Chennault Airport breaks ground on its first air cargo facility

This story has been updated in regards to Chennault International Airport's connectivity goals with Mexico and facility infrastructure. Louisiana’s Chennault International Airport (CWF), located east of Lake Charles and near the east Texas border, broke ground on its 10,000-square-foot pass-through air cargo facility July 24, and aims to build an air cargo market by tapping into regional e-commerce demand and, eventually, international imports. [caption id="attachment_96112" align="alignright" width="424"] Rendering of Chennault's air cargo facility courtesy of Chennault International Airport[/caption] CWF currently has no established air cargo operations at the airport, despite being equipped to accommodate large aircraft and heavy cargo, David Whitaker, air cargo consultant for the airport, told Air Cargo World . Whitaker is an aviation advisor who was retained by CWF to help identify potential industry partners, according to a recent release from CWF. Whitaker noted the area’s strong e-commerce demand, especially with Amazon’s growing air cargo network. “Of course, we are following Amazon’s activities and their trendsetting ways,” said Whitaker. “We do feel additional outlets to ensure similar speed and service opportunities to all markets for e-commerce will be needed and hope to be one of them.” In addition to e-commerce, Whitaker expects the heavy oil and gas activity on the Gulf Coast to fuel regional cargo demand, as well. CWF expects the new facility to be occupied by a single third-party cargo ground handler, said Whitaker, who clarified that the warehouse will be a general cargo pass-through facility that will not initially include refrigeration or other specialty cargo infrastructure. However, the facility is designed to be expandable and may be retrofit for specialty cargo as needed, Whitaker said. While the airport is currently focusing on domestic connectivity, it hopes to eventually tap into international imports, said Whitaker. “We’ve already spoken with U.S. Customs about the new warehouse becoming certified to receive international imports when it's finished,” said Whitaker. He further noted that securing chartered air cargo operations will be a top priority for the airport. “Charters are a top target [because] they can have a tough time getting the service they deserve at busy gateway airports,” said Whitaker. “Additionally, we’re aware of charters out of Mexico that have more circuitous routings than necessary based on the destinations of the cargo, given the limited or undesirable airport options, [and] Chennault is a good option for flights from [Mexico] into the U.S.” The $4 million project is primarily funded by the Louisiana Legislature, with the remaining roughly $1 million balance paid by the Chennault International Airport Authority, a Chennault Airport spokesperson told Air Cargo World. The project is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months, they said. Originally a 1950s-era airbase, CWF has been converted to a noncommercial international airport and aerospace hub. The nonpassenger airport primarily serves the needs of civilian, military and maintenance, repair and overhaul aircraft, said the spokesperson. CWF has a 10,700-by-200-foot runway built with 17-inch concrete and newly refurbished taxiway, so it is well-equipped for air cargo operations.

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