Transitioning Airport Into a Dedicated Perishable Air Cargo Complex

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) is serving as the lead technical consultant for the initiative to privatize the Airglades International Airport. As one of three airports actively engaged in the FAA Airport Privatization Pilot Program (APPP) initiative, CMT has been working with the private developer Airglades International Airport, LLC (AIA) and Hendry County in collaboration with the FAA towards final approval of what will be a highly transformative approach to airport development specific to perishable air cargo and management. Upon completion, the privatization of Airglades Airport, in Hendry County, will be a key component in the long-term capacity needs of South Florida that has been pursued for decades. CMT has been the lead consultant providing services for the private developer. Services have included airport and cargo planning, FAA coordination, benefit-cost analysis, air traffic analysis, financial analysis, business model development, industry, and governmental collaboration, and funding strategies.

The 2,700-acre Airglades International Airport is being developed to provide a permanent one-stop facility for perishable air cargo entering the United States specifically designed from stakeholder input. The new facility at Airglades will provide long-term capacity for perishable air cargo growth and maintain South Florida as the “gateway” to South and Central America. South Florida provides a wide range of multi-modal trade infrastructure, including shipping ports, rail lines, and the Miami International Airport, which handles 85 percent of all air cargo imports from South and Central America.

CMT has been working with AIA since the initial inception to what is now gaining significant momentum toward reality.