E-commerce boosts cargo demand at Chicago RFD

Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has noted an increase in cargo volumes in the third quarter of this year, which it says is due to e-commerce growth and the movement of PPE.

During the third quarter of this year, the hub posted a year on year increase in demand of almost 14% to 1.9bn lbs.

Mike Dunn, executive director at RFD, explained: “The major driver continues to be the growth of ecommerce. It has not slowed down since last holiday season.

“With the current pandemic still causing individuals to isolate, people are becoming accustomed to doing more of their purchases online and we expect a surge through the holidays that is perhaps larger than previous years.”

The hub also saw an increase in the number of cargo flights bringing essential products and PPE to the region in a bid to fight the pandemic.

“The airport expects to see another increase of PPE flights and/or those that carry vaccines and other critical items to the Rockford area in the coming months,” it said.

In order to cope with increased airfreight demand, RFD is building a 90,000 sq ft international cargo facility (pictured). The building, for which the construction was first announced in October and is set for completion in the summer of 2021, is currently in Phase 1 of a two-phase cargo building expansion.

RFD was also recently named as the Midwest hub for Senator International.