Avianca Holdings - the parent company of Avianca (Bogotá) - has announced that it is in talks to buy Colombian ground-handling unit Servicios Aeroportuarios Integrados (SAI – Integrated Airport Services). In an investor filing, Avianca says that it will acquire enough of SAI's newly-issued shares to take control of the company.

The deal is still being negotiated, and is under review by the country's Industry and Commerce Superintendency.

SAI manages ground-handling operations at airports throughout Colombia, including Bogotá, Cali, Medellín José Maria Córdova, Armenia and Cartagena Rafael Núñez International. Amongst its customers are Avianca, VivaColombia, avianca cargo, Spirit Airlines, ADA - Aerolínea de Antioquia, Avior Airlines, and consumer goods conglomerate Organizacion Ardila Lulle.