SriLankan appoints WFS for Heathrow cargo handling

SriLankan Airlines has appointed Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) as its cargo handler at London Heathrow.

WFS said the airline will be the first new customer for its new off-airport CenterPoint cargo handling terminal, which opened in the summer

“The building incorporates a mezzanine floor suitable for handling e-commerce, mail and courier shipments in addition to 30,000 sq ft of ground floor space,” WFS said.

The 32-month contract starts in September and will see WFS provide cargo handling and airside transport for its Airbus A330-300 flights connecting London and Colombo.

SriLankan currently operates a weekly flight on the route but is expected to increase frequencies as the airline industry recovers from the disruption to schedules caused by Covid.

Prior to the pandemic, SriLankan Airlines carried some 9,500 tonnes of cargo annually between the two countries.

Paul Carmody, WFS’ managing director – UK Cargo, said: “This is a very important new contract for our UK operation and justifies WFS’ decision to invest further in our Heathrow operation with the opening of CenterPoint.

“The facility has been extensively refurbished to meet our requirements and will ensure our team at Heathrow can provide the first class standards of service SriLankan Airlines demands for its customers.”

WFS now operates over 350,000 sq ft of cargo facilities at Heathrow.

“In the last 12 months, the UK operation has also been successful in winning a new contract with Gulf Air and extending its existing cargo handling agreement with Vietnam Airlines,” WFS said.

Carmody added: “The expected resumption of more passenger services ex Heathrow in the coming weeks and months is very welcome news. The addition of CenterPoint, alongside our on-airport cargo terminals at Heathrow, means WFS is especially well-placed to support our current and new airline clients as their cargo volumes grow back to 2019 levels.”

WFS’ Heathrow clients consists of 14 international airlines.