Logistics to get boost with Swissport Pharma Center at Brussels airport

July 11, 2019: Pharma logistics is expected to get a shot in the arm when the Swissport Pharma Center is completed by 2021 in a phased approach. Swissport is investing several million euros in developing approximately 3,620 sqm of end-to-end facilities in the new Swissport Pharma Center.

To be constructed by the Brussels Airport Company, the building will consist of a 25,000 square metre advanced warehouse, a material handling system, four-storey office building and approximately 3,620 sqm of end-to-end facilities. The construction began in January 2019, and will take about two years to complete, following a phased approach.

The brand new Swissport Pharma Center will feature an increased surface area for pharmaceutical products. Ambient pharma space (+15° to +25°C) will more than triple from 800 sqm to 2,620 sqm. Additionally, a 1,000 sqm cooling facility (+2° to +8°C) will be available.

“Our new warehouse and the state-of-the-art Swissport Pharma Center will be the benchmark for modern and efficient air cargo and pharma logistics. The investment underlines our commitment to the Belgian market. In parallel we are working to improve the profitability of our Belgian business activities in order to create long-term job security for our staff,” said Luzius Wirth, executive vice president Europe, Middle-East & Africa (EMEA) for Swissport.

The 25,000 square metre warehouse will be equipped with an automated Material Handling System (MHS). Landside it will feature 50 truck loading bays in a closed perimeter and a highly efficient acceptance zone. Airside there will be “speed gates”, enabling time efficient logistics processes from the warehouse into the aircraft cargo hold.

Swissport Belgium employs nearly 2,000 employees, handles more than 550,000 tons of air cargo and its ground services division serves approximately 7.5 million passengers per year.