, the beginning of the intercargo privatization process, the company in charge of Ramp service and equipment transfer at airports. The company was the center of controversies at the end of last year due to unexpected strike in Aeroparque and Ezeiza, which caused The cancellation of flights.
This conflict generated a strong confrontation with the national government, that in November 2024 He decided to deregulate Intercargo functions. At that time, the presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, declared a press conference that it was “the end of intercargo as we know him.” In addition, he said that “no union terrorist can take a passenger hostage, ruin his trip or refuse to do his job”, in reference to the situation in which more than 2,000 people were trapped inside a plane due to the measure of force.
Until then, iNtercargo had exclusive control of the ramp and passenger transport service in the main airports of the country. However, with the decision of the Executive in November, the entry of private companies was allowed to operate in the sector.
The decree establishes that the company signed contracts with airport dealers for the use of spaces intended for the provision of the ramp service. This contracting modality has spread to the 21 airports in which this activity is currently developed.
The justification of the Government for the privatization of Intercargo
The government also highlighted the cost of the company for the State: “Despite the participation of Intercargo Sau in the market, Between 2020 and 2023 required financial assistance from the National State for an approximate amount of $ 6,700,000,000, aimed at covering their operational needs and guaranteeing compliance with the required quality and safety standards. “
Within the framework of the Policy of reduction of state size and fiscal deficit, in order to balance public accounts, and in line with the provisions of article 2 of the Bases and starting points for the freedom of Argentines No. 27,742, the National State stopped providing financial assistance to Intercargo Sau since the beginning of 2024.
In addition, the process of deregulation, opening of the market and modernization of the sector requires significant investments that Intercargo Sau, In the current context of economic emergency declared, It is not in a position to face with its own resources or without the financial support of the State.
A tender is opened for the privatization process
With the publication of Decree 198/2025 in the Official Gazette, The Government authorized the total privatization process of Intercargo SAU this implies the sale of 100 % of the company’s shares, starting a public and international public tender to transfer its ownership.
The document establishes that the Ministry of Economy will be responsible for carrying out the privatization process, with the participation of the Temporary Special Executing Unit “Public Business Transformation Agency”. This entity will take the necessary measures to specify the sale of the actions of Intercargo SAU through an international public tender. Likewise, the current concession contract between the State and the company will be terminated by mutual agreement before the transfer of the shares is completed.
The objective of the privatization process is to guarantee the continuity of the ramp service, avoiding interruptions and ensuring connectivity both nationally and internationally. In this sense, The third article of the norm provides that the Ministry of Economy, under the conduct of Luis Caputo, “It must take the necessary measures to ensure that the established privatization scheme does not affect the provision of the airport or ramp service, guaranteeing air connectivity in the country and abroad.”
Source: Ambito
