Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has reinforced its position as the largest independent cargo handler in France by winning new contracts with Rossiya/ Aeroflot, Air India and Icelandair, Air cargo News reported.

The contracts cover cargo handling at Paris Charles de Gaulle as well as at WFS’ other airport locations across France.

WFS commenced operations for Air India and Icelandair on 1 August 2016 and they will be joined by Rossiya/Aeroflot on 1 October. WFS is the preferred cargo handling partner of over 180 airlines in France, including 100 online customers.

John Batten, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, at WFS, said: “The decision of these three airlines to award contracts to WFS in France is testimony not only to the size of our operation but, more importantly, the quality of service our teams across the country consistently deliver for our customers.”

WFS is the world’s largest cargo handler. It handles over 4m tonnes of cargo a year, and ground handles for approximately 300 airline customers. WFS currently operates in 22 countries across five continents.

At the beginning of last month (July), in a surprise to most, WFS announced that chief executive Olivier Bijaoui had left the company. The group’s chief operating officer Barry Nassberg assumed interim leadership responsibilities.

He at least was confident that the handler would continue to grow.

“WFS is a strong and growing company with dedicated employees throughout the organisation and strong leaders at every level,” he said.

“Our recent acquisition of (US-based handler) CAS has all the potential we expected and the integration of our companies is proceeding ahead of schedule.

“We also have several new business wins coming on line and a robust pipeline of additional opportunities,” Nassberg explained.