Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has long been revered as a major gateway for Asia-related air traffic. Although LAX boasts excellent cargo facilities, the airport is running out of cargo capacity and will not be able to handle forecasted growth. Southern California air cargo volumes are projected to reach 8 million tonnes by 2016. LAX is capable of handling 2.3 million annual tonnes.
Consequently, a number of alternative airports are springing up in neighboring Riverside and San Bernardino counties – a region known as the Inland Empire, to ease future demand constraints. Among them are San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT).
SBD advantages
The Southern California Association of Governments, which operates as the designated regional transportation planning agency, forecasts that SBD will service 1.17 million annual tonnes of air cargo by the year 2035.
Based on this forecast, and more conservative forecasts, SBD has dedicated sufficient ramp areas to provide peak hour parking for 27 narrow-body and wide-body cargo aircraft. Plans include the construction of approximately 500,000 square feet of cargo buildings and sufficient truck parking to accommodate projected demand.
“This is in addition to the capacity to handle cargo aircraft of any size, as evidenced by the charter all-cargo aircraft operators that have taken advantage of this congestion-free airport,” says Michael Burrows, SBD Assistant Director.
“These operators benefi t from the airport’s lack of operational restrictions, the on-airport US Customs and Border Protection agents, air traffic control services, the lowest fee structure in the region and friendly management.”
Air cargo operators will also benefit from the planned extension of the 3,048 metre runway, initially to an already constructed 3,231 metres and eventually to 3,477 metres. Classified as a Group VI runway, it can serve any aircraft, including the new Airbus 380. Plus, SBD, located 96.5 kilometres east of LAX, off ers interstate access to I-10, I-215 and I-30/I-210 in a congestionfree air corridor. It’s also within three kilometres of a major intermodal BNSF Railway facility.
“Development of airport facilities and infrastructure continues with over US$120 million currently in design and/or under construction,” remarks Burrows.
Targeted in SBD’s development: aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; general aviation services; passenger air carrier service; and air cargo service.
Heavy aircraft maintenance services are provided by a number of companies. They provide certificated maintenance and repair of both Boeing and Airbus aircraft under either Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 145 or European Aviation Safety Agency Part 145.
Fixed Base Operator, Million Air Interlink, Inc., has constructed a world class fixed base operator (FBO) at SBD to be known as Million Air San Bernardino. It includes an executive terminal and support facilities; and the management of the SBD fuel farm.
“The fuel farm provides ready access to large quantities of aviation fuel, which assures seamless operations at SBD,” Burrows says.
Work is also nearing completion on a major renovation and expansion of SBD passenger terminal building.
“This work, along with significant improvements to roadways, parking lots and other infrastructure positions the airport for major scheduled airline passenger operations anticipated to begin by the end of 2008,” he adds
LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT), operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) – the same entity that operates LAX, is located less than 50 miles from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It’s the second largest air cargo airport in Southern California behind LAX. UPS operates its Western Regional Hub there and provides direct flights to China.
ONT hosts regional air and trucking hub operations for UPS, as well as some of its China gateway activity. An advantage, the airport is located within the centre of a rapidly developing freight movement system that also includes two railroads, four major freeways and an expanding network of freight forwarders.
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved a lease agreement with Aeroterm to develop and manage the cargo centre.
“This is another big step in making ONT a major destination for air cargo,” said Jess Romo, ONT airport manager. “These new state-of-the-art air cargo facilities will enhance ONT’s role within the regional economy and provide important air cargo infrastructure for the airport. Promoting cargo operations at ONT is consistent with LAWA’s goals of regionalising passenger and cargo services.”
With cargo in the Southern California region expected to triple over the next 25 years, the 94-acre site provides a consolidated location for interlining, line-haul, forwarding, ground handling and many other cargo-related business models. ONT currently handles more than 600,000 tons of air freight each year.
