Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has increased cargo handling capacity by 60% at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport with the official opening of its fifth cargo terminal.
The new facility, which secures WFS’ position as Madrid’s largest independent cargo handling provider, was formally opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by John Batten, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) at WFS, and Humberto Castro, Managing Director of WFS in Spain & Italy.
The new terminal increases WFS’ total cargo facility footprint in Madrid to 17,000 square metres and will support the growing volumes of its thriving client base of 65 airline customers as well as providing expansion opportunities.
In the last 12 months, WFS has renewed cargo contracts in Madrid with customers including Air China, Air Europa, Etihad Airways, Pegasus, Turkish Airlines and World2Fly, and signed new agreements with CMA CGM and TAAG Angola Airlines.
John Batten said: “It is a proud day for WFS to be opening another state-of-the-art cargo handling facility in the EMEAA region.
New cargo terminals provide us with the opportunity to embrace our sustainability and digitalisation programmes from day one of the operation.
“This facility demonstrates our long-term commitment to Madrid and our current and future customers serving this growing airport.”
This new building is located alongside the main freighter parking area and close to Terminals 4 and 4S, shortening cargo transport times.
It has also been designed to support WFS’ commitment to sustainability and digitisation.
Humberto Castro added: “Madrid is strategically important to WFS as a premier European hub for Central and South America cargo volumes, as well as its easy connections for goods moving across the EU and to the Middle and Far East markets.
“It is also one of the preferred e-commerce destinations in Europe, which is an area of major growth today.
“Our continued investment at the airport shows WFS’s intention to remain the leading provider of cargo and ground services in Madrid and to remain a key part of the airport’s continued success.”