Swissport, the world’s leading aviation services provider, has strengthened its African cargo network with the opening of a new temperature-controlled cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport, increasing cold chain capacity for East Africa’s growing perishables export market while reinforcing Swissport’s position as a leading provider of specialist cargo handling across Africa.
The new facility enhances cargo handling capacity for exporters, airlines, and freight forwarders by providing modern cold chain infrastructure that protects the quality and integrity of temperature-sensitive shipments, improves operational efficiency, and expands access to global markets.
“This facility reflects our long-term commitment to Tanzania and reinforces Swissport’s cargo network in one of East Africa’s most important export regions,” said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair. “As demand for perishables and other temperature-sensitive shipments continues to grow across Africa, customers increasingly value partners that combine local expertise with consistent global operating standards. This facility forms part of our broader strategy to invest in modern cargo infrastructure across Africa, supporting the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive shipments.”
Already operational, the new 630 m² facility has been developed to meet growing demand from exporters across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, one of East Africa’s leading horticultural production regions. It also addresses longstanding capacity constraints and provides a modern replacement for the airport’s previous cargo facility, which had served the industry since 1998.
The facility features four temperature-controlled chillers and one freezer, supporting storage temperatures from +2°C to +25°C, alongside dedicated frozen storage between -10°C and -20°C. Designed to handle up to 13,000 tons of cargo annually, the facility can accommodate up to 36 built-up cargo pallets, equivalent to approximately 180 tons of cargo. It significantly enhances Swissport’s ability to handle perishable exports such as flowers, fresh produce, seafood, meat, and other temperature-sensitive products, while providing additional capability for pharmaceutical shipments and other temperature-sensitive cargo.
In addition to modern cold storage, the facility incorporates advanced digital technologies, including an Integrated Weighing System connected to Swissport’s cargo management platform, mobile cargo scanning, and automated cargo tracking capabilities. These technologies improve shipment visibility, support cargo traceability, and provide customers with faster cargo processing.
The Kilimanjaro cargo operation also reflects Swissport’s commitment to sustainable operations, using approximately 90 percent electric ground support equipment, incorporating energy-efficient LED lighting, and is certified to ISO 14001 environmental management standards.
This investment forms part of Swissport’s broader strategy to expand specialised cargo infrastructure at key air cargo gateways across Africa. In East Africa, the Kilimanjaro facility complements Swissport’s established cargo operations in Dar es Salaam and forms part of a broader African cargo network that includes key gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Accra. Together with its network of more than 120 cargo centres worldwide, Swissport provides airlines and freight forwarders with consistent handling standards, specialist expertise, and integrated cargo services across international trade lanes.
In Tanzania, Swissport provides a full range of cargo handling services, including general cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, express freight, e-commerce shipments, and specialist cargo handling.
As the world’s leading provider of aviation services, Swissport continues to invest in modern cargo infrastructure across its global network, combining global scale, standardised operating procedures, digital capabilities, and local expertise to support its customers with safe, efficient, and consistent cargo handling.
