The Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) along with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, announced the construction of the new international cargo center to be located at the Airport. In October 2020, the airport announced the construction of 90,000-square-foot facility. This building is now a part of a new international cargo center. In addition to the first 90,000-square-foot building, the airport also will construct a 100,000 square foot building, a new ramp to accommodate six 747 aircraft, and a new road that will extend off Baxter Road to accommodate tractor/trailer traffic to and from the facility.

Late last year, the airport announced an agreement with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL from Germany in which it was selected as SENATOR’s Midwest air hub. Since that announcement, RFD has entered into additional agreements with freight forwarders and airlines from around the globe to begin handling full plane loads of in-bound and out-bound international cargo. 

The new international cargo center is being designed to accommodate daily multiple aircraft landings and departures containing international destination freight. The estimated total construction budget for the new facility is $42-43 million dollars. This figure includes the construction of two buildings, a new ramp for airplane parking and a new road. 

The airport has begun work with Congresswoman Bustos and her office, as well as, Senator Durbin’s and Senator Duckworth’s office, in seeking support with and from the FAA for the construction of the new ramp. It is anticipated that the first building and two of the six aircraft parking spots will be complete and operational by July 1, 2021. The remaining construction should be completed by November 1, 2021. The airport has arranged with Emery Air, an aircraft handling company currently located at RFD, to operate the new facility.  

“Adding this new element to the operations at RFD in addition to our UPS and Amazon operations, further elevates RFD as a world class and well-known airport throughout the world,” said Mike Dunn, Executive Director, RFD. Last year, RFD was recognized as the world’s fastest growing cargo airport. In 2020, RFD saw another fantastic growth in cargo operations (15% above 2019).