Airports update

AIR Cargo News reports on new cargo developments at airports around the world.

In North America, Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Calgary International Airport (right) have recorded high volumes. Reno-Tahoe reported handling 8.9 million pounds of cargo in January 2011, up three per cent over last year. It marks 12 straight month-over-month cargo increases at the airport. In Canada, Calgary registered an 8.1 per cent rise in cargo tonnage in 2010, aided by a 145,000 square-foot facility added to accommodate UPS growth.

In the UK the total tonnage of freight and mail carried from UK airports in 2010 reached 2.5 million tonnes, an increase of 12 per cent on 2009. This recovery follows a fall of 10 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008.

Meanwhile, things are not looking so positive in Hong Kong. Air cargo tonnage at Hactl fell nine per cent in February from a year earlier because of weaker demand during the Lunar New Year holiday early in the month. Hactl handled 163,640 metric tons of cargo in February. Exports fell 18.2 per cent in the month from a year earlier to 75,110 tons, while imports were down 3.4 per cent to 48,809 tons. It handled 394,591 tons of cargo in the January-February period, up 0.5 per cent from a year earlier.

Other airports around the world are looking to develop. Sri Lanka’s new international airport will be opened for flight operations by the end of 2012, and will have the capacity to handle 45,000 metric tons of cargo.

Bulgaria’s Cabinet is looking to find private operators for the cargo terminal at Plovdiv Airport. While there was investor interest in the cargo terminal a couple of years ago, it remains unclear if the government’s motion will generate any offers