Swissport Expands Cargo Capacity at Euroairport

Swissport has expanded its logistics at EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg by 800 square meters of new cargo space. The expanded facility addresses the increasing import volume and enhances the speed and efficiency of cargo handling. To meet the growing demand of existing carrier networks, Swissport has increased its logistics infrastructure at EuroAirport Basel by an additional 800 square meters of cargo space.

(Zurich/Basel) This enables optimized capacity and route planning for the airlines already operating at the airport while simultaneously supporting CO₂ reduction goals.

In 2024, the company handled over 47,000 tons of cargo at the site, underscoring the strategic role of EuroAirport as a hub for international goods – particularly pharmaceuticals. To support this growth through more efficient use of existing flights, Swissport has increased capacities and implemented optimized processes in coordination with the French and Swiss customs, tailored to the unique binational structure of the airport. These measures allow for faster last-mile distribution and ensure smooth and efficient cargo handling.

“Located in the heart of Europe, at the tri-border area, EuroAirport is an important logistics hub for global imports into Europe and pharmaceutical exports from Switzerland,” said Andreas Behnke, Head of Cargo Switzerland, Italy & France and Station Manager of Swissport Basel. “As an expert in air freight, we continuously adapt our logistics capacities to meet demand with excellence and efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards.”

Swissport is also well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for temperature-controlled cargo handling. At EuroAirport, 64% of cargo activities involve the export of temperature-sensitive goods, primarily from the Swiss pharmaceutical industry. The IATA CEIV Pharma-certified Swissport Pharma Center in Basel underscores the company’s commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics. With its specialized “Cool+Connect” infrastructure, the center continuously protects shipments in the temperature range of +2 to +8 °C. At the same time, truck movements are reduced, processing times are shortened by up to 70%, and CO₂ emissions are significantly lowered.

5 Million Tons of Air Freight in 117 Centers

Swissport’s successes in Basel reflect a broader global achievement. In 2024, the company handled a record amount of five million tons of air freight across its 117 air freight centers worldwide. Strategic investments in infrastructure and technology have significantly contributed to this success, including the modernization of a cargo warehouse in Johannesburg, South Africa, the opening of a third air freight center in Liège, Belgium, to meet the rising demand in e-commerce, and the expansion of the “Flower Corridor” facilities in Amsterdam and Liège.

Photo: © Swissport