Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has become the largest cargo handler in Montreal, Canada, by purchasing the assets of Excel Cargo at both Montreal's Dorval and Mirabel airports.


The combined operation of both airports, including the existing WFS operation at Dorval, will have close to 150 employees and will function under the WFS name and brand.

The acquisition supports WFS' long-term commitment to the Canadian market. WFS also provides handling in Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto. Growth in Canada forms part of the strategic plan for developing WFS' presence in North America. Since January 2011, WFS has been awarded 24 new cargo contracts in North America worth US$11 million and retained a further 10 contracts that were part of competitive bid processes.


Olivier Bijaoui, President & CEO of WFS, said: 'This is a large and important acquisition for WFS as it establishes itself as the major cargo handling partner in Canada. The existing Excel operation complements WFS' activities. It also provides the opportunity to develop not only our customer base to include numerous freight forwarders, but also to expand our service offerings with the addition of cargo running at Dorval and ramp and warehouse handling at Mirabel.'


He added: 'WFS recently appointed Michel Defays as Senior Vice President Canada. Michel has significant aviation experience from the airline, ground handler and airport operations fields. His expertise will be valuable to both us and our customers as we focus on further development in Canada.'


On completion of the takeover on August 1st 2011, WFS' existing customers British Airways, Finnair, Forwardair and US Airways transferred operations into the larger Excel premises at Dorval, adjacent to Customs, to achieve greater efficiency. 'The new operation will continue to provide services to Excel's Dorval airline customers; Aer Lingus, Air Transat, CSA, Cubana, First Air, Qantas and SAS as well as to more than 45 freight forwarding organizations. 
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The large, recently built, state-of-the-art facility is equipped with 12 dock doors, a large cooler facility for temperature-controlled shipments and a dedicated freezer. WFS says customers will benefit from access to these larger facilities and to the x-ray equipment for cargo screening that will be transferred. More than 2,700 tons of airfreight per month will be handled in the new Dorval operation. Mirabel will remain at its current location.