Our global freight forwarding network keeps our customers freight moving across the world.

WFS secures cargo handling license at Oslo Airport

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has been awarded a cargo handling license at Oslo Airport, expanding parent company SATS' global network to Norway for the first time. Currently, Menzies and Scan GSE carry out ground handling operations at Oslo Airport. Avinor, which operates 43 airports in Norway - including Oslo, said expanding Oslo Airport's choice of cargo handling providers will increase capacity and competition for airlines, freight forwarders, and cargo owners and reinforce the airport's position as Northern Europe's largest full freighter hub. "This is very good news for Oslo Airport and the cargo community. We have never previously had three cargo handlers at the airport, and a third operator will increase capacity, and provide an even better offering for airlines, freight forwarders and cargo owners," said Eva Beate Lande, head of cargo at Avinor. The move comes as Oslo Airport is experiencing rising demand for cargo services, she added. "A new operator is an important milestone in our cargo strategy and will help strengthen the resilience of the cargo supply chain and facilitate further growth in both Norwegian and international air freight. "It highlights Oslo Airport's current position as an important air freight hub, while laying a solid foundation for the further development of Cargo West." For WFS, this contract further extends its operating network. WFS and SATS currently provide cargo handling at over 225 stations in 27 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume. WFS expects to play a prominent role in the next phase of Oslo Airport's growth. The airport serves as a key departure point for time-critical and perishable cargo, such as Norwegian seafood, and is experiencing growing demand for cargo services. John Batten, chief executive, Gateway Services Europe, Middle East, and Africa at WFS, said: "We thank Avinor for this significant opportunity to expand the WFS and SATS network in Norway and, most importantly, to be able to support the continued cargo growth of Oslo Airport and its customers. "Norway is an exciting market for air cargo. We look forward to working with Avinor and the airport community to develop a competitive and customer-focussed service offering, which will be linked to SATS' global air cargo network across 27 countries."

LATAM Cargo is first Americas airline to integrate IATA's DG AutoCheck

LATAM Cargo has become the first airline in the Americas to integrate IATA's DG AutoCheck solution for dangerous goods management directly into its core system to eliminate manual processes, shorten cargo acceptance times and ultimately improve safety. Through this integration, the system validates information in real time and automatically notifies customers of any discrepancy. This advance visibility is a key commercial advantage, as it enables inconsistencies to be corrected early and helps prevent delays to the planned shipping schedule, said LATAM Cargo. The digital tool automatically verifies that the Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) fully complies with IATA regulations. It also guides cargo acceptance agents through an interactive checklist, ensuring a standardized physical inspection of packaging and classification, reducing the risk of omissions and optimizing specialists' review time. Reusing this validated data also streamlines the automated creation of the Notification to Captain (NOTOC). By simplifying these administrative tasks, staff at the acceptance counter can focus on providing more personalized commercial support in critical service situations, while ensuring full digital traceability for every shipment and robust support for regulatory audits, stressed LATAM Cargo. Daniel Leng, vice president of operations at LATAM Cargo, said: "Being the first airline in the Americas to achieve this integration demonstrates our commitment to driving digitalization for our customers' benefit. We are not only prioritizing safety; we are also simplifying a complex process to give them valuable time back through a far more efficient operation for everyone." This solution was developed through close collaboration among the airline, IATA and Wipro. The technical team integrated the tool into Croamis, the company's core system. "LATAM Cargo's integration of DG AutoCheck into its core operational systems marks an important milestone in the digital transformation of dangerous goods handling," said Frederic Leger, IATA's senior vice president of products and services. "By enabling the seamless flow of validated data in compliance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and automating key processes, it enhances safety, operational efficiency and the customer experience by reducing acceptance rejections. "The integration with Croamis streamlines compliance verification, reduces manual processing and improves critical safety information, including the automated creation of the NOTOC. "This is a strong example of industry collaboration delivering tangible benefits for airlines, customers and the safe transport of dangerous goods." Following a successful launch at the Miami station, adoption of the technology will continue gradually across the network. Given the range of operating environments and cultures, the phased rollout allows the solution to be adapted to each location, ensuring consistent, robust value at every station brought online.

SME Freight Forwarders: Challenges, opportunities and advice

The freight forwarding industry is changing fast, with consolidation, growing competition from major carriers and integrators, and a volatile geopolitical landscape reshaping the market. In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, we speak to Dan March, CEO of WCAworld, about what these changes mean for small and medium-sized forwarders. Are SMEs being squeezed out by industry consolidation, or does their size give them an advantage when it comes to agility, flexibility and personalised service? Dan also shares his perspective on the biggest challenges facing independent forwarders, the opportunities emerging from today's disruption, and how the sector could evolve over the next decade, all in just 20 minutes.