Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), part of SATS, will open a major new multi-purpose cargo terminal at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport in summer 2026, under a 20-year lease. Situated in the CargoPort area, the 25,313m² facility will offer 19,133m² of warehouse space and 4,400m² of temperature-controlled storage, specifically designed for pharmaceuticals and perishables, supporting the region’s status as a global vaccine production hub. The terminal, located adjacent to the runway for efficient cargo handling, will also feature three office blocks, with two dedicated to customers, and 36 dock doors – including five for aircraft pallets.
Developed in partnership with Groupe em2c, Prologis, and Lyon Airport authority, the terminal will consolidate WFS’s operations in Lyon, create over 300 jobs, and “serve as a strategic anchor” for the company’s French and global network. Sustainability is a priority, with BREEAM certification, a photovoltaic roof, LED lighting, and EV charging stations planned. The new terminal aims to boost regional economic growth, streamline logistics, and reduce environmental impact.
Laurent Bernard, Vice-President of WFS France, said: “Aéroport de Lyon DC1 will become our second largest hub in France after Paris CDG for our French operations. Its strategic location and design will allow us to streamline cargo processing, especially for pharma shipments in the world’s leading vaccine-producing region. The new terminal will shorten turnaround times and increase our capacity in one of France’s most important logistics corridors, while reducing our carbon footprint with a modern building that has earned a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ classification, which measures the sustainability of buildings.”
Cédric Fechter, Chairman of the Management Board, Aéroports de Lyon, added: “This project perfectly illustrates VINCI Airports’ strategy for developing cargo activities and reaffirms the key role played by Aéroports de Lyon in the regional logistics chain [and] demonstrates our ability to bring together industry stakeholders around high-performing infrastructure that supports the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region.”
Vincent Sadé, Vice President and Head of Capital Deployment France at Prologis, commented: “The Lyon market is a highly strategic area for our Group. We are developing a facility designed to create lasting, tangible value for the entire region – by supporting job creation, boosting local investment, and incorporating high standards of environmental performance and energy efficiency.”
Yvan Patet, President of em2c Group, concluded: “This project illustrates what is possible when strategic consulting and support, technical execution, supply chain expertise, and local partnerships are aligned. This collaborative approach has now resulted in a solution tailored to the specific requirements of airfreight, regulatory complexity, and sustainable real estate.”
