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Swissport International has announced the operational launch of the Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the second-largest cargo airport in the world. With this step, Swissport enters the Chinese market and pursues a strategy for expansion in Asia to support the growing demand in cross-border e-commerce in China.
The opening follows a partnership agreement signed in October 2025 between Swissport and Smarex, a joint venture of AVINEX Logistics (Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development Company) and China Eastern Airlines Logistics. Swissport has worked closely with Smarex to operationalize the facility, combining its global operational experience with advanced digital infrastructure.
Warwick Brady, CEO and President of Swissport International, commented on this step: “The operational launch at Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a pivotal moment for Swissport in Asia and globally. This year, we celebrate 30 years of operational presence, and our network continues to grow – including here in China. We are shaping the future of intelligent, state-of-the-art, and sustainable air cargo operations by combining our global reach and proven operational experience with cutting-edge AI-powered infrastructure and the advanced capabilities of Smarex in one of the most dynamic logistics markets in the world.”
Global air cargo connectivity
Through Swissport International’s network, which encompasses 312 airports in 49 countries, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is directly connected to key cargo hubs in North America, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. This enables integrated global cargo flows and enhanced connectivity for customers.
The trade routes from Shanghai to key destinations such as New York, Miami, Liège, Zurich, Amsterdam, and the United Kingdom allow goods to be transported up to two days faster than before. This is supported by consistently high standards of efficiency and reliability across the network.
Modern cargo operations
The new facility has a total area of 144,000 m² and is designed to support the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce. This includes expedited customs processing through an “inspect-first, then-deliver” model, as well as highly automated sorting across four loops.
The cargo hub also offers advanced cold chain capabilities over an area of 15,000 m², allowing temperatures from -60 °C to +25 °C. This ensures the integrity of pharmaceutical and perishable goods through strict handling standards and continuous 24/7 monitoring.
Brad Moore, CEO of Swissport in the APAC region, stated:
“Shanghai Pudong International Airport already processes around 4 million tons of cargo per year. Now that we are integrated into our global network, we expect volumes to grow by about 8 to 10% in the coming years, while connectivity and efficiency on key trade routes improve. This is particularly significant given the scale and dynamics of the e-commerce and cross-border trade ecosystem in China.”
The partnership introduces a closely integrated global-local model that combines Smarex’s logistics with Swissport’s international air cargo expertise. In addition to standardizing operational processes and knowledge sharing, the collaboration supports the development of next-generation intelligent cargo capabilities and positions Shanghai as a model for scalable intelligent terminal operations within Swissport’s global network.
