Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a Member of the SATS Group, has opened its air cargo terminal and cold chain facility at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (“BLR Airport”) in India. WFS was awarded the 15-year licence to operate the international cargo terminal and cold chain facility in June 2022 by way of a partnership with Bengaluru airport operator Bengaluru International Airport Limited (“BIAL”).
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WFS will be responsible for the development, operation, management, and maintenance of the international cargo terminal and is also the exclusive operator of the dedicated cold chain facility at BLR airport. Plans are underway to double the terminal’s annual throughput to more than 250,000MT. WFS and BIAL will expand the capacity of the airport’s cold chain facility to 80,000MT and 150,000MT per annum over two phases.
John Batten, CEO of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia (EMEAA), WFS, said: “WFS has a wealth of experience creating and operating specialist pharma hubs at major airports across our network in Europe, North America and Asia. India is the sixth-largest global economy and the single-largest provider of generic drugs globally. We are confident that we can add value to the Indian air cargo industry by introducing world-class practices, safety and security standards, sustainable practices and operational excellence to drive productivity improvements and achieve greater efficiency to enhance the Government of India’s National Air Cargo Policy and achieve related ambitions.”
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Bengaluru joins the combined SATS and WFS global network, which provides air cargo logistics, ground handling and technical services in over 200 locations across more than 20 countries. SATS Group, which recently acquired WFS, operates the air cargo terminal in Mumbai. WFS’s opening of the air cargo terminal and cold chain facility in BLR Airport will provide SATS’ and WFS’s customers with expanded cargo network connectivity in India to facilitate value-added and end-to-end air cargo services across the globe.
