Los Angeles Airport’s 2017 cargo tonnage breaks 18 year old record

April 17, 2018: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has seen 8.1 percent surge in air cargo tonnage processed in 2017. The gateway has processed more than 2.158 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2017, breaking the previous record of the year 2000. (2.038 million metric tonnes).

The airport attributes the growth to increased trade between the Asia-Pacific and North American regions.

“As we place a high value on cargo-related jobs, we remain committed to partner with trade, logistics, and air cargo stakeholders to bring the next generation of efficiency to cargo business at LAX,” highlights Deborah Flint, chief executive officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

“With the upcoming Century Cargo Redevelopment project, which will modernise our cargo-processing abilities, we are making critical decisions that ensure we can meet tomorrow’s challenges and achieve new milestones,” said John Carver, LAWA Deputy chief development officer.

The Century Cargo Redevelopment is aimed at innovative design and operational concepts which will allow LAWA to continue to modernise its LAX air cargo functionality and provide additional capacity to help meet current and anticipated demand.

LAX has more than 2.1 million square feet of space devoted to air cargo across 194 acres. LAX is home to the largest airport refrigeration facility and perishable centre on the US West Coast, maintained by Mercury Air Cargo, at a size of 12,700 square feet. It is also home to integrators such as FedEx. The LA-area cargo trade also engages more than 800 freight forwarders and 360 customs house brokers.