A major transformation from reliever status to International Cargo Port
of Entry has happened for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV).
screening with the ability to process
60 tones of perishables in three hours.
The airport has quickly built up a strong
flow of Latin American perishables
traffic, with full freighters now arriving
daily.
It has inspired the airport to seek an
even more extensive perishables linkage.
“We have recently been having extensive discussions with a number of carriers interested in flying product from
Asia directly into the Midwest,” confirms Cantwell. “Their interest is clearly
focused on connecting with our Latin
American services in order to backhaul
perishables traffic to Asia.”
What are the chances or such an ambitious linkage becoming a reality?
“Our first Asian carrier arrives next
month,” says Cantwell. ACW
Accepting the cargo business model in 2003, MidAmerica had plenty of work to do. In 2005 the cargo terminal was completed and in 2006 the FIS.
The entire airport was designated an extension of Foreign Trade Zone 31. In 2007 it
was designated Port 4581.
Wide body ramp equipment
was purchased and first international shipments arrived
in April of 2007. By June of
2008 interest grew for Latin
American product distribution in the Midwest via MidAmerica and the airport built a 10,000 sq/
ft perishable center, inside a 50,000 warehouse, complete with compartmented chillers and x-ray screening.
Now, there are extensive discussions
with carriers interested in flying product
from Asia directly to the BLV. They real-
ize the advantages of central distribution
throughout the Midwest, Canada and Mexico and linking to LATAM destinations, all
on airport. That avoids at least 48 hours
trucking and double handling, if not more
of both.
Tim Cantwell, Director, sums it up. “Years ago
I was advised this would
take some time. Now, the
market is quickly realizing
that a new economy has new
needs. At the top of those
needs is a low cost, no con-
gestion, easy land access, efficient and all
service international air portal geared to
air freight. Our cargo model is the essence
of those needs: CBP/USDA, parking ramp,
perishable center, warehouse, trucking —
all within 200 meters of the airplane. Call
us and take the advantage to profits.”
