Swissport, the world’s leading aviation services provider, has opened a strategic second-line cargo facility at Amsterdam Schiphol, significantly expanding its capacity and reinforcing its position as Europe’s air-cargo partner of choice in the Golden Triangle.
The new Terminal 12 (T12) adds 5,000 m² of handling space, bringing Swissport’s total cargo footprint at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to 40,000 m² and supporting the growth of European cargo volumes. From January 2026, this capacity will increase by a further 3,800 m², expanding Swissport’s total footprint at Schiphol to 43,800 m². The terminal began full operations in early October and now operates 24/7 to meet rising import cargo demand while delivering enhanced reliability, capacity, and innovation for airlines and freight forwarders.
“At Swissport, our goal is to be the most trusted and innovative air cargo partner worldwide,” said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India & Global Cargo Chair, Swissport. “Expanding capacity at strategic hubs like Schiphol is central to our global strategy — enabling us to meet growing demand, drive operational excellence, and deliver sustainable, cutting-edge solutions for airlines and customers around the world. Recent expansions in Liège, Manchester, as well as new partnerships in JFK, and China, further strengthen Swissport’s integrated global network and enhance connectivity globally.“
“This expansion underscores our long-term commitment to the Amsterdam Schiphol cargo community,” said Jeroen Giling, Managing Director Cargo, Swissport Netherlands. “Terminal 12 strengthens our import handling capabilities and enables us to manage growing cargo volumes safely and efficiently, easing pressure on our existing warehouses and ensuring greater reliability for our customers.”
OPTIMIZED OPERATIONS AND ENHANCED EFFICIENCY
Terminal 12 will primarily handle import shipments, providing additional storage and processing capacity to further enhance efficiency at Swissport’s first-line warehouses. This strategic allocation of cargo flows will contribute to more efficient capacity utilization across the entire Swissport Schiphol operation, reducing truck waiting times and optimizing warehouse workflow.
The new facility builds on Swissport’s earlier investments at Schiphol in 2024 and 2025, which included the addition of three loading bridges for pallets and containers (now totaling four), over 140 caster deck positions inside the existing warehouse, and 150 caster deck positions outside. These enhancements, together with three dedicated fast lanes for expedited transport from aircraft to delivery trucks, have helped triple the facility’s loading capacity and significantly improve overall delivery times.
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS LEADERSHIP
T12 is designed to align with Swissport’s sustainability agenda at Schiphol, including the pioneering “Milk Run” consolidation programme. Launched in 2015, the Milk Run combines shipments from multiple freight forwarders into single, optimised truck runs — reducing road traffic, cutting emissions and improving overall logistics efficiency within the airport cargo ecosystem. Swissport plans to connect Terminal 12 to the Milk Run as soon as possible, further enhancing environmental and operational performance.
STRATEGIC EUROPEAN HUB
The addition of Terminal 12 reinforces Swissport’s strategic footprint in the heart of Europe’s logistic axis. Located within the region commonly referred to as the “Golden Triangle” of Amsterdam-Paris-Frankfurt, Swissport’s Schiphol operation draws on more than seven decades of cargo-handling expertise since 1952. With three fully operational cargo terminals, Swissport now handles a comprehensive freight portfolio, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, and high-value goods.
Supported by more than 300 dedicated cargo professionals across its Schiphol operations, the expanded facilities enable Swissport to meet the growing demands of airline customers while maintaining the flexibility and reliability that has defined its operations at this key European hub.
With Terminal 12, Swissport further strengthens its global cargo network, reinforcing its role as the trusted, innovative, and reliable partner for airlines and freight forwarders across Europe and beyond.
