Swissport has returned to the French market with the launch of a new cargo handling operation in the French sector of EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, creating a dedicated French entity while strengthening its existing presence at the cross-border airport.
The new operation, Swissport Cargo Services France, includes a 3,000 sq m cargo warehouse, comprising 1,000 sq m of French customs space and 2,000 sq m of international handling space for the build-up and breakdown of airline pallets.
Initially, the operation will focus on airline cargo handling. Swissport said the French entity will operate independently from a legal and operational perspective while working closely with its established Basel cargo operation.
Related Post
The new structure enables Swissport to provide cargo services from the French side of EuroAirport while drawing on the experience of its existing Basel team and the company’s global operational standards for safety, quality and service.
Dedicated French cargo operation
Bruno Stefani, Regional Chief Executive for Switzerland, Italy and France at Swissport, said France represented an important aviation market with long-term potential for the company.
“The launch of Swissport Cargo Services France marks a significant step in strengthening our presence in the country,” Stefani said.
He added that Swissport sees opportunities beyond cargo handling to bring its wider airport ground services and hospitality expertise to the French market and develop partnerships with airlines and airports.
Andreas Behnke, Head of Cargo Switzerland, Italy and France and Station Manager Basel-Mulhouse at Swissport, said the new operation would allow the company to build on the expertise of its established Basel cargo team while developing a dedicated presence in France.
“Our focus is on bringing the same commitment to teamwork, safety and operational excellence to our new operation and providing a strong foundation for its future development,” Behnke said.
The development follows Swissport’s continued expansion of its cargo infrastructure at EuroAirport. In 2025, the company added 800 sq m of freight space to its existing Basel operation to accommodate growing import volumes. Swissport said it handled more than 47,000 tonnes of cargo at the site in 2024, with pharmaceuticals representing an important cargo segment.
Strengthening the European cargo network
Swissport said the French operation strengthens its European cargo network, which forms part of a global network of more than 120 cargo centres.
The company handles more than 5 million tonnes of air freight annually, according to Swissport, combining standardised global processes with local operational expertise.
EuroAirport’s location gives the operation access to markets across France, Switzerland and Germany. The airport’s cargo infrastructure includes temperature-controlled facilities and road connections to the A2 and A3 in Switzerland, the A35 in France and the A5 in Germany.
The airport has a distinctive cross-border operating structure, with its site located in France but serving the surrounding tri-national region. Swissport’s existing Basel operation has been serving airlines at EuroAirport since 1994.
The creation of a dedicated French cargo entity gives Swissport a separate operating structure on the French side while maintaining close links with its established Swiss operation.
The move is part of a broader period of international expansion for Swissport. In September, the company announced plans to enter Indonesia through a joint venture with UNEX Aviation Services and to expand into Colombia through the acquisition of Giraldo Hermanos International.
For EuroAirport, the new operation adds to the range of cargo handling capabilities available at the airport and further develops its role as an air freight gateway for the surrounding industrial and pharmaceutical markets.
