Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has more than doubled its cargo handling operation at Boston-Logan International Airport to accommodate new contracts with Lufthansa, SAS and Swiss International Air Lines.
WFS, the world’s largest cargo handler, established its presence in Boston 12 years ago and prior to this latest expansion has been operating from a 30,000 sq ft facility on behalf of three major airline customers; American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. Following a successful bid for the new Cargo Building 62 in the South Cargo Area at the airport, it has now added a further 22,500 sq ft of warehousing plus over 26,000 sq ft of truck docking, equipment storage and office space.
In seeking a tenant for the new building, the Massachusetts Port Authority said the successful bidder needed to demonstrate their commitment to safe and efficient use of the facility and the ability to deliver timely customer service using advanced systems and technologies. It subsequently awarded the lease to WFS, effective August 2017.
In 2016, WFS increased its handled tonnage in Boston by 6% to more than 24,000 tonnes. The three new airline contracts in its second facility will boost throughput at the airport by another 55,000 tonnes a year.
WFS will handle cargo for Lufthansa’s 21 Airbus A330 and A340 flights a week connecting Boston with the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich. These services will reduce to 14 per week during the winter season. Swiss International Air Lines has also chosen WFS to manage cargo carried onboard up to 14 weekly frequencies to and from Zurich. Both airlines have signed fiveyear contracts with WFS in Boston.
SAS has awarded WFS a threeyear agreement to manage cargo handling for its four Boeing 737-700 flights a week connecting Boston and Copenhagen. The SAS and Swiss contracts commence in September 2017 and Lufthansa will transfer its contract to WFS in October.
As well as its investment in the new warehouse and office construction, WFS has equipped Cargo Building 62 with dual-view x-ray screening equipment and CCTV monitoring systems in line with its global commitment to the highest levels of safety, security and quality. The building has also been equipped with new forklift trucks and weighing systems as well as racking and a cooler facility for perishables. More than 50 additional personnel have also been recruited to support WFS’ growing operation at the airport, which is being led by Rinzing Wangyal, VP Business Planning, and Tim Coggswell, Area Manager North East.
Michael A. Duffy, CEO Americas at WFS, said: “We are proud that Massachusetts Port Authority awarded us the lease to this impressive new cargo facility and to be welcoming three such prestigious airline customers to Cargo Building 62. We have a well-established business in Boston already and this new investment reinforces our position as one of the largest cargo handlers at the airport. With our number one priority of safety, security and quality – alongside our long-term strategic partnerships with leading global airlines – we look forward to supporting the continued growth and success of Boston-Logan International Airport.”
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