WFS Navigates COVID-19
AIRPORT VOICE, JUNE 2020 15
Credits innovation/collaboration
Like its counterparts in the cargo
industry, Worldwide Flight Services
(WFS) is proud of the important role
it has in the fi ght against COVID-19,
in delivering crucial supplies and
equipment to communities around
the world. "WFS was able to work
its way through the challenges of
handling high daily volumes of urgently
needed PPE and important
medical supplies with minimum
impact on our operations for its clients.
I could not be prouder of the
men and women of WFS for their
selfl ess acts of courage in support
of the greater good, not only in NY,
but across the entire network", said
EVP the Americas Mike Simpson.
However, the last few months
have not been without its challenges.
Since the start of the pandemic,
WFS has implemented a
range of different measures to mitigate
the signifi cant impact COVID
19 has had on its operations.
Implementing the directives of social
distance, wearing masks, frequent
hand washing and allowing
workers to stay home if not feeling
well created a strong backbone for
maintaining operations while dealing
with an infl ux of new shipments.
With the health and safety of its
employees, customers and visitors
as its number one priority, WFS has
and continues to closely monitor advice
from the World Health Organization
(WHO), governments and
other industry sources, to ensure it
is up to date with the latest recommendations
and practices required
for COVID-19. In NY and across the
entire US network, all WFS warehouses
workers must wear masks,
maintain social distance when possible,
and be subject to regular temperature
checks.
As new information is released,
human resources, safety and operational
teams meet remotely several
times a week to share the latest advice
across the group.
Throughout the crisis, WFS
has been regularly communicating
with employees, customers and
other stakeholders, such as trade associations,
to share the latest guidance
and also keep on top of any
new developments. For employees,
this has been via a series of global
health bulletins, FAQ documents
and posters emphasizing key COVID
19 hygiene rules. Cargo handling
staff were provided with mandated
masks, sanitizers, signage
and other materials to protect them
and their colleagues and to mitigate
the spread of infection. For the
community, Phil Jensen, WFS VP
Business Development and Industry
Relations, was instrumental in
helping maintain communications
between cargo handling companies,
airlines and the Port Authority of
NY&NJ and provided ongoing feedback
via the daily airport community
call (DACC) and weekly JFK
CBP conference calls.
WFS has mirrored this proactive
approach across its global network.
In Liege, for example, it showed
great agility when in just 72 hours
it launched a new ‘emergency response’
cargo handling operation
following a request from the airport
to help increase its capacity
for freighter fl ights carrying urgent
coronavirus-related medical equipment
into Europe. Similarly, in New
York, the WFS team handled dozens
of freighter and ad hoc charter
fl ights every week bringing critical
PPE, pharmaceuticals and mail
to the U.S. market throughout the
darkest days of the health crisis.
WFS has also had to innovate
and adapt its operational processes
to the loading and unloading of
cargo from the passenger cabin,
as combination carriers have responded
to the increased demand
for cargo during the pandemic. This
included developing risk assessment
based Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) to enable the 950
employees reporting to work every
day at JFK Airport, and handling a
growing number of freighter fl ights,
to safely load and unload shipments
while being protected from the risk
of virus transmission.
Moving forward, WFS believes
the strong and rapid collaboration
between all aviation stakeholders
in the so-called ‘new normal’ business
environment will be essential
to protect all employees and local
communities in the future.
“We also hope for fl exibility and
understanding from our customers
and other stakeholders regarding
new processes and rules at our
warehouses, which are now in place
to protect the safety and security
of everyone working at, or visiting,
our sites”, said VP Business Development,
Rinzing Wangyal.
Long Island Import Export Association
A Not–For-Prot Organization Founded in 1982
The Long Island Import Export Association (LIIEA) is excited to welcome The Port Authority of NY & NJ, CES and CBP
representatives for a FREE webinar-based brieng on
CARGO UPTICK
Thursday, June 25 at 10:00AM-11:00AM.
Please join us for a Webinar on Thursday, June 25 at 10:00AM to 11:00AM. Register here to attend the webinar based brieng.
Speakers include: Nicol Polidoro and Francis Caponi, Port Authority of NY & NJ; Charles Gildersleeve, H&M International;
Steve Banasiak, East Coast Warehouse; Director Marty Raybon, Customs and Border Protection.
As states continue to reopen, the Port of NY and NJ serves a critical role in the economic recovery going forward to continue
facilitating the movement of cargo locally, regionally and nationally. Port Authority sta will be joined Centralized Examination
Station (CES) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) representatives to provide updates and share information as we all
navigate coronavirus impacts.
The Port of NY & NJ is focused on communicating, cooperating and collaborating port users, customers and stakeholders
to maintain supply chain uidity during this challenging time.
Contact Patti Sto at patti@liiea.org or 516-783-1369
We hope you can participate and look forward to connecting. Stay safe and healthy.
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