AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, has awarded a three-year cargo handling contract to Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in Atlanta. 

WFS said the carrier has become the launch customer of its new cargo terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (H-JAIA).

Under the terms of the agreement, WFS will handle some 9,500 tonnes of cargo annually for AirBridgeCargo, carried onboard approximately 100 Boeing 747-400ERF freighter flights.

The contract extends ABC’s partnership with WFS in North America, with WFS already serving handling contracts with the Russian all-cargo airline in New York JFK, George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH), and Dallas/Fort Worth.

“AirBridgeCargo is an important and growing customer of WFS globally ... The airline and its customers are the first to benefit from WFS’ investment in a new cargo terminal and handling systems in Atlanta and we are delighted to welcome them as our launch client,” said Mike Simpson, EVP Americas at WFS.

“2020 put air cargo at the forefront, showing its ability for resilience and agility ... We are happy to contribute with high-quality services for our customers, both in the USA and beyond, especially for special cargoes, such as healthcare, high-tech, and e-commerce,” Caroline Pappas, director of sales, North America, added.

WFS opened its operation at H-JAIA on May 15 under a 20-year lease agreement with the airport authority for Atlanta’s new Cargo Building C, the first new cargo terminal to open at the airport since the 1980s.  

WFS said it has 50,000 tonnes capacity at its Atlanta operations. The new facility incorporates 11 dock doors, drive-up ramp access, and a container bypass system. Multiple charging points are also available for ‘active’ temperature-controlled containers and WFS is also offering services for temperature-sensitive shipments.