Chicago Rockford International Airport Lands Daily Cargo Deal
RFD finalizing deal with ABX Air
Beginning September 6, a Boeing 767 cargo jet will buzz in and out of the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) each day, and the freight operation could grow to four daily flights by the end of 2016.
RFD management is finalizing a deal with ABX Air, an international airfreight carrier headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio, to host the cargo operation. The deal will create 50 to 60 freight-handling jobs with the potential for these numbers to grow as the number of daily flights increase.
“We believe that the availability of a warehouse and a ramp in addition to our location was a winning combination,” said Mike Dunn, Executive Director of RFD. “A 200,000 square foot MRO which will be operated by AAR was also influential in the deal.”
ABX is partnering with Pinnacle Logistics to provide freight and ground handling services.
RFD is an ideal location for cargo operations. ABX will be located in a 72,000 sq. ft. ramp side facility. The cargo ramp is capable of receiving several aircraft. Easy access to Interstate highways surrounding RFD will also allow for very efficient trucking to and from the airport.
“An airport like this is great,” E. Tom Wheeling III, CEO and president of the Dallas-based freight business Pinnacle, told the local newspaper. “You can get in and out fast. And the warehouse we’ll be using will serve our needs. It’s very convenient to operate in a market like this. Now all we have to do is hire people.”
The Chicago Rockford International Airport is the nation’s 25th busiest in cargo volume. Freight activity related to the ABX Air deal will likely place RFD even higher on the list of top airports.