Swissport, the world's leading aviation services provider, has opened a strategic second-line cargo facility at Amsterdam Schiphol, significantly expanding its capacity and reinforcing its position as Europe's air-cargo partner of choice in the Golden Triangle.
The new Terminal 12 (T12) adds 5,000 m² of handling space, bringing Swissport's total cargo footprint at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to 40,000 m² and supporting the growth of European cargo volumes.
From January 2026, this capacity will increase by a further 3,800 m², expanding Swissport's total footprint at Schiphol to 43,800 m². The terminal began full operations in early October and now operates 24/7 to meet rising import cargo demand while delivering enhanced reliability, capacity, and innovation for airlines and freight forwarders.
"At Swissport, our goal is to be the most trusted and innovative air cargo partner worldwide," said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India & Global Cargo Chair, Swissport.
"Expanding capacity at strategic hubs like Schiphol is central to our global strategy — enabling us to meet growing demand, drive operational excellence, and deliver sustainable, cutting-edge solutions for airlines and customers around the world. Recent expansions in Liège, Manchester, as well as new partnerships in JFK, and China, further strengthen Swissport’s integrated global network and enhance connectivity globally."
Jeroen Giling, managing director Cargo, Swissport Netherlands said this expansion underscores the company's long-term commitment to the Amsterdam Schiphol cargo community.
"Terminal 12 strengthens our import handling capabilities and enables us to manage growing cargo volumes safely and efficiently, easing pressure on our existing warehouses and ensuring greater reliability for our customers."
Optimized operations, enhanced efficiency
Terminal 12 will primarily handle import shipments, providing additional storage and processing capacity to further enhance efficiency at Swissport’s first-line warehouses.
Swissport noted that this allocation of cargo flows will contribute to more efficient capacity utilization across the entire Swissport Schiphol operation, reducing truck waiting times and optimizing warehouse workflow.
The new facility builds on Swissport's earlier investments at Schiphol in 2024 and 2025, which included the addition of three loading bridges for pallets and containers (now totaling four), over 140 caster deck positions inside the existing warehouse, and 150 caster deck positions outside.
These enhancements, together with three dedicated fast lanes for expedited transport from aircraft to delivery trucks, have helped triple the facility's loading capacity and significantly improve overall delivery times.
Sustainable logistics
Swissport said Terminal 12 is intended to support its sustainability efforts at Schiphol, including integration with the "Milk Run" consolidation programme. Introduced in 2015, the Milk Run combines shipments from multiple freight forwarders into single truck runs to reduce traffic, emissions and improve logistics efficiency.
The company plans to link the new terminal to the programme as soon as possible.
The opening of Terminal 12 expands Swissport's presence at Schiphol, located within the European logistics hub known as the "Golden Triangle." With three cargo terminals in operation, the company manages a broad mix of freight, including pharmaceuticals, perishables and high‑value shipments.
