Philadelphia (PHL) has secured a US$30.7 billion funding from the United State's Federal Government to boost its aviation sector — including US$1.2 billion to support the roll out of its cargo expansion program as the state seeks to become a "premier cargo airport."
The Middle Atlantic state announced plans to expand its cargo capabilities in June with a programme that will see the hub increase its air cargo facility footprint by 136 acres and almost triple its cargo building square footage from 600,000 to 1.4 million.
"The funding we are receiving for PHL and PNE will spur a-once-in-a-generation investment into these important regional assets," said Division of Aviation CEO Chellie Cameron.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), for her part, noted that Philadelphia International Airport is an economic engine for the region.
"PHL’s vision for the use of these funds through a robust cargo expansion means new opportunities for individuals across our region," Scanlon said.
The cargo development program will not only help PHL obtain a bigger portion of air cargo that comes into the Greater Philadelphia area, it could also have an annual economic impact of US$870 million for the region and create as many as 6,000 permanent jobs and approximately 5,000 construction jobs annually over the course of the project.
Cargo expansion plans
In a statement, PHL said the expansion relies on numerous enabling infrastructure projects to prepare the property for development.
"PHL has already invested US$90 million through airport revenue bonds and grants to enable the development of the site. These projects include an environmental assessment, a wetlands mitigation project, the construction of an aircraft parking apron and the relocation of Tinicum-Island Road, a one-mile stretch of road that currently bisects the property," it added, noting that a number of other projects are also underway or were recently completed as part of upgrades to boost the airport’s cargo capacity.
Meanwhile, Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) will also receive US$763,000 which will be used to support capital development projects that improve the airfield infrastructure.
"This is just a start for Philadelphia International Airport becoming the best cargo airport on the East Coast," Cameron said.
"We are looking forward to the five years of funding that will come from this [federal law], and we also hope to compete for additional funding for our terminal infrastructure," she added, noting that although passenger travel is down, cargo is up and she predict it to sustain its growth as demand increases.
Although currently not among the top 10 busiest cargo hubs in the United States, Philadelphia International Airport said it has the right facilities to handle cargo aircraft and keep cargo moving — round the clock operations; steady growth in cargo lift; long 10,499 and 9,500-foot runways; two commuter runways; major airport capacity enhancements underway.
"There is no substitute for location, and PHL is right in the middle of the most densely packed geographic region in the United States," the gateway said, adding that most "airfreight eligible" commodity manufacturers in the USA are within an easy overnight truck drive (12 hours), and even more can be reached on the next day (16 hours).
