Menzies Aviation is to provide cargo and freighter handling services to chartered and scheduled flights at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in Illinois.
The Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) has approved a lease agreement, which will see Menzies operate from RFD’s International Cargo Center for ten years, effective June 1.
Mike Dunn, executive director of RFD, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with globally recognised air cargo handler Menzies Aviation. The Menzies investment in Chicago Rockford International Airport is testament to our airport infrastructure and the efficiencies that can be achieved in air cargo outside of the large passenger hub airports.”
“Over the past eight years, we have invested over $200m in air cargo operations. This has grown RFD’s ability to handle large-scale operations, while remaining efficient and providing our partners with the ability to move goods quicker and saving them time and costs. With Emery Air, the first cargo handler to operate at RFD, and Menzies Aviation working on the field, we expect enhanced growth of our international cargo business.”
Menzies Aviation will occupy the 50,000 sq ft Building 3 of the International Cargo Center.
“We have agreed to a long-term lease with RFD to occupy a state-of-the-art facility that includes pharmaceutical handling capabilities. With direct airside access, we will provide cargo and freighter handling to chartered and scheduled flights by the middle of this year and will be hiring a team to run our operations in the coming months. As well as fitting out the new facility, we are aiming for most of the ground service equipment to be electric, to support Menzies’ goal of becoming neutral by 2033,” said Menzies Aviation executive vice president cargo Robert Fordree.
Menzies will create 60-70 additional jobs on airport grounds and recruitment will begin in the second quarter of the year. Jobs include cargo service agents, cargo clerical operations agents, ramp agents, load masters, in addition to leadership positions.
The company cited RFD’s size, location and “can do” attitude as selling points for its 72nd cargo location. Fordree noted: “Emphasis on the importance of secondary airports like RFD were highlighted during the pandemic as nearby passenger hubs reached capacity and carriers looked elsewhere. Despite the current, cyclical downturn in cargo volume, we see secondary airports becoming more attractive due to less congestion, lower costs and great surrounding infrastructure, which will expedite goods getting from airport to final destination.
“In combination, these benefits will result in significant carbon savings to the shippers. We are confident that, in partnership with RFD, we will attract scheduled freighters and specialised cargo.”
RFD is home to the second-largest UPS hub in North America, a major base of operations for Amazon Air, and serves numerous international airlines and freight forwarders including DB Schenker, Senator International and Atlas Air.
Image: Menzies Aviation
