Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, has been awarded a handling license, subject to conditions being fulfilled, at Oslo Airport in the latest initiative by airport operator Avinor to support the future growth of Norway’s export and import trade.

Avinor, operator of 43 airports in Norway, says expanding Oslo Airport’s choice of cargo handling providers will increase capacity and competition for airlines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners at Norway’s biggest international airport, and reinforce the airport’s position as a major freight hub in Northern Europe.

For WFS, this latest expansion reaffirms its position as the largest global air cargo handling provider and further extends its operating network. WFS and SATS currently provide cargo handling at over 225 stations in 27 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume.

“This is very good news for Oslo Airport and the cargo community. We have never previously had three cargo handlers at the airport, and a third operator will increase capacity and provide an even better offering for airlines, freight forwarders and cargo owners,” says Eva Beate Lande, Head of Cargo at Avinor.

The move comes as Oslo Airport is experiencing rising demand for cargo services, she added. “A new operator is an important milestone in our cargo strategy and will help strengthen the resilience of the cargo supply chain and facilitate further growth in both Norwegian and international air freight. It highlights Oslo Airport’s current position as an important air freight hub, while laying a solid foundation for the further development of Cargo West.”

WFS expects to play a prominent role in the next phase of Oslo Airport’s growth. The airport at Gardermoen is Northern Europe’s largest full freighter hub. It serves as a key departure point for time-critical and perishable cargo, such as Norwegian seafood, and is experiencing growing demand for cargo services.

John Batten, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Services Europe, Middle East, and Africa at WFS, said: “We thank Avinor for this significant opportunity to expand the WFS and SATS network in Norway and, most importantly, to be able to support the continued cargo growth of Oslo Airport and its customers. Norway is an exciting market for air cargo. We look forward to working with Avinor and the airport community to develop a competitive and customer-focused service offering, which will be linked to SATS’ global air cargo network across 27 countries.”