About Us

A message from our Executive team

At WFS, as our ground handling business has continued to grow year-on-year all over the world, we have never lost sight on one important fact; it’s not the biggest that succeed, it’s the best.

 

To be the best, our teams of cargo, passenger and ramp handling experts in more than 158 major airport locations in over 18 countries on five continents know they have to perform to the highest level for our customers every single day, and they do. Our business is built on working closely with every customer, on understanding the requirements of their business, and ensuring we not only meet their expectations but also use our knowledge and expertise to find ways to help them grow.

 

Today, we are proud to work with more than 270 major airlines and airports globally that put their trust in WFS every day. Every passenger we welcome, every piece of cargo we process, and every aircraft we handle is another test of our quality and reliability, and our ability to operate safely and securely. We are confident that we have a global team of handling professionals that ensure we consistently meet this challenge.

 

Today, the size and scope of our company means we can offer our customers and partners more services in more locations than ever before and we can invest in the growth of our network and the diversification of our services. We are an ambitious team of professionals and we are constantly looking for ways to improve what we offer and to help our customers achieve important efficiencies in their own businesses. We are also constantly looking for, and evaluating, new opportunities and partnerships that can strengthen our position in the competitive environment we all work in today.

 

On behalf of the WFS global team, we are proud to serve you.

OUR HISTORY

Since 1993, we have been growing our reputation as one of the world's leading providers of ground handling services for airlines and airports, helping them to grow too by the quality and reliability of our services and the expertise and professionalism of our global team.

  • 1993

    AMR Services acquired SFS, a Cargo business founded in 1971 in France, to form a powerful European and North American cargo and ground handling business.

  • 1996

    Regional offices open in Hong Kong to manage and develop the company’s presence and growth in Asia.

  • 1999

    AMR Services Corporation is sold to Castle Harlan. It renames newly-acquired business as Worldwide Flight Services (WFS).

  • 2001

    The Vinci Group acquires WFS as part of its Vinci Airport Management division.

  • 2002

    The Vinci Group acquires a majority shareholding in EFS, formerly SEN Group, and integrates the business into WFS.

  • 2004

    WFS is awarded ground handling franchises at the new Bangkok Airport, Thailand.

  • 2005

    WFS acquires France Handling, the country’s leading provider of cargo handling services to airlines and freight forwarders. WFS is also awarded a cargo handling license at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark.

  • 2006

    LBO France acquires WFS. In the same year, WFS is awarded ground handling licenses at Roissy (CDG) and Orly Airports in Paris.

  • 2008

    WFS acquires a 60% shareholding in British Airways Regional Cargo.

  • 2009

    WFS India launches Ramp and Passenger handling services at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

  • 2012

    WFS wins a landmark contract from the government of Hong Kong to manage and operate the territory’s new Cruise Terminal on the historic site of the old Kai Tak Airport. The terminal has the capacity to welcome 3,000 passengers per hour.

  • 2013

    Africa Flight Services Pty Ltd (AFS) opens new cargo handling warehouse facilities at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport in South Africa.

  • 2013

    WFS signs a long-term partnership with Wings Flight Services in Tanzania to operate a new cargo terminal at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

  • 2013

    A joint venture between WFS and Royal Jordanian Airlines wins an exclusive contract to provide Meet & Assist Services at the new Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) terminal in Amman.

  • 2014

    WFS signs a partnership agreement with Transglobal Cargo Centre in Kenya to take over Transglobal’s fresh produce and cargo terminal at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It now operates under the Africa Flight Services (AFS) brand.

  • 2014

    WFS is awarded the handling concession for a new cargo terminal at Milan’s Malpensa Airport.

  • 2014

    WFS acquires the Swissport cargo business at Copenhagen Airport, reinforcing its position as the largest independent cargo handler in Denmark.

  • 2014

    WFS takes its first step into the Latin America ground handling market by acquiring a controlling shareholding in Orbital Group, one of Brazil’s leading providers of ramp, passenger and airport security services.

  • 2014

    WFS signs a co-operative agreement with ATA Italia to jointly market cargo, ramp and passenger ground handling services in Italy.

  • 2015

    WFS is awarded full ground handling licenses to operate at Spain’s Madrid, Serville, Santiago, Oviedo and Victoria airports.

  • 2015

    WFS is to acquire a 51% shareholding in Fraport Cargo Services (FCS).

  • 1984

    American Airlines founded AMRS

SIZE OF CURRENT BUSINESS

2 b

ANNUAL
SALES

Enabling us to invest in the services and solutions your business needs

31,500

TRAINED
PROFESSIONALS

Highly trained professionals worldwide delivering first class services to your customers

270 +

AIRLINES &
AIRPORTS

More than 270 major airlines and airports choose us as their preferred ground handling partner

158

MAJOR
LOCATIONS

You'll find us at over 158 major airport locations in more than 18 countries on five continents, giving you global coverage

6746 m

TONNES OF
CARGO

Every year we safely and securely handle over 6,746 million tonnes of air cargo for airline customers all over the world

The WFS management team

Learn more about the driving forces and personalities in our international executive team.

learn more

Our Corporate Social Responsibility

Our work aims to inspire individuals to make a positive difference to the lives of others.

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Our network

WFS is a global air cargo logistics leader, and the number 1 global operator in cargo handling, with a global network spanning over 158 locations in more than 18 countries on five continents. We provide best-in-class, safe and secure cargo services, as well as passenger, ramp, baggage services in selected airports. Embedded in our culture is a commitment to continuous improvement. We believe the key to sustainable operational excellence is ensuring that the people at the heart of your operations have the right mindset to drive new ways of working and the development of innovative technologies.