Swissport expands operations with a new EuroAirport cargo hub

Swissport, the world’s premier provider of airport ground services, air cargo handling, and airport hospitality solutions, has officially expanded its European operational footprint through the strategic launch of Swissport Cargo Services France at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. Operating within the French sector of the tri-national airport facility, the development marks a major return to the French air freight market for Swissport while creating a robust operational platform designed to anchor future commercial growth across the region. The state-of-the-art facility spans 3,000 square metres of high-specification cargo handling capacity, significantly enhancing air freight infrastructure at one of Central Europe’s most dynamic logistics crossroads.

Designed to meet the rigorous operational standards required by modern air carriers and logistics partners, the newly inaugurated facility features a specialised layout optimised for efficiency, security and rapid throughput. Out of the total 3,000 square metres, the warehouse houses a dedicated 1,000-square-metre French customs zone engineered to streamline customs clearance and regulatory compliance for shipments originating from or bound for France. The remaining 2,000 square metres of space are allocated to international cargo handling activities, primarily dedicated to the build-up and breakdown of airline pallets (ULDs), direct cargo processing and freight management. This functional division ensures that both regional import-export flows and high-volume international transshipments can be handled simultaneously without operational bottlenecks.

During its initial phase of operations, Swissport Cargo Services France will place its primary focus on airline cargo handling activities. Although established and operated as an independent legal and commercial entity tailored specifically to serve the French aviation market, the new operation will maintain an intimately integrated operational relationship with Swissport’s well-established cargo hub in Basel. By leveraging the existing hub's extensive local logistics expertise, operational infrastructure and staff training protocols, the French entity will benefit from immediate operational synergies. Furthermore, the unit will fully adhere to Swissport’s unified global benchmark standards in safety, quality management and operational excellence, giving airline clients consistent service reliability.

Reflecting on the strategic importance of the launch, Bruno Stefani, Regional CEO Switzerland, Italy and France at Swissport, highlighted the pivotal role that the French aviation sector plays in the company’s broader European growth roadmap. He noted that France represents an extraordinarily important aviation market holding immense long-term growth potential for Swissport. According to Stefani, establishing Swissport Cargo Services France represents a critical step in building a permanent, resilient operational footprint across the nation. He further emphasised that Swissport's vision extends well beyond cargo handling, as the company foresees broad opportunities to introduce its global expertise in airport ground services and premium airport hospitality to the French market, ultimately fostering deep, enduring partnerships with international airlines and airport authorities alike.

Echoing this sentiment from an operational standpoint, Andreas Behnke, Head of Cargo Switzerland, Italy and France, who also serves as Station Manager Basel-Mulhouse at Swissport, highlighted the collaborative synergy underpinning the new setup. Behnke emphasised that the launch allows the group to effectively capitalise on the deep operational experience of its veteran Basel cargo team while simultaneously establishing a dedicated, localised presence focused on French cargo opportunities. He reinforced that the station’s immediate priority revolves around instilling an unwavering commitment to teamwork, stringent safety protocols and operational performance across the new organisation, thereby establishing a rock-solid foundation for future commercial and infrastructure development.

The opening of the Basel-Mulhouse French sector facility significantly bolsters Swissport’s extensive European freight network, which operates as an essential component of the company's global footprint comprising more than 120 dedicated cargo centres worldwide. On a global scale, Swissport manages over five million tonnes of air freight each year on behalf of hundreds of airline customers. By combining its massive international scale and rigorous standardised processes with localised operational insight, Swissport continues to solidify its position as the premier cargo handling partner in global aviation.