Swissport has launched its first dedicated perishables centre in the United Kingdom at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The new facility strengthens the company’s global cool-chain network and supports growing demand for fresh Atlantic salmon. Scan Global Logistics is the first customer to operate from the site.

The purpose-built facility, acquired by Swissport in November 2024 to expand perishables handling capacity in the UK, is now operating with Scan Global Logistics as the first partner to establish the dedicated perishables presence on site. Together, the two companies are strengthening capacity, predictability, and handling quality for time- and temperature-sensitive goods, including seafood, fresh produce, and other critical perishables.

“Producers of temperature-sensitive goods depend on predictable capacity and controlled handling, especially as volumes continue to rise,” says Steen Søgaard, RCEO North Europe at Scan Global Logistics. “This setup provides a stable platform that supports both daily operations and long-term growth. Swissport’s global cool-chain expertise and operational scale make them a strong partner for the UK market.”

The new setup responds to growing demand across Northern Europe and beyond, where exporters require stable uplift windows, fast processing, and consistent cold-chain performance.

“Launching our first dedicated perishables centre in the UK and our partnership with Scan Global Logistics marks a significant milestone for Swissport,” says Joe Bellfield, Swissport Chief Operating Officer Cargo UK&I. “Heathrow is a critical gateway for global seafood flows, and perishables require absolute precision. By bringing our proven cool-chain processes, specialised infrastructure and trained teams to Heathrow Airport, we are strengthening the reliability and predictability that exporters depend on.”