#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE
Wednesday
February 5,
2025
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#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE |
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| Vol. 24 No. 5 | Wednesday
February 5,
2025 |
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Cargo Building 260's Triumphant Return |
When Building 260 originally appeared in 1962 at Idlewild Airport Cargo (today JFK) in New York, the place heralded a new era for air shippers with all the bells and whistles to advance air cargo to an unheard of new plateau. When that very same building, empty and unused for decades bit the dust and was removed a while back, air cargo romantics lamented the final chapter in the rich history of the pioneering all cargo airline, Seaboard World Airlines. SW bought and paid for the original Building 260, whilst based at JFK. SW operated in that building from the dawn of modern air cargo until it disappeared into Flying Tigers Line in 1980; and subsequently in 1989, FTL was swallowed up by FedEx. Well, what goes around comes around, and here and now in 2025, Building 260, which pioneered the first all-cargo SW B747Fs in history, is back and maybe better than ever as Worldwide Flight Services (WFS). WFS opens the first new cargo terminal built at JFK in 30 years, advancing air cargo handling innovation and sustainability at the airport 
Mike Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway
Services, Americas at WFS, is jubilant: “WFS is proud of its 41 years of service to our customers at New York JFK. Building 260 with 350,000 square feet of floor space marks a new era for WFS and air cargo. “Building 260 sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide. “This facility embodies our dedication to connecting the world through logistics and embraces new levels of digitalization and sustainability that will act as a model for other new cargo operations around the world “Important firsts include the first-ever dedicated on-airport handling facility for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products and perishable cargo. “Over 3,000 sq. ft of cooler space enables the handling of perishable and pharmaceutical goods requiring variable temperature ranges of between 2-8°C or 15-25°C. “Adjacent to the new WFS cargo terminal is a ramp area that can accommodate up to three Boeing 747-400/777 or similar-sized wide-body freighters,” Mike Simpson concluded. 
“Building 260 reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional service
and setting new benchmarks for the industry. It’s a milestone achievement
that positions us to meet the future demands of global logistics with confidence
and excellence,” Frank Clemente, SVP Cargo, Americas at WFS said.Now we are wondering if perhaps WFS might place a small plaque of honorarium somewhere in their new air cargo wonderworld at JFK. After all Seaboard World Airlines, in addition to Building 260, built the first on airport airline headquarters— beautiful Building 178, on the other side of the airport, which was demolished to make way for a train station. Also SW cargo flight were the first airplanes to arrive in the long history of Idlewild Airport (now JFK) when the field opened for business July 9,1948. As mentioned SW is recorded in time with many more firsts, including as the airline that ordered and operated the Boeing 747F (number 1-747 built as a freighter from the beginning of its production) from Building 260 and was the first all-cargo airline to join the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In the presser for the new Building 260, WFS CEO Mike Simpson described the grand opening of the beautiful new facility a “milestone.” We hope, for WFS and their faith and courage in New York is never a millstone, but rather a rip-roaring success.
With congratulations and best wishes to
WFS, we also send thanks in advance for keeping the rich history and legacy
of JFK Air Cargo Building 260 alive yesterday, today and tomorrow for
future generations. |
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 Vol. 24 No. 2 Port Strike Averted Chuckles for January 14, 2025 EMO Trans By The Book Fruit Logistica February 5 |
 Vol. 24 No. 3 Air Cargo At The Kursaal Chuckles for January 24, 2024 Scoring Between Flights Year Of The Snake A Tale Of Two Airports |
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Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing
Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard Malkin |
Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
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