This is probably a record in the cargo handling sector: leading to profitability in just five months is a strong achievement. The CHI Cargo Group, which has owned 74.9% of Munich Airport’s handling subsidiary Cargogate since 01JAN25, has achieved this. Hence, the targets standing in a business plan stretching until mid-2026 were fully achieved a whole year earlier than planned.
And the good news is that no jobs were axed. “We committed to this when we took over Cargogate,” emphasizes Kai Domscheit, CEO of the CHI Cargo Group. And Dominik Mißkampf, Managing Director of the cargo handling agent, adds:“We’re proud that we have improved operational and economic performance in a short period of time. The development of Cargogate is further proof for our strong management approach in new terrains and strengthens us for new ventures.”
But how was it possible to achieve the financial turnaround in this short period of time and present a positive result for Q1? “We eliminated unnecessary costs immediately.” says Domscheit, citing one reason. Another is the introduction of an expanded product portfolio that includes value-added services such as trucking, customs, and forwarding solutions. In addition, the CHI Cargo Group’s own IT landscape will be installed at the Munich branch to streamline all data processes to enhance administrative and operational workflows.
Last but not least, experience also plays a key role in the turnaround of the cargo service provider. For example, shortly after CHI had taken over the handling subsidiary of Nuremberg Airport in summer 2023, the unit became profitable. Some of the innovations introduced there were also transferred to Munich-based Cargogate following its integration into the CHI Cargo Group. Another success factor that should not be underestimated is that the family-run company “acts according to the principles of a medium-sized business,” says Domscheit. This aspect is also emphasized in a company press release: „The Cargogate partnership blends the strengths of a globally connected airport operator with the agility and flexibility of a family-owned logistics company.”
The CHI Cargo Group, which has its headquarters at Frankfurt Airport, has become the majority owner of Munich Airport subsidiary Cargogate at the beginning of this year. The group employs roughly 1,000 people and runs – beside Frankfurt and Munich – branches at Hamburg, Nuremberg and Amsterdam airports. “Additional stations are to be added soon. We are looking at various places within the EU, for example in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland and other opportunities in Eastern Europe,” indicates Domscheit. The fact that well-known airlines and freight forwarders are already CHI customers, such as Emirates, Cargolux, Qatar Cargo and Turkish Cargo, should help spurring the planned expansion. In addition, there are logistics companies such as Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel and Maersk and integrators such as FedEx that rely on CHI’s handling services as well. Airport bosses will certainly be pleased to hear those brand names when considering to partner with CHI.
