DFW upgrades facility to grow cargo presence

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has begun a substantial refurbishment of its 19th Street Cargo facility, which will improve DFW's ability to process international e-commerce and boost overall cargo capacity.

The project will expand DFW's cargo operations while utilising cutting-edge technology to solve workforce shortages, airport congestion, and sustainability while boosting safety, efficiency, and security across the cargo ecosystem.

The 19th Street Cargo Redevelopment Project, which will provide roughly 350,000 square feet of new warehouse space and seven ADG VI (large cargo aircraft) parking spaces, is expected to be completed in late 2024. DFW will drive the project from start to finish, allowing the airport to select tenants who agree with its long-term strategy and vision.

“We selected these tenants for their commitment to excellence in cargo handling and their long-term business strategy, which supports our business priorities in developing DFW as a transit hub in the global supply chain connecting Asia and Latin America,” said John Ackerman, Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Development, DFW. “This will also support our goal of being a hub for the fastest growing markets, including pharma and other perishables, as well as cross-border e-commerce.”

Following an exhaustive search for forward-looking tenants that value innovation, automation, and other emerging technologies, Menzies Aviation and dnata USA have been tentatively selected to operate new cargo warehouses that will be located at the 19th Street Cargo area. These operators, which are subject to final approval by the DFW Board of Directors, will join a future design-build contractor to create and operate this industry-leading facility.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on this new cargo initiative, increasing our footprint at the airport as we already have a well-established cargo business. This new cargo opportunity will allow us to showcase our investment in innovation and make the new DFW cargo facility one of the most technologically advanced in North America,” said Robert Fordree, Executive Vice President of Cargo, Menzies Aviation.

David Barker, Regional CEO Americas, dnata said, “We are proud to have been selected to partner with DFW as they embark on this extensive redevelopment project. dnata continues to invest in cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technologies and digitization, to further enhance efficiencies across our operations. This includes the use of innovative autonomous drones in our existing warehouses at DFW. Our long-term commitment to sustainable operations, including the construction of new, LEED-certified buildings, also aligns with DFW’s plans for the 19th Street Cargo redevelopment. We look forward to working closely with DFW to ensure the project’s long-term success.”