Both companies have been operational in JFK for a good half-century, yet have never before worked together – until now. On 01SEP25, the recently agreed 5-year handling contract came into effect. Korean Air’s Cargo Building 9 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), inaugurated 25 years ago, is now under full management of Swissport, including sublease responsibilities. Swissport has ambitious plans to modernize the 232,500 ft² (70,866m²) office and warehouse facility. It is investing in automation, Bionatur biodegradable products, and eco-friendly infrastructure upgrades such as a new ETV system, new temperature-controlled storage for specialized cargo, as well as new electric GSE along with a strong and reliable charging infrastructure. “Swissport will be the first handler at JFK to operate an all-electric fleet for all freighter operations from warehouse to ramp,” the release states. Once completed, the facility will be able to handle 295,000 tons per annum compared to today’s 200,000 tons. “Dedicated Korean Air Cargo operations will begin with a team of around 80 staff, eventually growing to 390+ employees once Cargo Building 9 reaches full capacity,” it says.
Nelson Camacho, CEO of Swissport North America and Canada, announced: “We are delighted to partner with Korean Air Cargo on this historic contract, marking our first large-scale collaboration at a single location. […] Swissport is strongly committed to raising and further fine-tuning the standard of cargo handling at New York JFK airport and is therefore investing significantly […] while also pursuing IATA CEIV and GDP certifications. It is this perfect blend of automation and our professional team’s track-record expertise that ensures efficient, high-quality operations and the best customer service.”
Jaedong Eum, Executive Vice President and Head of the Cargo Business Division at Korean Air, stated: “Swissport has demonstrated that it shares our values of professionalism, excellence and sustainability, and our vision for the future of our JFK hub. […] Together with Swissport, we will establish a blueprint at JFK for a highly successful Cargo Path Forward over the coming years.”
Ajay Barolia, Executive Vice President Cargo Swissport North America, concluded: “Our operational strategy mirrors Korean Air Cargo’s core values and is grounded in three key pillars: Safety, Consistent Service Quality, and Full Transparency. [… Our] investments will future-proof Cargo Building 9 and ensure it is ready to meet both current demand and future growth, reinforcing Swissport’s commitment to safe, reliable, and modern cargo handling.”
