05 Dec Modernizing Air Cargo Operations: The Power of Airport Cargo Community Systems
As e-commerce and global trade continue to drive air cargo volumes to and from North America, the continent’s busiest cargo airports face unprecedented challenges. Many of these vital hubs, constrained by aging infrastructure and limited expansion options, are turning into innovative digital solutions to optimize their operations. Airport Cargo Community Systems (ACS) are emerging as a game-changing technology, offering a path to enhanced efficiency and competitiveness in the air cargo sector.
Top 20 Cargo Airports in North America
Moving past the top three airports, which are hubs for two integrators and a major technical and transshipment point for cargo to and from Asia, the ages of some of the largest and best-known passenger airports form the outline of a mental picture of the overall age of the region’s airports.
- Memphis International Airport (MEM) – Tennessee, USA (1929)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) – Alaska, USA (1951)
- Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) – Kentucky, USA (1947)
- Miami International Airport (MIA) – Florida, USA (1928)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – California, USA (1928)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Illinois, USA (1944)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – New York, USA (1948)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – Kentucky, USA (1947)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – Indiana, USA (1931)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Texas, USA (1974)
- Ontario International Airport (ONT) – California, USA (1923)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Georgia, USA (1926)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – New Jersey, USA (1928)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK) – California, USA (1927)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Washington, USA (1944)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – Pennsylvania, USA (1925)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Texas, USA (1969)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – California, USA (1927)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Virginia, USA (1962)
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – Colorado, USA (1995)
Infrastructure Improvements and Cargo Modernization Projects
Many of North America’s busiest cargo airports are undertaking significant infrastructure improvements and cargo modernization projects to meet growing demand and improve efficiency. These projects are driven by the evolutionary development in sizes and types of planes, trucks and cargo types that demand greater amounts of space and support services.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
● $14.5 billion overall modernization program expected to take nearly a decade
● Recently selected development and design teams for a cargo modernization program
● Aims to revitalize existing cargo operation sites, some of which are 20-80 years old
● Focus on providing more technically advanced and efficient cargo facilities
Miami International Airport (MIA)
● Approved a $400+ million cargo facility project
● Four-story cargo hub, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere
● Will increase MIA’s total cargo capacity by at least 50% (up to 2 million tons annually)
● Scheduled for completion in 2029
● Will bring MIA’s total capacity to 4.5-5 million tons of cargo
● Nearly 800,000 square feet on 11 acres of airport land
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
● Opened the second phase of a $220 million northeast cargo development begun in 2017
● Part of a $160 million investment by Aeroterm and over $62 million in airport funds
● 240,000-square-foot Phase II building houses Burak, Cargolux, and Swissport
● When complete, it will be the largest airside cargo development built in the last decade at a US international gateway
● Phase III is open
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
● Developing its first new cargo facility in 20 years
● $145 million project for a 348,000-square-foot cargo processing center on 26+ acres
● Will include parking for three large freighter aircraft and over 50 truck dock doors
● Features advanced technology systems and a temperature-controlled zone for pharmaceuticals
● Center is now completed and open
These massive undertakings, while necessary for long-term growth, highlight the need for more immediate solutions to improve cargo handling efficiency. Airports cannot infinitely upsize themselves to fit current and demands. This is where Airport Cargo Community Systems (ACS) come into play, offering a digital approach to optimizing operations without extensive physical infrastructure changes. By digitizing and streamlining processes, ACS can significantly reduce bottlenecks and improve efficiency without the need for extensive physical infrastructure changes.
Examples of Process Optimization
One well-executed ACS can and will touch multiple stakeholders and drive reduced costs and increased efficiency and compliance for all. Just a few examples are:
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Implementing EDI can reduce data entry errors and processing time by up to 80%. In today’s climate of pre-departure government filings for export authorization and cargo security, sharing data rather than keying ensures that it is both correct and does not lead to delays or penalties for incorrect filings or late departures.
- Truck Appointment Systems: Digital scheduling systems can reduce truck waiting times by up to 70%. At busy airports like JFK, this could mean cutting average wait times from four hours to just over an hour.
- Increased Security and Reduced Theft: By automating the driver check-in process, identification submission and validation, paper copies of drivers licenses no longer need to be maintained and submitted ID’s can be checked for authenticity.
- Reduced Idling: Trucks waiting to pick up or drop off will leave their engines running for the drivers to remain comfortable. Appointment systems where drivers arrive and depart quickly reduces idling, saving fuel for the carrier and improving air quality for all stakeholders working on the airport.
The Future of Air Cargo Handling
As e-commerce continues to grow and supply chains become increasingly complex, the need for efficient air cargo handling will only intensify. Airport Cargo Community Systems offer a powerful solution to this challenge, enabling airports to optimize their operations without the need for extensive physical expansion.
By digitizing processes, improving communication between stakeholders, and providing real-time visibility into cargo movements, ACS can help airports:
- Reduce truck congestion and waiting times
- Optimize warehouse space utilization
- Align labor needs with cargo volumes and times of peak and reduced demand
- Enhance overall cargo handling capacity
For airport authorities and managers looking to improve their cargo operations, implementing an ACS should be a top priority. The benefits extend beyond the airport itself, improving the efficiency of the entire supply chain and boosting the competitiveness of the surrounding region as a logistics hub.
As we look to the future, the airports that embrace digital transformation will be best positioned to handle the growing demands of global trade. By investing in Airport Cargo Community Systems, North America’s busiest cargo airports can ensure they remain at the forefront of the air cargo industry, driving economic growth and meeting the needs of businesses and consumers alike.
Data source : Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA). “Airports Council Releases 2024 North American Airport Traffic Rankings.” (2024) and National Academies Press. “Air Cargo Facility Planning and Development — Final Report.” Chapter: Overview of Air Cargo Industry and Trends.
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