Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) has won a new five-year contract with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo as it prepares to open a second new cargo terminal in Brussels. 

The world’s largest cargo handling company said in a statement that under the terms of the agreement, which commences this month, WFS will provide a total handling solution including cargo, mail and truck handling, and services for special products, for some 30,000 tonnes annually.

Winning the Air France KLM Martinair Cargo contract comes as WFS prepares for the opening of its new 25,000 sq m Building 835 at Brussels Airport.

WFS said the new facility is part of a €100 million (US$118 million) investment by Brussels Airport in the cargo zone at the airport and will incorporate 3,000 square metres of cooling facilities for pharma and perishables shipments, a covered airside staging area and outside container storage.

The facility will also be equipped with full CCTV coverage, x-ray and other security technologies.  

“We are extremely proud that Air France KLM Martinair Cargo are extending their partnership with WFS in Europe as we continue to invest in our presence at Brussels Airport. WFS is making this strong commitment to supporting our customers, the Belgian freight and logistics industry, and Brussels Airport’s ambition to be one of Europe’s most important and professional cargo hubs. We are extremely confident in the long-term airport’s growth potential,” said Marc Claesen, senior vice president Commercial EMEAA at WFS.

Brussels Airport investment

The opening of Building 835 will mark WFS’ second new cargo terminal at Brussels Airport within two years.

In February 2019, it also commenced operations in the custom-built Building 832 at the airport, a 9,400 sq m freight centre designed to support fast and efficient loading, unloading and handling of cargo, and specialist trucking and forwarding activities.  

WFS’ 17 airline customers in Brussels, as well as their freight forwarding customers, also benefit from other innovative technologies, including a slot booking app to expedite truck handling times and kiosks and self-acceptance systems for faster cargo acceptance.