WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SERVICES ACQUIRES SWISSPORT’S CARGO BUSINESS AT COPENHAGEN AIRPORT

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has signed an agreement to acquire Swissport’s cargo business at Copenhagen Airport, reinforcing its position as the largest independent cargo handler in Denmark.

Under the terms of the agreement, Swissport will transfer all business activities to WFS on 1^st October 2014. WFS will take over Swissport’s 4,200m² cargo terminal at Copenhagen Airport, which handles 18,000 tonnes a year on behalf of leading international airlines.  

Marc Claesen, Regional Vice President, North Europe at WFS, said: “We are delighted to have successfully concluded this agreement. Copenhagen has been a big growth airport for WFS since we opened our operation in 2006 and this latest investment not only gives us potential for further expansion, it brings more leading international airlines into our portfolio in Scandinavia, that are also customers of WFS elsewhere in our global network.”  

Jos Roeven, Managing Director, Swissport Cargo Services The Netherlands and Area Director Nordics, added: “WFS is a major player in cargo handling and is therefore perfectly equipped to take over the cargo business at Copenhagen Airport.”

WFS provides services to 300 airlines globally, is present at 120 major airports in 20 countries on four continents, and handles four million tonnes of cargo a year. It commenced operations in Scandinavia in 2006 having been awarded a concession on land by Copenhagen Airport a year earlier and investing in the construction of a new cargo terminal. WFS also opened its own cargo business at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport in 2012.

The new agreement with Swissport will take WFS’ total cargo volume at Copenhagen Airport to 100,000 tonnes a year. Its existing facilities at the airport include two cargo terminals with a total area of nearly 10,000m² of warehouse space and office accommodation. WFS’ airline clients at the airport include Singapore Airlines, China Cargo Airlines, Korean Air, British Airways, TAP Portugal, Iberia, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Greenland, Cargolux and Icelandair.

The sale of the Copenhagen cargo business to WFS includes all business activities currently carried out by Swissport Cargo Services Denmark ApS as well as all assets. The exit process will start immediately and will be concluded 1^st October 2014.

-ends-

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.

About Swissport

Swissport International Ltd. is the world´s largest provider of ground and cargo handling services in the aviation industry. The company provides ground services on behalf of some 700 client-companies and handles around 224 million passengers and 3.9 million flights per year. The company operates 120 warehouses and moves approx. 4.0 million tonnes of cargo. With a workforce of around 55,000 personnel, Swissport is active at more than 260 stations in 45 countries across five continents, and generates annual consolidated operating revenue of CHF 3 billion. www.swissport.com