Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has invested in a new cargo terminal at Milan Malpensa Airport capable of handling over 47,000 tonnes a year.

Malpensa is WFS’s first cargo handling facility in Italy, where it previously only operated offices to provide documentation and cargo operations supervision services for American Airlines and China Cargo Airlines.

American Airlines is the launch cargo handling customer in the new facility having signed a new and extended contract with WFS in 2018.

The site will also provide offline handling services for other customers of WFS’s European network.

With the opening of the new cargo terminal at the end of July, WFS now operates from the airport’s newest freight building, which combines 5,000 square metres of warehouse space as well as 3,000 square metres of ramp area and a further 800 square metres of modern office accommodation.

WFS has also invested to equip the operation with the latest cargo handling and ground support equipment, a cool area for temperature-controlled cargo, and racking to store pallets and containers.

WFS Italy managing director, Massimiliano Introini says: “This is the first new cargo facility to open in Milan-Malpensa since 2004 and is part of a 10-15 year commitment by WFS to grow our presence at the airport, where total cargo volumes rose 7.5 per cent in 2017 to 490,000 tonnes.

“This investment makes WFS the only international on-airport cargo handling operator in Italy.”

WFS EVP cargo – Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, John Batten adds: “In Milan, we will offer cargo handling and technology solutions that deliver the highest quality of service, safety and security, and we look forward to contributing to the airport’s continued success.”