American Airlines Cargo has renewed its long-term partnership with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a subsidiary of SATS Group, signing a new five-year cargo handling agreement for eight European countries. The extension builds on more than four decades of cooperation between the two companies and provides continuity across a significant part of the airline’s European ground operations.

The agreement reflects the importance of reliable airport handling services to support international freight movements, particularly across transatlantic supply chains. It also strengthens the relationship between the two organisations, which have been working together for more than 40 years, supporting the airline’s cargo activities.

Under the renewed contract, WFS will continue to provide cargo handling operations at key stations within the American Airlines Cargo European network. The countries covered are Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.

Maintaining this operational structure is critical to strengthening its transatlantic presence and linking customers and shipments between Europe, the United States and destinations across its wider global network.

American Airlines Cargo President Greg Schwendinger praised WFS’s contribution to the airline’s European operations and the importance of consistent service standards across the network.

“Our relationship with WFS has been long-standing and has been critical to our operations across Europe,” Schwendinger said.

The renewed agreement will enable both companies to continue to provide the service reliability and international connectivity American Airlines Cargo customers have come to expect, he said.

Greg Schwendinger, President at American Airlines Cargo, and Martin Holme, Chief Commercial Officer
The agreement was signed by Dan Bartel, SVP Chief Procurement Officer, American Airlines and Martin Holme, Chief Commercial Officer, SATS Ltd., at American Airlines’ headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. The signing was witnessed by Greg Schwendinger, President, American Airlines Cargo and Dan Parker, SVP Commercial EMEA, WFS.

Specialised handling is still a key component of the agreement

The extended contract includes, in addition to the conventional freight services, a wide range of services to meet the needs of different types of cargo. WFS will continue to provide general cargo and mail, security screening, customs clearance procedures and documentation support for international shipments.

The scope also includes special services for sensitive and complex shipments. These operations concern temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments, the carriage of live animals and the handling of dangerous goods, which implies the strict compliance with the relevant safety procedures.

WFS also handles e-commerce shipments, meeting the fast-paced processing demands of this growing market segment.

The handling of these various cargo categories is a key element of American Airlines Cargo’s commercial strategy. High-value and time-sensitive shipments require careful handling throughout the journey to ensure goods cross international borders safely and without unnecessary delay or risk of compromise to their integrity.

European road feeder services link the network beyond airport gateways

The partnership also gives American Airlines Cargo and its international customers continued access to WFS’s broad European road feeder services network.

They augment the airport handling with surface transport operations linking key European gateways to regional hubs. The additional links provide more flexibility to freight forwarders and shippers in arranging shipments across the continent.

The network links air cargo operations with road transport, offering additional connectivity to support improved transit times and greater reliability across the European logistics chain.

Dan Parker, SVP Commercial EMEA at WFS, welcomed the extension and said: “The strength of a partnership, which has continued to evolve for more than 40 years.

“Our relationship with American Airlines Cargo is over 40 years old and continues to get stronger,” Parker said.

He said: “This five-year renewal is a reflection of the confidence built between the two organisations and the capability of WFS’s European network to support the airline’s operations.

“Now we can pair our network and cargo-handling expertise with American’s global connectivity to continue to offer reliable service for customers across Europe and beyond. “We are proud to continue this long-standing partnership,” he said.

SATS integration strengthens WFS’s operational capabilities

WFS’s integration into the wider SATS organisation has further expanded its operational capabilities. The group structure provides access to enhanced technological resources and global best practices, strengthening the services delivered across its European stations.

For American Airlines Cargo, this operational framework supports greater visibility and efficiency for freight forwarders and customers shipping directly with the airline.

The coordination of airport handling activities and ground transportation remains a fundamental requirement in air cargo logistics. The five-year extension therefore provides continuity for the airline’s European operations while supporting high standards of operational performance and regulatory compliance.

A partnership extending beyond the European market

The cooperation between American Airlines Cargo and WFS also reaches well beyond Europe. WFS supports the airline’s freight operations at several important international cargo gateways across North America and Asia.

This wider network allows both organisations to maintain a consistent approach to ground handling across different geographical markets and regulatory environments.

The renewed European agreement consequently forms part of a broader international partnership. By securing five additional years of cooperation across eight European countries, American Airlines Cargo and WFS are reinforcing an established operational relationship that supports the carrier’s international cargo network and its connections with customers worldwide.