Korean Air has signed a five-year contract with Swissport to operate its freight facility at Cargo Building 9 at New York JFK.

The handler will take on full management and sublease responsibilities for the terminal and will extensively modernize Korean Air Cargo’s 232,500 square-foot freight facility. Investment will include automation and infrastructure upgrades including an ETV system overhaul and new temperature-controlled storage , and increasing the site’s annual throughput capacity from 200,000 to 295,500 tons. Dedicated Korean Air Cargo operations will begin with a team of around 80 staff, eventually growing to over 390 employees once Cargo Building 9 reaches full capacity.

Swissport is investing in new electric GSE and working closely with the Port Authority to equip the building with a strong and reliable charging infrastructure, making Swissport the first handler at JFK to operate an all-electric fleet for all freighter operations from warehouse to ramp. Swissport is also introducing Bionatur biodegradable products across North America to reduce plastic waste in day-to-day cargo operations, including packaging and handling.

Chief executive of Swissport North America and Canada, Nelson Camacho, said: “We are delighted to partner with Korean Air Cargo on this historic contract, marking our first large-scale collaboration at a single location. Swissport is strongly committed to raising and further fine-tuning the standard of cargo handling at New York JFK airport and is therefore investing significantly in establishing high-tech quality automation, transparent systems and enhanced safety measures, while also pursuing IATA CEIV and GDP certifications.

Executive vice president and head of the cargo business division at Korean Air, Jaedong Eum, added. “Air Cargo ground quality comes along with operational excellence beyond efficiency.  And continuous investment in state-of-the-art equipment and training is crucial for successful and sustainable operations. Together with Swissport, we will establish a blueprint at JFK for a highly successful Cargo Path Forward over the coming years.”