Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has increased its cargo capacity at Chicago O'Hare International Airport by more than 10% to over 310 million kilos a year with the opening of an expanded cargo terminal there.

WFS said this latest investment aligns with SATS Group's and WFS' joint vision to provide world-class capabilities across their combined and expanding worldwide network. 

 Photo: WFS

"WFS has signed a 15-year lease on the new facility in the airport's Northeast Cargo Area, which commenced operations last month," the announcement said on June 2.

It added that the facility provides an additional 122,000 sq ft of warehouse space, 10,000 sq ft of office accommodation, and some 200,000 sq ft of ramp space at the third busiest airport in North America.

WFS has been providing cargo and ground handling services for airlines and logistics providers in Chicago O'Hare for 40 years — supplying cargo, ramp, mail, and passenger services for customers including China Airlines, Eva Air, Kalitta Air, Flexport, Atlas Air, UPS, USPS and Air France KLM Martinair.

It said cargo customers are now managed through four WFS facilities at the airport.

In addition to the new cargo terminal, WFS has three established warehouse and office operations in Chicago, covering a combined footprint of 595,000 sq ft.

This capability has helped WFS gain new and renewed contracts in the last 12 months with Flexport, Atlas Air, Eva Air, Kalitta Air, KLM, Air France, Martinair, WestJet, UPS, USPS and China Airlines.

The new facility investment provides a platform for future growth, WFS added.

It noted that the latest WFS facility is equipped with electric forklift vehicles to support WFS' sustainability focus, as well as solar panels and EV chargers.

It is also fitted with a three-tier AKE storage racking system to optimise its handling capacity and an automated bypass system.

A 3,000 sq ft, two-storey cooler with three levels of vertical storage and the capacity of 100+ skid positions and six ULD pallets will also support WFS' customers’ premium temperature-controlled products.   

"This new facility and investment reinforce WFS' long-term commitment to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and its airline and logistics customers,"  said Frank Clemente, SVP Cargo, North America at WFS.

"With on-site ramp handling, brand-new equipment and sustainability features, it significantly enhances our presence at the airport and provides the growth capacity we need as a leading provider of safe, secure and high-quality handling services at one of the premier air cargo gateways in the United States," he added.