Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has opened a new $33 million air cargo facility which significantly increases the airport’s ability to handle domestic and international freight.
In recent years air cargo volume and demand for freight services in the southeastern United States has increased dramatically. The new facility positions the South Carolina area and GSP with the opportunity to capitalise on this growth.
The 110,000 square-foot cargo facility and its 17-acre apron allow the airport to accommodate up to three Boeing 747-800F aircraft simultaneously; tripling the airport’s previous handling capacity.
“The opening of our new air cargo facility will begin a special new chapter for GSP,” said Dave Edwards, the airport’s president and CEO.
“GSP’s ability to be a hub for cargo has attracted many companies to the Upstate since the 1960s. This new facility allows GSP to take the region’s logistics infrastructure to new heights.”
Senator International, a German-based freight forwarder, will lease half of the facility to support its Senator Atlantic Bridge (SAB) flights from GSP to Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) with twice-weekly connecting service to Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Senator International is very proud to celebrate this new milestone and together with the South Carolina business community, the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, all our valued clients and business partners, we will continue to grow the air cargo operation here at GreenvilleSpartanburg International Airport,” said Tim Kirschbaum, chairman and CEO of Senator International.
Senator’s new location is tailor-made to serve their international client base by offering overhead crane capabilities with lift capability up to 20 tons and a Cyro Farm which can be used to cool specialised healthcare equipment. The new design and setup will enable Senator to optimise its processes and meet the timelines of their clients by guaranteeing faster lead times.
In 2018, the airport handled 119 million pounds of cargo, including more than 550 horses competing in the World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, N.C. The airport is a hub for automotive parts, vehicles, and medical equipment.
GSP last year also moved up to number 59 from number 84 two years ago on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) list that ranks air cargo volume for airports in the US.
Haskell designed and the built the facility’s warehouse. WK Dickson, based in Charlotte, NC, was the engineer for the cargo ramp. McCarthy Improvement,was the contractor for the cargo ramp.
