Virgin Atlantic Cargo announced that it has entered into a long term outsourcing arrangement with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), which involves the sale of the airline's North American cargo handling operation.

The agreement, for an initial term of five years, will result in WFS assuming all the assets and staff associated with the airline's cargo handling division, along with the commitment to handle Virgin's air cargo product at five sites: Newark, Washington Dulles, Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles. WFS already handles the airline's cargo product at JFK and Las Vegas airports.

The five sites will be transferred to WFS over the next two/three months.

The airline is confident that WFS will offer their customers the same level of service they have come to expect. The fact that WFS has an excellent match of locations to the Virgin network and that they have offered positions to all staff that will be affected, made WFS the perfect choice.

Jack Fiol, Senior VP Cargo, USA commented,

"The airline handling business has changed dramatically over the last couple of years and to remain competitive you have to be able to offer a broad range of services.

We reached a point where we had to branch out, possibly into ramp or passenger handling, or outsource the operation to a company who can realize the value when aligned to theirs.

Obviously this has been a really tough decision as many of our people have been here from the beginning. Ultimately however, the long term growth of this operation and therefore the future of the staff, is more assured when aligned with a company whose core business is ground handling".

Olivier Bijaoui, President and Chief Executive Officer for Worldwide Flight Services explains why WFS was selected, "With the many challenges currently facing the airline industry, it is critical to provide effective solutions in an ever changing marketplace. WFS, as the world's largest cargo handler, offered a solution that will enhance Virgin's cargo product and ensure the future growth of their North American operations."

Bijaoui believes WFS' extensive knowledge and expertise in cargo handling will support a seamless transition, and assure a relationship with Virgin Atlantic Cargo and its customers that can only strengthen and grow.