Handler cites 28% volume surge in first half of 2025 and airport's strategic trade importance as drivers for 2027 warehouse launch
Cargo handler WFS will expand its presence at the UK’s Heathrow Airport after winning a tender to lease a new air cargo facility at the airport.
The new facility measures 11,000 sq m, will have an annual handling capacity of more than 160,000 tonnes and will become operational in 2027.
SATS-owned WFS said the contract for the facility, located on Southampton Road cargo area, will run for 20 years.
The handler plans to install a four-level, 220-position pallet and container handling system (PCHS) with two elevating transfer vehicles (ETVs).
The warehouse will also incorporate dedicated handling facilities for special cargoes, including valuable, pharmaceutical, perishable, express, AVI, and dangerous goods shipments. It will also handle outsize cargoes, such as cars and aero engines.
WFS said its decision to take the new warehouse reflects increased demand levels at the airport and the airport’s strategic importance to UK and international trade.
"The new development will enable WFS to meet the growth requirements of its existing customers and provide capacity to serve more airlines," WFS explained.
In 2024, 1.6m tonnes of cargo moved through Heathrow – up 10% year on year - with a value of £215.6bn, making it the largest UK port by value, WFS pointed out, adding that airlines operating to and from Heathrow serve 230 destinations globally in 85 countries and regions and carry over 72% of all UK air cargo by value.
”This strong performance is reflected in WFS’ growth at London Heathrow, with volumes 28% higher in the first six months of 2025 versus H1/2024, resulting from airline contract wins and organic growth by its existing carrier clients,” WFS said in a press release.
Chris Beale, managing director UK at WFS, added: ”Heathrow is literally flying from a cargo perspective, so it is imperative that we can provide the physical infrastructure to process these growing volumes.
”This new lease is an important part of this strategy and reflects WFS long-term commitment to Heathrow and its airline and cargo customers.”
WFS currently has eight facilities at Heathrow with a total footprint of nearly 44,000 sq m and handles over 350,000 tonnes annually for 12 major airlines, including its latest customers, Air India and Riyadh Air.
