Ground handler WFS has started operations at its new New York JFK Aiport facility - the first newbuild cargo terminal at the airport in 30 years.
The facility opened at the end of January and brings the SATS-owned handler’s total footprint at the airport to more than 1m sq ft across eight facilities.
The new terminal has 350,000 sq ft of floor space and boasts "cutting-edge technology, environmentally sustainable practices, and robust safety and security protocols", WFS said.
WFS currently serves 38 international and domestic airline customers at JFK and is the largest dedicated cargo handler at the airport.
The new facility also has 3,000 sq ft of cooler space for perishable and pharmaceutical goods requiring variable temperature ranges of between 2-8°C or 15-25°C.
WFS said this is the "first-ever dedicated on-airport handling facility for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products and perishable cargo".
Adjacent to the new WFS cargo terminal is a ramp area that can accommodate up to three Boeing 747-400/777 or similar-sized widebody freighters. It has already received its first arrival with Atlas Air.
In terms of safety, the facility has dock and polymer barriers to prevent accidental trailer movement as well as impact-resistant doors and column protection systems to minimise damage from forklifts and moving equipment, thus reducing downtime.
It will also offer a Dock Management System for managing cargo pickups and drop-offs and a slot booking system to allow trucks to booking appointments at one of the 44 truck docks.
"The digital journey of cargo shipments in Building 260 is also driven by the latest technologies, from Warehouse Progress Monitoring (WPM) to give customers real-time visibility, to Auto Dimensioning Equipment for compliance with carrier requirements, and IATA Dangerous Goods (DG) Autocheck for safety and security," WFS said.
"The Automated ETV (Elevating Transport Vehicle) and Unit Load Device (ULD) Management systems have been designed to allow for tracking by flight and automated staging for cargo buildup and breakdown, which helps to streamline operations by minimizing forklift usage needed to move ULDs like aircraft containers and pallets."
The technologies will help optimise labour requirements, reduce congestion and reduce truck waiting times, WFS said.
It added that Building 260 is located next to several major highways.
On sustainability, the new facility will use electric forklift trucks and EV charging stations for both ground support equipment and customer/employee vehicles.
Plans for the new facility were announced in 2023, with the company saying it had signed a 15-year lease.
Mike Simpson, chief executive, gateway services, Americas at WFS, said: “Building 260 marks a new era for WFS and air cargo at one of the main gateways to the US.
"This cutting-edge facility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in our drive to serve customers better. Building 260 sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide."
WFS also increased its presence in the US Midwest in 2023 by opening an additional cargo terminal at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, growing annual capacity by 10% to over 310m kg.
