Swissport launches first perishable cargo centre at Liege Airport

Swissport has opened a dedicated perishable handling centre at Liege Airport, marking a major step in strengthening its global cool chain operations. Fully operational from 1 August, the temperature-controlled facility can handle 40 Unit Load Devices (ULDs), equivalent to a full freighter load and supports climate-sensitive shipments with a constant temperature range of 2°C to 8°C.

The new airside centre forms part of Swissport’s strategy to offer tailored solutions for specialised cargo like perishables and eCommerce. Its direct access to aircraft ensures smooth and quick transfers, cutting down handling time and protecting product freshness. The setup allows faster delivery of goods across Europe, especially to key markets such as the Dutch flower industry. This facility adds to Swissport’s third cargo terminal at Liège, opened in April 2024, bringing its total footprint at the airport to 27,000 square metres. It also builds on recent cold chain upgrades in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

“The perishable centre shows our commitment to specialised logistics,” said Wilfried Jans, Managing Director of Swissport Belgium. “It positions us as a strong partner for high-value perishables like cut flowers moving through our network.”

Swissport now offers temperature-controlled cargo handling at both ends of the supply chain. Its new facility at Liège connects to a growing global cool chain, providing end-to-end protection for sensitive shipments. The airside location reduces the risk of temperature shifts by allowing direct aircraft-to-cold storage transfer.

“This investment strengthens Liege’s role in our cool chain network,” said Dirk Goovaerts, Global Cargo Chair and CEO of Swissport’s CEMEAI region. “By linking Nairobi and Amsterdam, we are enabling a reliable temperature-controlled flower corridor. This also supports our growing work in eCommerce logistics.”

Swissport has served Liege Airport since 2001, offering wide-ranging cargo services, including general and special cargo handling, express services, forwarder and hub handling, and now specialised perishable handling. In 2024, a team of 300 handled 400,000 tonnes of air cargo and serviced over 3,850 freighter flights at the airport.

Globally, Swissport handled around 5 million tonnes of air freight in 2024 and supported 247 million airline passengers. With 65,000 employees, it operates in 45 countries across 279 airports and continues to invest in certified cold chain infrastructure through its CEIV Pharma and MHRA-approved facilities.