Atlas Air Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., a leading global provider of outsourced aviation logistics, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SATS Limited and Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) to expand their global cooperation and to leverage each other’s networks.
The MoU aims to build on the strong working relationships between SATS, WFS and Atlas Air, particularly in North America where WFS provides handling for the airline at eight major airport gateways: Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, New York JFK, and Seattle. In addition, the agreement will also expand cooperation in Singapore, the headquarters of the SATS Group, as well as in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This includes strengthening relationships for warehouse services, freighter ramp handling, and crew transport solutions.
The MoU is the first of its kind between Atlas Air, which operates the world’s largest fleet of B747 freighters and SATS, one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services. It expands the relationship between the partners to work together on a fully integrated ground and cargo handling model to address the growing demands of e-commerce as well as network solutions to facilitate growth in air cargo volumes, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, and other high value shipments. The partners will also collaborate on the development of digital and automation solutions to provide expanded supply chain visibility and traceability of cargo throughout the combined networks.
Reflecting their shared commitments, Atlas Air, SATS and WFS have also pledged to achieve further collaboration on major international airfreight trade lanes and cooperate on green and low-carbon initiatives which minimize the environmental impact of air cargo.
“This expanded partnership with SATS and WFS is a testament to our shared vision for the future of air cargo,” said Martin Drew, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “By combining SATS and WFS’ extensive ground handling expertise with Atlas Air’s global network and commitment to innovation, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and efficiency.”
Drew added, “This collaboration will deliver significant benefits to our customers by enhancing visibility, service quality, and reliability. It will also drive meaningful progress across the industry by promoting sustainability and spearheading digital transformation. We are confident this partnership will provide exceptional value and further strengthen our position as a global leader in the air cargo market.”
“We are pleased to have Atlas Air partner with SATS and WFS as we work together to drive efficiencies in the air cargo supply chain to better serve our customers,” said Kerry Mok, SATS President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our worldwide network, combined with Atlas Air’s fleet of freighters and global presence, offers immense opportunities to develop value-added and specialized services that deliver speed and traceability to enhance our customers’ competitiveness.”
SATS and WFS handle over 237,800 tonnes of air freight annually for Atlas Air at these locations, carried onboard some 5,300 freighter flights.
