Worldwide Flight Services announced that it is to open a new offline cargo warehouse at Amsterdam Schiphol to support its growing client base at the airport and add capacity ahead of the winter 2022 peak season.

The air cargo handler said the new 3,000m² facility is the fourth WFS cargo terminal at Schiphol, taking the company's overall footprint to 17,500m², and will be dedicated to handling offline cargoes.

Expansion, upgrades in Europe

It added that this is part of WFS' ongoing commitment to invest in growing and upgrading its facilities at major air cargo gateways in Europe as opportunities to do so become available.

"Amsterdam is one of our biggest hubs in Europe and it's important that we continue to align with the capacity and service needs of our customers," said Marc Claesen, SVP Commercial EMEAA.

"Across Europe and North America, WFS is working with airports to access additional and, where possible, new cargo handling space. Schiphol is the latest of several airport expansions we will achieve in 2022."

Claesen noted that aside from providing WFS with a dedicated offline operation in Amsterdam, this development will also improve the cargo handler's  ability to optimize its overall warehouse capacity at the airport, which will be very important as we enter the peak season and beyond.  

WFS currently provides cargo handling services at Schiphol for more than 50 airlines as well as major forwarding and logistics providers.

In addition to warehouse operations, WFS' service portfolio also includes airside transport and linehaul trucking.

WFS said the new building has eight truck docks for loading and unloading and will open in August, adding to WFS' capabilities to handle pharmaceuticals, perishables, AVI, and valuable and Dangerous Goods shipments.

It will also adopt the latest operational systems, including the CargoKiosk system to expedite the handling of trucks making cargo deliveries and collections, and CargoSpot Mobile to digitalize operational processes and provide 'real-time' shipment visibility.

WFS said its pharma facility in Amsterdam is certified in compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and IATA CEIV Pharma requirements to handle CRT, COL, and ERT temperature-controlled shipments with cool rooms offering 2-8° and 15-25° environments to protect the integrity of pharma products.