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Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has initiated a project to expand and automate its perishables centre at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), in partnership with Lödige Industries, to increase storage capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen its handling capabilities for temperature-sensitive shipments. The project reflects the growing importance of automated infrastructure in maintaining efficient and reliable cold-chain logistics.
The dedicated cargo business of the Air France-KLM Group is implementing an elevating transfer vehicle (ETV) system to enable automated, multi-level storage and retrieval of unit load devices (ULDs) and pallets. The solution is designed to maximise the use of available building space while accommodating future growth in cargo volumes.
By automating storage and retrieval operations, the system is expected to reduce manual handling, streamline internal cargo movements and improve the utilisation of existing storage capacity. It will also support consistent handling processes within dedicated temperature-controlled areas, which are critical for preserving the quality and integrity of perishable goods throughout their journey through the cargo facility.
“Expanding our temperature-controlled cargo capabilities at Paris-Charles de Gaulle is an important step in strengthening our cold-chain operations. The new automated storage solution will enable us to handle growing volumes more efficiently and further enhance the cargo handling flow for temperature-sensitive shipments at CDG,” the project team at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo said.
The installation will feature a 10-foot-wide edge ETV serving 58 storage decks, of which 17 will be located within temperature-controlled areas. This configuration will allow the facility to combine high-density storage with dedicated temperature-managed space, supporting the operational requirements of perishable cargo.
Lödige Machine Warburg and Lödige Machine Romania are supplying the system, which is scheduled to become operational at the end of September 2027. The installation is expected to provide a scalable foundation for further automation as cargo volumes and cold-chain requirements evolve.
Commenting on the project, Björn Ussat, Director Airport Logistic Solutions at Lödige Industries, said: “Cold-chain logistics place particularly high demands on reliability, efficient use of space and consistent handling processes. This project demonstrates how automation can help cargo operators optimise storage capacity and internal material flows while supporting the stringent handling requirements of temperature-sensitive shipments. We are delighted to support Air France KLM Martinair Cargo with an efficient and scalable solution that also provides a solid basis for future expansion of automated storage processes at Paris-Charles de Gaulle,”
The investment will reinforce Paris-CDG's role in the group's cargo operations by improving how temperature-sensitive shipments are stored and transferred within the facility. Automated storage systems can help cargo operators manage space constraints, reduce unnecessary handling and establish more predictable internal workflows.
For Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, the project forms part of the broader effort to strengthen specialised cargo-handling capabilities as supply chains increasingly demand reliable infrastructure for perishable goods. Efficient cold-chain operations are particularly important for shipments such as fresh produce, flowers and other temperature-sensitive commodities, where handling conditions and transit efficiency can influence product quality.
As air cargo facilities face growing pressure to improve throughput without proportionate increases in their physical footprint, automation offers a way to enhance capacity and operational consistency. The Paris-CDG project combines these objectives with dedicated temperature-controlled storage, positioning the facility to accommodate future demand while maintaining the handling standards required for perishables.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has introduced short-term Warehousing Solution (STW) at its BLR Logistics Park, offering freight forwarders and shippers flexible storage for urgent, last-minute and temporary cargo requirements. Designed for both general and temperature-controlled cargo, the solution enables customers to access storage on demand, with rental periods starting from just one day and no long-term lease requirements. Within its first year of operations, the AISATS BLR Logistics Park witnessed strong market traction and is on track to achieve full occupancy, underpinned by a compelling total cost of ownership proposition for customers. Spread across eight acres, the integrated facility brings together Grade A warehousing, a customs-bonded warehouse, a consolidation centre, cold storage, office spaces and a suite of value-added logistics services within a single ecosystem. In addition to storage, customers can access cargo inter-shuttle services, packing and labelling support, dedicated manpower, forklift service and other cargo facilitation services, making the Logistics Park a one-stop solution for their end-to-end warehousing and logistics requirements. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and with seamless access to NH44, the facility helps significantly reduce transit times and transportation costs by eliminating the need to move cargo to off-airport warehouses located 40-50 kilometres away. The facility has attracted leading multinational logistics companies, including DHL, DSV, FedEx, Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA Logistics etc. which have established operations at the Logistics Park. The new STW extends these capabilities to mid-sized and smaller freight forwarders, shippers and businesses with occasional storage requirements. Instead of leasing dedicated warehouse space for extended periods, customers can access the facility on a short-term basis, according to their flexible needs. The solution is particularly relevant during peak cargo periods such as Diwali, Christmas and New Year, as well as for project cargo and oversized or specialised consignments. Recently STW solution was used to store odd-sized medical equipment that required special care, and special chemicals and pharmaceutical ingredients at its common user cold storage facility. Commenting on the development, Salim Chaudhary, Chief Operations Officer, AISATS, said, “The AISATS BLR Logistics Park was developed to address Bengaluru’s evolving air cargo and logistics requirements through world-class, integrated infrastructure. The response from the market has been extremely encouraging, with occupancy already reaching 70%, reflecting the strong value proposition and cost efficiencies the facility offers. As cargo volumes grow, we are witnessing increasing demand for flexible storage solutions, particularly for urgent, short-duration and specialised cargo requirements. Our Short-term Warehousing Solution has been introduced to address this need, enabling freight forwarders and shippers to access premium warehousing infrastructure on demand, without the constraints of long-term commitments.” With demand being driven by high-value sectors including electronics, semiconductors, engineering goods, aerospace and pharmaceuticals, the AISATS BLR Logistics Park is well-positioned to play a critical role in supporting the region’s evolving supply chain and logistics requirements. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) recorded a 2.5% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase in cargo throughput to 174,773 Metric Tonnes (MT) in September 2026, with combined airfreight and airmail volumes registering growth despite a decline in aircraft movements. However, aircraft movements at the German cargo hub fell 3.5% YoY to 40,539 take-offs and landings during the month. Accumulated Maximum Take-Off Weights (MTOWs) also contracted by 1.2% to approximately 2.5 MMT. The September cargo performance highlights continued growth in freight volumes even as overall aircraft activity declined, reflecting differing trends across cargo throughput and airport movements. The latest figures form part of Fraport’s monthly traffic report, which tracks cargo and operational performance at Frankfurt Airport alongside developments across its international airport portfolio.
FedEx has secured IATA CEIV Pharma certification for its Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa hub at Dubai World Central (DWC), UAE, strengthening its capabilities for handling pharmaceutical and other temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. The certification follows a rigorous assessment against more than 280 criteria, covering operational processes, storage facilities, equipment, quality management systems and regulatory compliance. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CEIV Pharma programme is designed to assess and enhance capabilities for the safe and compliant handling of time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo. Spread across 57,000 square metres, the FedEx DWC hub is equipped with advanced automation, high-speed security screening and dedicated dangerous goods handling facilities. It also features a 170-square-metre temperature-controlled storage area designed to support sensitive healthcare shipments. The certification further expands FedEx’s global healthcare logistics capabilities. The company reached 30 IATA CEIV Pharma certifications across its global air hubs and cargo handling facilities in August 2026, reinforcing its focus on consistent pharmaceutical handling standards across its international network. For the Indian Subcontinent, the DWC hub serves as an important gateway connecting regional businesses with FedEx’s wider global network. The certification comes as pharmaceutical and life sciences supply chains increasingly require reliable cold-chain infrastructure, stringent compliance and greater shipment visibility. FedEx is also using digital technologies to strengthen monitoring of healthcare shipments. Its AI-powered FedEx Surround monitoring and intervention solution, combined with FedEx SenseAware sensor technology, provides near real-time information on package location, temperature and environmental conditions. This enables proactive intervention when shipment conditions require attention. “Achieving the CEIV Pharma certification reflects our continued commitment to delivering healthcare logistics services that meet the highest international standards,” said Taarek Hinedi, Vice President Operations and Planning & Engineering, FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa. The DWC certification also supports the UAE’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional healthcare and life sciences hub, while providing pharmaceutical companies with additional access to specialised air cargo infrastructure and temperature-controlled logistics capabilities. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
