Word out is that its Bidvest looking to take a 25% share.
This is possibly to support Bidair- its ground handling division. The reason for this is that Bidair does not look like its going to get the 3rd ground handling licence form ACSA. Therefore they have to get a stake in an airline so that they can operate under the self handling principle. I know Bidair were also looking to buy CHS - currently owned by Comair- some time ago so perhaps these two issues are linked.
If they did this then they would be allowed to handle Comair/Kulula Nationwide and Express Air services under the self handling principle. Not bad for a company that doesn’t have a ramp handling licence.
As an aside their self handling arrangement does not attract the same charges levied on turn over by ACSA........
If what I suspect is true then it will have very little impact on Nationwide- aside from ol Uncle Vern pocketing a tidy little cheque!