Swissport has launched its first dedicated perishables centre in the UK at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with Scan Global Logistics becoming the first customer to operate from the site.
The new facility strengthens the company’s global cool-chain network and supports growing demand for fresh Atlantic salmon.
The 2,694sq m site features temperature-controlled handling areas, operates 24 hours and is designed to handle up to 30,000 tonnes per year. The site also includes a dedicated Border Inspection Post (BIP), enabling immediate airside inspection and clearance of imported goods giving faster release times, reduced dwell periods and helping to protect product integrity.
Swissport will install an automated screening solution in the first quarter of 2026 that allows dense, palletised seafood shipments to be screened without breakdown. Processing fully built units in a single pass, the system reduces handling steps, shortens queue times and allows a more predictable, consistent flow.
Global head of perishables at Scan Global Logistics, Colin Wells, said: “With this technology, we can move perishables through Heathrow more efficiently and with far greater predictability. It improves processing times while maintaining the highest standards of quality and freshness and creates a unique and highly reliable solution for which is a high market demand.”
Scan Global regional chief executive for North Europe, Steen Søgaard, added: “Producers of temperature-sensitive goods depend on predictable capacity and controlled handling, especially as volumes continue to rise. This setup provides a stable platform that supports both daily operations and long-term growth. Swissport’s global cool-chain expertise and operational scale make them a strong partner for the UK market.”
Swissport chief operating officer cargo UK&I, Joe Bellfield, said: “Heathrow is a critical gateway for global seafood flows, and perishables require absolute precision. By bringing our proven cool-chain processes, specialised infrastructure and trained teams to Heathrow Airport, we are strengthening the reliability and predictability that exporters depend on.”
London Heathrow plays a central role in the global seafood supply chain, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of salmon transiting the airport each year, including Scottish production. As direct uplift from origin becomes increasingly constrained, specialised hub operations with predictable throughput are becoming essential for exporters across Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the UK, says Swissport.
The Heathrow perishables centre joins Swissport’s global network of cargo hubs for temperature-sensitive and time-critical goods, It operates 117 cargo centres worldwide, handling around 5 million tonnes of freight annually.
