Quantcast

WFS expands capacity at Madrid Airport with fifth terminal opening

Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
WFS expands capacity at Madrid Airport with fifth terminal opening
Webp qj5munmfs624bdp2bm4w8syr8zw8
Joe Petrie Editor & Chief | AviationPros

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has increased cargo handling capacity by 60 percent at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport with the official opening of its fifth cargo terminal.

The new facility, which secures WFS’ position as Madrid’s largest independent cargo handling provider, was formally opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by John Batten, chief executive officer for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA) at WFS, and Humberto Castro, managing director of WFS in Spain and Italy.

The new terminal increases WFS’ total cargo facility footprint in Madrid to 17,000 square meters and will support the growing volumes of its client base of 65 airline customers while providing expansion opportunities. In the last 12 months, WFS has renewed cargo contracts in Madrid with customers including Air China, Air Europa, Etihad Airways, Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines and World2Fly. The company also signed new agreements with CMA CGM and TAAG Angola Airlines.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

“It is a proud day for WFS to be opening another state-of-the-art cargo handling facility in the EMEAA region. New cargo terminals provide us with the opportunity to embrace our sustainability and digitalisation programmes from day one of the operation. This facility demonstrates our long-term commitment to Madrid and our current and future customers serving this growing airport,” Batten said.

WFS has been a leading provider of cargo handling services for airlines in Madrid since 1998 and has consistently invested to increase and upgrade its infrastructure. Previous facilities were opened in Madrid in 2001, 2018, and 2019.

In support of its long-term commitment to the airport community, WFS has signed a 30-year lease on the new building located on a 12,500 square meter site with a warehouse area connected directly to the airport tarmac. The building provides:

- Seventeen landside truck/van docks for efficient collections and deliveries

- Two BUP dedicated docks

- Direct access from the main road

- Two build-up pallet lanes

- Four airside truck docks capable of handling ULDs up to twenty feet

- A secured refrigerated cargo acceptance area

- Temperature-controlled cool rooms for pharma and perishable shipments

- A Material Handling System connecting landside and airside docks

- Four integrated lowerable workstations with scales

- Dedicated areas for special cargoes such as DGS (Dangerous Goods), VUN (Valuables), HUM (Human Remains), PIL (Pillows), AVI (Live Animals)

- Optimized security systems including CCTV monitoring

This new building is strategically located near Terminals 4 and 4S to shorten transport times. It supports WFS’ sustainability commitments by being powered entirely by renewable energy sources that supply LED lighting, climatization systems for warehouses, electric battery chargers for vehicles as well as warehouse equipment. Indoor Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) will be introduced later this year.

The facility utilizes advanced technology like Cargospot mobile warehouse technology along with CargoKiosk digital systems designed to expedite truck processing times efficiently through automated means. A Warehouse Workflow Monitoring System ensures consistent levels of efficiency aligned with customer KPIs.

Castro added: “Madrid is strategically important to WFS as a premier European hub for Central and South America cargo volumes due to its easy connections across EU markets extending towards Middle & Far Eastern regions; it also stands out among preferred e-commerce destinations witnessing significant growth today."

“Our continued investment at this airport underscores intentions towards maintaining leadership status within ground service provision alongside contributing significantly towards ongoing success witnessed here.”

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group marked a significant milestone by celebrating 20 years of service to Japan Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Apr 28, 2025

Korean Air is expanding its Airbus A380 services between Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) due to increasing travel demand.

Apr 28, 2025

United Airlines is planning to adjust its flight schedule on the Newark-London Heathrow route by adding a second daytime flight this coming winter.

Apr 28, 2025

American Airlines has expanded its codeshare agreement with Iberia on intra-European routes from Madrid, Spain.

Apr 28, 2025

Sir Elton John, renowned British musician, travels in a Bombardier Global Express XRS private jet.

Apr 28, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a British Airways incident involving a Boeing 777-300ER on April 26, 2025.

Apr 28, 2025

Loading...

No comments available.