WFS extends Etihad’s US cool chain

Etihad Cargo and handler Worldwide Flight Services have provided further details of their US business handling deal, announced earlier in October.

The SATS-owned handler recently added Chicago O’Hare International Airport to its existing portfolio of John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Facilities at Chicago O’Hare will include an on-airport facility and off airport location. A fully temperature-controlled warehouse with a Controlled Room Temperature (CRT) environment will maintain a constant temperature of +15 to +25°and a dedicated 3,000sq m +2 to +8°C cool room, with space for 120 skid and 10 ULD positions. It offers 37 active container charging stations and export, import, dangerous goods and cooler staging areas.

At JFK, two cool rooms provide storage at temperatures of between +2 to +8°C and +15 to +25°C. There is a ramp area immediately behind the building and a ULD storage area with a new racking system.

WFS Washington facilities include a 5,574sq m warehouse and perishables, pharmaceuticals and live animals capabilities. In recent months, Etihad Cargo has increased its premium product traffic into and out of Washington.

Etihad Cargo head of operations and delivery, Thomas Schürmann, said: “Etihad Cargo and WFS have been partners for a number of years in the US, Europe and Asia, and the cargo handling services WFS provides align fully with Etihad Cargo’s commitment to providing world-leading, compliant cargo solutions at every stage of a cargo’s journey.

“Adherence to Etihad Cargo’s robust quality standards and the capacity to handle increased cargo volumes while ensuring consistent service levels contributed to Etihad Cargo’s decision to appoint WFS as the carrier’s cargo handling partner at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.”

He said that WFS currently handles some 110,000 tonnes of cargo a year for Etihad in the US and this is expected to increase with the addition of Chicago and higher volumes of the carrier’s PharmaLife and FreshForward products across its global network.

WFS senior vice president, commercial and business development, Americas, Jose Canales, added: “WFS is investing in the development of cool chain solutions to become a key industry partner for pharma and perishable shipments. Thanks to the unique global network we now have as part of the SATS Group, WFS can leverage the capabilities and expertise of our North American pharma facilities with those of our other pharma centres around the world.”

Schürmann concluded: “Etihad Cargo is committed to being the air cargo partner of choice, and quality is a core pillar of achieving this vision. Working with partners, such as WFS, who share and adhere to Etihad Cargo’s robust quality standards and industry best practices will enable the carrier to further improve the customer experience and ensure partners receive consistently high-quality air cargo solutions across Etihad Cargo’s global network.”

Etihad Cargo selects WFS for US cargo handling