Swissport expands cargo capacity at Schiphol with launch of Terminal 12

Swissport has opened Terminal 12, a second-line cargo facility at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, marking a significant expansion of its handling capacity. The new site adds 5,000 square metres of operational space and brings the company’s total cargo footprint at Schiphol to 40,000 square metres. Swissport expects this to increase to 43,800 square metres in January 2026 when a further 3,800 square metres becomes available.

The terminal began full operations in early October and now runs around the clock. The company said the additional space is intended to support growing import cargo volumes and improve reliability and capacity for airline and freight forwarding customers.

“At Swissport, our goal is to be the most trusted and innovative air cargo partner worldwide," said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO, Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, and Global Cargo Chair, Swissport. He said expanding capacity at key hubs forms a central part of the company’s global strategy. “Recent expansions in Liège and Manchester, as well as new partnerships in JFK and China, further strengthen Swissport’s integrated global network and enhance connectivity globally.”

Jeroen Giling, Managing Director Cargo, Swissport Netherlands, said the investment reflects the company’s long-term position at Schiphol. "Terminal 12 strengthens our import handling capabilities and enables us to manage growing cargo volumes safely and efficiently, easing pressure on our existing warehouses and ensuring greater reliability for our customers."

Terminal 12 will focus on import shipments. Swissport said the additional storage and processing areas will help improve efficiency across its wider Schiphol operation by reducing truck waiting times and balancing warehouse use between facilities.

The facility follows earlier expansions at Schiphol in 2024 and 2025, including new loading bridges for pallets and containers, additional caster deck positions inside and outside the warehouse, and three fast lanes to speed movement between aircraft and delivery trucks. Swissport said these measures have helped triple loading capacity and shorten delivery times.

Terminal 12 is also part of Swissport’s efforts to meet its sustainability targets. The company plans to integrate the facility into its Milk Run consolidation system, launched in 2015 to reduce truck movements by combining shipments for multiple forwarders into single trips.

Swissport said the new terminal strengthens its position within Europe’s logistics centre, often described as the Golden Triangle linking Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt. With three cargo terminals now operating at Schiphol, the company handles a broad mix of commodities, including pharmaceuticals, perishables and high-value goods.

More than 300 staff support Swissport’s cargo operations at the airport. The company said Terminal 12 will help meet rising demand from airline customers and reinforce its role across European and global networks.