Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has opened an 80,000 square-foot airside warehouse for non-express, general cargo shipments. This marks the first completed project at the CVG Global Logistics Park, developed by F&F LLC.
The airport is home to major Amazon Air and DHL Express air hubs, where parcels from across the United States and the world are redistributed to other destinations. However, these carriers handle a limited amount of heavy airfreight from logistics companies. The new facility creates an opportunity for handling everyday items like textiles, machinery parts, household goods, and other retail and consumer products that are not as time-sensitive.
According to Lisa Sauer, chair of the Kenton County Airport Board, this growth in the cargo side of their business has been a long-term goal. She believes that this added capability will strengthen their position as a cargo leader and ultimately create more jobs in the region.
The CVG Global Logistics Park is an integral part of the airport’s vision to create a self-sustaining aviation ecosystem. The dedicated area provides direct airfield access for general cargo activity, separated from passenger traffic, with distinct operating areas designed to enhance efficiency and security for cargo handling and multi-modal distribution.
In mid-2023, British Airways began frequent scheduled passenger service from London Heathrow airport to CVG, opening a major air freight lane with its Boeing 777 jets. AGI, which processes cargo shipped on British Airways, and airline Allegiant, are the first tenants in the F&F building, according to Simon Wood, director of air service development, in an email.
Wood also added that this facility will allow CVG to attract more general freighters, as historically a lot of manufacturing has been trucked daily to Chicago or New York. With the new general cargo facility on airport property, the surrounding region can now directly connect with origin-and-destination cargo without trucking and congested airport delays.
The project was a $15 million investment, supported by more than $3. 6 million in Kentucky site development funds. Additionally, over $33 million of federal infrastructure funds were leveraged to rebuild the nearby airside ramp. The site was originally scheduled to be completed in early 2025.
In conclusion, the opening of this airside warehouse at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport provides a new outlet for shippers of non-express, general cargo and furthers their goal of creating a diverse cargo operation. This facility also brings the potential for more jobs in the region and enhances the airport’s position as a cargo leader.