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RFD Now Ranked in the Top 20 Busiest Cargo Airports

[ August 16, 2019   //   ]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released its calendar year 2018 all-cargo data which ranked Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) as the 19th largest cargo airport in the nation, with growth of almost 55 percent year-over-year.

Additionally, RFD was the only Illinois-based airports which grew its cargo operations including Chicago O’Hare International Airport which saw a decrease cargo activity by more than 35 percent.

In 2018, RFD saw more than 2.1 billion pounds of cargo moving through the airport. That number builds on the record-breaking 50 percent increase recorded in 2017, when nearly 1.4 billion pounds of cargo traveled through the airport.

“We’re excited to see this continued cargo growth at RFD,” said Mike Dunn, RFD Executive Director. “The success of our cargo activity positions our region for additional job opportunities and economic development.”

RFD is home to the second largest UPS hub in North America, which continues to increase its daily cargo flights. The airport also serves other leaders in the air cargo industry, including ABX Air, ATI, and Atlas Air. With the airport’s recent cargo expansions and additional flights announced by Amazon Prime and other Amazon carriers, Rockford is quickly becoming a Midwest’s premier hub for e-commerce freight.

In July 2018, RFD announced it had been ranked by the FAA, as the 22nd largest cargo airport in the nation, up from a ranking of 31 in 2016. The ranking announcement came on the heels of RFD’s groundbreaking of its new 120,000-square-foot building expansion at the Chicago Rockford International Airport Cargo Center along with the start of construction on a new $5 million ramp for cargo aircraft parking. In addition, the airport continues to receive federal funding to support expansions. Officials expect support to continue as RFD has more than 1,000 acres of land for additional projects.

RFD’s cargo success has also had a huge economic impact for the Rockford region. Nearly 1,000 jobs were created last year, through new and existing tenants as well as construction-related jobs to support our growth. The airport expects to see an additional 1,000 jobs added throughout 2020.

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