Iberia reveal plans for new cargo terminal at Madrid-Barajas

 

Spain's Iberia airlines, who merged with British Airlines last year, has revealed that it plans to build a new 100million euro cargo terminal at Madrid' Barajas airport.

Iberia's chairman, Antonio Vazquez, signed an agreement to contruct the new development with the head of Spain's national airport and traffic control authority, Aena.

When operational, the new hub will make Madrid-Barajas airport Europe's largest terminal for air cargo to and from South America.

Iberia will contribute 60m euros towards the project with Aena contributing the other 40million euros.

A spokesman for Iberia commented "The 39,000sqm terminal will stand on a 92,000sqm site between runways 15 and 33 and near the apron of the T4 satellite building that is used for most Latin American flights.

"The new feasibility will substantially reduce aircraft loading and unloading times, while boosting the efficiency and quality of Iberia's air cargo handling services at the airport."

Last year over 373,000 tonnes of freight passed through the current cargo terminal, an increase of 23.3% on 2009, with Iberia shipping 47% of that amount.

The new terminal is central to Iberia's plans for the growth of their cargo handling business in the 2015-2030 period, expecting to triple the 175,000 tonnes of cargo seen last year to some 650,000 tonnes by 2030.

The project is to be commissioned in 2015 and is expected to create 400 jobs at the hub itself, with the possibility of a further 1,000 jobs indirectly in postions such as customs, security services, hospitality, and retail.