Brussels Airport has welcomed a major infrastructure milestone with the official opening of a new 10,000-square-metre logistics facility for Nippon Express, one of Japan’s largest logistics providers. The state-of-the-art warehouse—featuring 2,000 square metres of temperature-controlled space—marks a significant upgrade in the company’s European operations and reinforces Brussels Airport’s role as a key pharma logistics hub.
Constructed by Brussels Airport Company using sustainable building practices and materials, the new facility is the first completed development within the airport’s wider Brucargo Central redevelopment project, which will soon span a total area of 34,000 square metres dedicated to cargo operations.
With this expansion, Nippon Express has doubled its operational warehouse capacity, consolidating three previous buildings into one purpose-built logistics centre located at the heart of the airport’s cargo zone.
“This expansion in scale enables us to better meet the growing demands of our customers and allows for further specialisation,” said Michael Kamm, Managing Director of Nippon Express Belgium.
“The consolidation of our facilities strengthens team collaboration and boosts logistics efficiency.”
The facility also includes modern offices and workspaces, supporting end-to-end operational needs. A major highlight of the project is its 2,000 square metres of temperature-controlled space, crucial for handling time-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments—a growing market segment for air cargo.
During the inauguration, Nippon Express officially designated Brussels Airport as its European pharma gateway, highlighting its strategic role in global healthcare logistics.
“As a Japanese logistics provider, we apply the kaizen principle of continuous improvement and the omotenashi philosophy of customer-first service in all our operations,” Kamm added.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, welcomed the development and reaffirmed the airport’s commitment to supporting cargo growth:
“Nippon Express has been a trusted partner at Brussels Airport for over 40 years.
We’re proud they have chosen Brussels Airport as their European pharma gateway. This strengthens both their footprint and our leadership in pharmaceutical logistics.”
The Brucargo Central project is a key part of Brussels Airport’s strategic vision to enhance its position as Europe’s leading air cargo and pharma hub, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and sustainable development in the heart of Europe.