Worldwide Flight Services Secures Three-Year Contract Extension with Air China Cargo at Liège Airport
In a significant development within the global air cargo sector, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has successfully secured a three-year extension of its contract for cargo handling services with Air China Cargo at Liège Airport in Belgium. This contract renewal underscores the strength of their collaborative partnership and the increasing demand for air freight services in the region.
As part of the renewed agreement, WFS is responsible for providing both ramp and warehouse handling for Air China Cargo’s operations, which involve weekly freighter flights utilizing Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. These flights originate from key cities in China, including Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, marking a crucial link for the transcontinental movement of goods, particularly in the realm of e-commerce and general cargo. The logistics hub at Liège, which boasts a spacious 12,000 square meter facility, has become an essential site for processing Air China Cargo’s shipments, facilitating the efficient transition of goods from Belgium to the vast Chinese market.
The decision to extend the contract aligns with the remarkable growth trajectory experienced by Liège Airport. Recent statistics indicate a dramatic 16% year-on-year increase in cargo volume for 2024, reflecting the airport’s burgeoning role as a pivotal logistics center in Europe. Among promising developments, the airport recorded 6,772 cargo flights during the first quarter of 2025, translating to a 6.2% increase over the same period in the previous year. Notably, freight throughput also rose by 5.6%, further affirming Liège Airport’s capacity to handle increased cargo demands.
Marc Claesen, the Senior Vice President for Commercial EMEAA at WFS, articulated the significance of the renewed contract, stating, “Air China Cargo is a major customer of WFS across our international network. This new contract extension reflects our strong partnership with the airline in Liège, where WFS has made a significant commitment and investment in our facilities and e-commerce handling services to suit the specific requirements of Air China Cargo and other customers needing this expertise. We thank Air China Cargo for their continued trust in WFS.” This sentiment highlights the mutual advantages cultivated through their partnership, which focuses on enhancing operational efficiency to meet evolving market needs.
The recent contract extension is part of a broader strategic initiative by WFS to solidify its presence in key cargo handling markets worldwide. Just last month, the company entered into a multi-year agreement with Emirates SkyCargo to provide comprehensive cargo handling services at Miami International Airport (MIA). This move is indicative of WFS’s expansion efforts in critical logistical hubs, aiming to enhance service delivery and operational capacity to better serve their airline partners.
Moreover, this month has seen a further bolstering of WFS’s portfolio with Turkish Airlines awarding the company a three-year agreement for cargo and ground handling services, effective at both MIA and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Such contracts highlight the growing recognition of WFS’s capabilities within an exceedingly competitive air cargo landscape, where the ability to manage high volumes of freight with precision and reliability is paramount.
The overall growth in international air cargo service agreements speaks to the broader trends characterizing the logistics and transportation sectors, particularly against the backdrop of post-pandemic recovery. E-commerce continues to surge globally, driving demand for efficient air cargo services as businesses seek to ensure rapid fulfillment of customer orders. Furthermore, as companies look to optimize their supply chains in an increasingly interconnected world, partnerships like those formed between WFS and Air China Cargo will be critical in fostering growth and enhancing logistics capabilities.
As airports across Europe and the globe adapt to the changing dynamics of international trade and e-commerce, it is clear that the importance of strategic partnerships will only grow. Liège Airport’s ongoing success, coupled with WFS’s commitment to enhancing cargo handling operations, exemplifies how synergistic collaborations can meet rising demands while ensuring an efficient and reliable service offering for the air freight industry.
In conclusion, the renewed contract between Worldwide Flight Services and Air China Cargo at Liège Airport not only signifies a pivotal accomplishment for WFS but also underscores the shifting landscape of global air freight. As the industry continues to evolve, such partnerships will play a crucial role in shaping the logistics of tomorrow’s markets.
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