IAG Cargo’s Madrid hub, which has been handling our customers’ goods for over 20 years, has recently expanded and enhanced its specialised perishables facility. With increased capacity and new cutting-edge cooling chambers, this facility plays a critical role in delivering fresh fruits, vegetables, and temperature sensitive products in peak condition, supporting global food producers and farmers around the world.
The hub handles over 200,000 tonnes of cargo each year, is our key connector to Latin America, and the primary base of Iberia, Spain’s biggest airline. The expansion forms part of IAG Cargo’s wider €12 million investment into our Madrid hub over the last six years to enhance the service we offer our customers. Let’s take a look at the latest developments.
How has the capacity of the revamped perishables facility in Madrid been enhanced, and what benefits does this offer?
This investment has increased the total capacity of the facility by 45% and provides 1,340 square metres of dedicated temperature-controlled space, offering customers the largest cooling chambers at Madrid airport. The chambers bring improved reliability and efficiency to IAG Cargo’s cold chain operations in Europe and are monitored 24/7 to ensure temperature sensitive goods are held in the correct conditions. As one of 16 EU-authorised border control points, the hub’s inspection facilities have also been refined to enhance the speed of customs clearance processes.
How will the expanded facility support our customers?
The hub is of particular benefit to those importing perishables from Latin America, a market that we have been supporting for many years. Our connections to the region include services to Mexico, Lima, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Santiago, Guatemala and Panama. These services form part of approximately 400 Iberia flights operating into and out of Madrid every day.
Our Constant Fresh product supports our customers moving perishable goods across our network of more than 350 destinations. It’s crucial for maintaining the integrity of fruit, vegetable, fish, and flower shipments, and optimises the shelf life of produce. This service is specifically designed to maintain the temperature of perishable goods throughout their entire journey, featuring a fleet of 12 dedicated ‘cool and fast’ trucks exclusively transporting perishables between the aircraft holds and our handling facilities.
Alongside our perishable trucks, are eight Constant Climate trucks dedicated to transporting pharmaceutical cargo between the aircraft and facility. Both fleets play a vital role at our Madrid hub, especially during the summer months when temperatures can soar above 40°C.
What are the most popular perishable imports to Madrid?
Our Madrid hub processes large volumes of fruit and vegetables, including asparagus from Peru and Los Angeles, papayas from Brazil, mangos from the Dominican Republic, avocados from Mexico, and okra from El Salvador. Other popular shipments include beef from Argentina and Uruguay, and hake and salmon from Chile, all of which leverage Iberia’s excellent transatlantic links.
What are Madrid’s other important networks?
Madrid can leverage IAG Cargo’s expansive wide-body network, serving eight key cities across North America, including New York, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as 17 destinations in Latin America. Most recently, direct flights to Doha began operating daily from Madrid, connecting customers in Europe, Latin America and North America with the Middle East. Madrid also offers daily flights to our London Heathrow hub, which acts as a key gateway to destinations across India and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Madrid’s extensive trucking network supports the distribution of goods throughout Spain and the rest of Europe.
Find out more about booking your freight with IAG Cargo here.
