WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SERVICES AND TRANSGLOBAL SIGN PARTNERSHIP FOR FULL CARGO, RAMP AND PASSENGER HANDLING SERVICES IN NAIROBI

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has signed a partnership agreement with Transglobal Cargo Centre in Kenya to take over the full management, operation and business development of Transglobal’s ultra modern and fast-growing fresh produce and cargo terminal at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

With effect from June 1, 2014, Transglobal Cargo Centre operates under the Africa Flight Services (AFS) brand, the WFS division responsible for the development of a full range of handling activities across Africa. AFS stations are already operating in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Dar es Salaam. WFS is the world’s largest cargo handler and operates at 120 major airports in 20 countries. It handles over 4 million tonnes of cargo per annum on behalf of some 300 airline customers globally. 

The Transglobal Cargo Centre opened in 2007 and is Nairobi’s leading fresh produce and cargo handling facility. In 2013, it handled 52,500 tonnes of cargo on behalf of its airline customers, including Emirates SkyCargo, Lufthansa Cargo and Astral Aviation. Transglobal is a multi-purpose facility, the only one of its kind in Africa, which was designed and built to the highest specifications and requirements of a modern air cargo and freight operation.

Barry Nassberg, Group Chief Operating Officer at WFS, said: “We are delighted to be working with a professional partner in Transglobal, which is in line with our commitment to provide our airline clients with a worldwide network of expertise in handling services. Transglobal will also benefit from joining the WFS network in terms of being part of global customer agreements and having access to our operating and quality standards, and training. This is a far-reaching partnership that includes the development of new business as well as the management and operation of Transglobal’s existing business in Nairobi. The cargo terminal is an outstanding facility and with the capacity to handle over 200,000 tonnes a year, it offers great potential for growth at a time when the Kenyan economy is forecasting an annual GDP increase of 5.7% in 2014 following its healthy 4.7% growth in 2013.”

Historically, cargo volumes in Kenya have grown at around twice the rate of GDP growth. The current air cargo market size in Kenya is approximately 250,000 tonnes per annum, with export traffic accounting for over 75%. 

In addition to providing best-in-class cargo handling at the airport, AFS will also launch ramp and passenger handling in Nairobi by the end of 2014. In support of this, AFS is initially investing in excess of $7 million in new equipment to handle narrow and wide-body passenger aircraft and wide-body freighters.   

Tony Bunn, Commercial Director of Transglobal, added: “We have already created one of the region’s most professional cargo handling stations and in partnership with WFS we will now take this to the next level to support our existing and future customers. There is already considerable interest in AFS because it will offer a full ramp, passenger and cargo service and work to the highest international service standards. This is a new and exciting phase in our development.”

AFS will create over 150 new jobs at the airport this year to support its full service offering for airlines in Nairobi, doubling the size of Transglobal’s workforce at the airport. 

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About WFS

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) was founded in 1983 and is a leading global provider of ground handling and technical services, and the world’s largest cargo handler. Today it is present at 120 major airports in 20 countries on four continents. WFS serves 300 airlines globally, including the handling of four million tonnes of cargo and 50 million airline passengers per annum. The company employs 10,000 staff worldwide and reported revenues for 2013 of €580 million.

Notes to editors

Key highlights of the Transglobal facility in Nairobi include:

i)        Automated Cool Chain Facility: The Cool Chain Facility comprises an area of 2,500 sq. meters and is fitted with two floor ETV (Electric Transfer Vehicle) systems that can handle seven freighter aircraft at one time. The Cool Chain Facility can accommodate 125 pallets and 35 LD3 containers (ULDs) with adequate space for loose cargo and ULD build-up within, fitted with roller beds, ball bearing turntables and weighing platform scales. It has direct airside access. The facility is equipped with a full-size ULD scanner and five loose cargo x-ray scanners positioned at the acceptance points for direct scanning from delivery trucks to eliminate congestion at the acceptance points and to achieve quick turn-round of vehicles. The cool chain has individual cubicles to accommodate commodities with specific temperature requirements e.g. frozen fish, chilled meat products, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

ii)      Exports General Cargo Area: The exports general cargo area of 1,200 sq. meters comprises a cargo storage location as well as a pallet build-up area and storage roller racks for built-up unit load devices. It also accommodates an x-ray machine and platform hoist weighing scales.

iii)    Imports General Cargo Area: The imports cargo area of 3,500 sq. meters is fitted with storage racks, roller beds and turntables to enable stripping of all kinds of ULDs and direct delivery of full units.  

iv)    Office Space: The facility includes a three-storey state-of-the-art office block with 5,150 sq. meters of accommodation for airlines, shippers, clearing and forwarding agents. Standard Bank operates within the facility.

v)      Safety and Security: The entire area inside and outside the Transglobal Cargo Centre complex is under CCTV camera surveillance to ensure total security.  Appropriate and modern fire fighting equipment is also installed.

The facility offers:

-          24-hour CCTV surveillance system

-          Access Control System entry points with biometric checks

-          Two purpose-built strongrooms

-          Secure handling of valuable and vulnerable cargo in a secure caged import area       

-          Screening of all cargo

-          Cargo escorts to and from all flights

vi)                Certifications: Transglobal is ISO certified (ISO 9001: 2008) and was recently awarded Regulated Agents Status in 3rd country (RA3) accreditation in accordance with the EU 654/2013 of 10 July 2013.