Swissport International has signed a binding agreement to acquire Swiftair Maroc, marking its formal entry into Morocco’s growing air cargo market and strengthening its strategic presence across Africa.
The acquisition gives Swissport access to operations at Mohammed V International Airport, Morocco’s primary air freight gateway, which handles nearly 95 percent of the country’s total air cargo volumes. The move aligns with Swissport’s broader strategy to expand its global cargo handling business in high-growth logistics markets.
Swiftair Maroc operates a 3,700-square-metre airside cargo warehouse equipped with temperature-controlled infrastructure, including dedicated cold rooms for pharmaceutical shipments and perishable goods. The facility is expected to strengthen Swissport’s capabilities in handling specialised cargo segments such as healthcare logistics, fresh produce, and time-sensitive exports.
Warwick Brady, President and CEO of Swissport International, described Morocco as a fast-growing logistics and trade hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He noted that the acquisition supports the company’s long-term objective of accelerating growth in its global cargo operations while enhancing service capabilities for international customers.
Industry observers view the acquisition as strategically timed, given Morocco’s rising importance in global supply chains. The country has seen steady growth in export-driven industries such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, and textiles. Casablanca, in particular, has emerged as a critical logistics gateway for North and West Africa, supported by increasing trade flows and investment in airport infrastructure.
The deal also strengthens Swissport’s existing footprint in Morocco. Through its local operations, the company already provides ground handling services at 16 airports across the country, along with executive aviation services in Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Tangier. Swissport also operates airport lounges under its Aspire brand at multiple Moroccan airports.
For Swiftair, the transaction is part of a broader corporate strategy to streamline operations and focus on core business activities. Salvador Moreno, Founder and CEO of Swiftair, said the company was confident Swissport would support the next phase of growth for Swiftair Maroc while maintaining strong collaboration between the two businesses.
The acquisition reflects a wider trend of global aviation and logistics companies investing in specialised cargo infrastructure and emerging regional hubs to meet growing demand for efficient, temperature-sensitive, and cross-border supply chain solutions. As air cargo volumes continue to evolve globally, Morocco’s strategic location and expanding export economy are likely to attract further international logistics investment in the coming years.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Noida International Airport is set to begin dedicated cargo operations on June 17, marking a significant milestone in the development of North India's newest aviation and logistics hub. The first cargo flight is scheduled to depart two days after the airport commences commercial passenger services on June 15. Airport officials said the launch of cargo services will strengthen the airport's role as a multimodal logistics gateway for the National Capital Region (NCR), western Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring industrial clusters. The airport has been designed to handle both passenger and freight traffic from the start of commercial operations, with cargo expected to become a key growth segment. The initial cargo movement is expected to support industries across electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, perishables and e-commerce, sectors that rely heavily on time-sensitive transportation. Logistics stakeholders view the airport as an additional capacity source for the region's air freight market, which has traditionally depended on Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Located in Jewar, the airport is positioned near major industrial and manufacturing zones across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Its proximity to the Yamuna Expressway and upcoming logistics developments is expected to improve cargo connectivity between production centres and international markets. Industry observers believe the addition of a new air cargo gateway could help reduce pressure on existing freight infrastructure in the NCR while creating new opportunities for freight forwarders, express operators and supply chain service providers. The airport's long-term development plans include expanding cargo handling capacity as freight volumes increase. Commercial operations at Noida International Airport will begin on June 15, with domestic passenger services operated by airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air. Cargo flights are expected to follow shortly thereafter, supporting the airport's ambition to establish itself as an integrated passenger and freight transportation hub. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Freightos has joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Digitalization Leadership Charter, reinforcing industry efforts to accelerate digital transformation across the global air cargo sector. The move highlights growing momentum behind initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, standardisation and data exchange throughout the air freight ecosystem. The IATA Digitalization Leadership Charter was launched to encourage industry stakeholders to adopt common digital standards and collaborate on modernising cargo operations. The initiative focuses on five core priorities: interoperability and data standards, cybersecurity and digital resilience, paperless cargo processes, innovation and automation, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Central to the charter is the promotion of IATA’s ONE Record standard, designed to facilitate seamless and efficient data sharing across the supply chain. By becoming a signatory, Freightos joins a growing network of airlines, technology providers and logistics stakeholders committed to creating a more connected and efficient cargo ecosystem. The company said the initiative aligns with its long-standing focus on enabling digital freight procurement, booking and payment processes through interoperable platforms that connect carriers, freight forwarders and shippers. Industry leaders view digitalisation as critical to addressing longstanding inefficiencies in air cargo, including fragmented data flows, manual documentation and limited visibility across supply chains. The adoption of shared standards is expected to reduce integration challenges, improve operational efficiency and support faster, more reliable cargo movement. Freightos believes broader industry alignment around digital connectivity can help create a more agile and resilient freight network capable of responding to evolving market demands. IATA has repeatedly emphasised that meaningful digital transformation requires collaboration across the entire cargo community. The association’s charter seeks to establish a common framework for innovation while encouraging organisations to invest in technologies that support transparency, sustainability and operational excellence. Freightos’ participation is expected to contribute to these efforts by leveraging its extensive digital marketplace and booking infrastructure, which already facilitates large-scale interactions between airlines and freight forwarders worldwide. The announcement comes at a time when air cargo stakeholders are increasingly prioritising automation, real-time data exchange and digital documentation to enhance customer experience and improve supply chain performance. As global trade networks continue to evolve, initiatives such as the IATA Digitalization Leadership Charter are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air freight operations. With Freightos now part of the initiative, industry observers see another significant step toward achieving a fully connected, data-driven and digitally enabled air cargo ecosystem capable of supporting the next generation of global logistics. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Andhra Pradesh is preparing for a major expansion of its aviation ecosystem with plans to develop nine new airports and attract more than $1 billion in investments, a move expected to significantly strengthen the state’s logistics, cargo handling, and regional connectivity capabilities. The initiative forms a key pillar of the state’s newly approved Aviation Policy 2026–31, which aims to position Andhra Pradesh as a leading aviation and aerospace hub in India. The policy envisions a network of airports and waterdromes that will improve passenger mobility while creating new opportunities for trade, manufacturing, and multimodal logistics. According to the state government’s roadmap, new airports are proposed at Kuppam, Dagadarthi, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tuni-Annavaram, Ongole, Palasa, and Amaravati. The flagship greenfield international airport near Amaravati is expected to play a strategic role in connecting the state capital region with global markets and investment corridors. For the logistics sector, the most significant aspect of the policy is its focus on air cargo and aerospace infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh aims to increase annual air cargo handling capacity from around 6,240 metric tonnes to over 427,000 metric tonnes by 2035, reflecting the state’s ambition to emerge as a major gateway for high-value and time-sensitive cargo. Passenger handling capacity is also targeted to grow nearly fivefold during the same period. The aviation expansion complements Andhra Pradesh’s broader infrastructure strategy, which includes the development of new ports, industrial corridors, and multimodal transport links. Together, these projects are expected to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce transit times, and support export-oriented industries across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, food processing, and manufacturing. The policy also seeks to attract investments in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities and aerospace manufacturing, creating a more integrated aviation value chain within the state. Incentives including subsidies, stamp duty reimbursements, viability gap funding, and skill development support are expected to encourage private sector participation. With airport access planned within a 150-kilometre radius across the state and the addition of 10 proposed waterdromes, Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself to become one of India’s most connected transportation and logistics hubs, supporting economic growth and enhancing supply chain resilience across southern India. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!