Strong first half for Rickenbacker

U.S.-based all-cargo airport, Rickenbacker International, saw a 40.1 percent increase in cargo handled in the first half of 2015, compared to the first-half figures for 2014. So far this year, the airport has handled just over 46,000 tonnes of goods, compared to 33,000 tonnes in the same period in 2014.

Carriers Cargolux, Cathay Pacific and newly added Emirates SkyCargo Airlines all contributed to triple-digit growth in international freight at Rickenbacker. Cargolux traffic at the facility was up 135.3 percent, y-o-y, Cathay Pacific was up an astounding 306.6 percent, y-o-y, and Emirates added 256 tonnes of cargo into the equation in the short time it has been calling on Rickenbacker.

Additionally, while a new control tower is being built at the airport, a public-private partnership will collaborate to develop at 100,000-square-foot air cargo terminal airside, with expanded access for trucks on the other side. The facility, expected to be ready for occupancy by mid-2016, will be constructed by Distribution Land Corp. State funding is pending, but approval is anticipated said a spokesperson for the airport.