Summary

  • LAX is one of the busiest cargo airports in the US, with FedEx as a dominant carrier, handling $153.13 billion in trade in 2022.
  • Miami International Airport handles 85% of air imports, 80% of Latin American and Caribbean exports, and is a designated pharmaceutical freight hub.
  • Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) serves as a hub to UPS Worldport, the largest automated package handling facility globally, handling 2,727,820 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023.

Airports worldwide are vital hubs for handling cargo, ensuring timely deliveries, and connecting businesses across continents. They facilitate the efficient movement of products, raw materials, and high-value items, contributing to economic growth and global connectivity. While the Hong Kong Airport consistently ranks as the busiest airport in the world in terms of cargo traffic, which are the busiest cargo airports in the US? Let’s take a look at the five busiest cargo airports in the US in 2023 and how these numbers compare to the previous years.

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A brief look at the busiest airports in Asia, Europe, and North America when it comes to freight traffic.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States. The airport has three cargo areas with 27 buildings, totaling approximately 2.6 million square feet and roughly 3.5 million sq. ft of aircraft ramp area.

The LAX Airport Sign.

Photo: Joseph Sohm | Shutterstock

Federal Express (FedEx) is the dominant airfreight carrier at LAX. Other major carriers include Polar Air Cargo and Atlas Air Inc. Kalitta Air LLC leads in mail cargo, accounting for 45.85% of total mail shipments.

A few numbers behind the trade and economics of cargo at LAX:

  • In 2022, trade at LAX was valued at $153.13 billion, with exports totaling $61.46 billion and imports at $91.67 billion.
  • LAX accounted for 11.75% of total freight cargo.
  • LAX processed over 2.13 million tons of cargo in 2023. This was a drop of almost 14% compared to the previous year.

Florida’s Busiest Airport

Miami International Airport (MIA) serves as a vital trade link, connecting businesses across the Americas. As the world’s largest gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, MIA handles a significant portion of all regional air imports and exports. The airport’s cargo categories span a wide spectrum, including perishable products, hi-tech commodities, telecommunications equipment, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and industrial machinery. With over 90 airlines operating at MIA, the airport is a bustling hub of year-round, two-way cargo traffic, showcasing the breadth of its operations.

Aerial view of Miami International Airport

Photo: Miami International Airport

MIA is designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a pharmaceutical freight hub as it ensures proper handling of sensitive pharma products shipped by air. The airport handled 2,525,591 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023 – 1% more than it did the previous year.

Let’s take a look at the statistics of this airport.

  • According to MIA airport, this fourth-busiest cargo airport in the US handles 85% of all air imports and 80% of all Latin American and Caribbean exports.
  • It offers service to over 160 cities on four continents, with dedicated freighter service to 112 global destinations.
  • MIA covers 3,300 acres and is Florida’s busiest airport for total aircraft operations and cargo traffic.

Main Hub Of United Parcel Service (UPS), Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)

The third busiest US airport in terms of cargo traffic is the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). The airport ranks as the sixth-busiest globally. In 2023, SDF handled an impressive 2,727,820 metric tonnes of cargo, freight, and mail.

A panoramic view of Louisville International Airport.

SDF serves as the central hub for, and is home to, the International air-sorting hub of United Parcel Service (UPS) – Worldport. While SDF doesn’t regularly schedule international passenger flights, it handles numerous international cargo flights through UPS Worldport. Cargo facilities cover approximately 2.6 million sq. ft. across three cargo areas and 3.5 million sq. ft. of aircraft ramp area.

Anchorage Airport

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is a crucial hub for air cargo traffic between Asia and North America. Its strategic location makes it a pivotal global supply chain hub. The airport handled 3,380,374 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023. This was a rise of 23% compared to 2019 but a drop of 2.4% compared to 2022.

A FedEx ramp at Anchorage airport

Photo: GingChen | Shutterstock

ANC’s unique position as a halfway point for cargo flights between Asia and major U.S. cities drives its success. Equidistant from Tokyo and New York, the airport is a virtual halfway point for cargo flights between Asia and major U.S. cities. Airlines optimize weight by filling only half the gas needed for the journey. They then stopped in Anchorage to refuel, allowing more space for valuable cargo.

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What Are The World’s Top Cargo Hubs?

The Busiest Cargo Airport In The United States: Memphis International Airport (MEM)

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the busiest cargo airport in the US, handling 3,381,211 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023. This was a drop of 4% compared to the previous year and a drop of 10.2% compared to 2019. The largest air cargo operator at MEM – FedEx – employs over 11,000 employees at its Memphis hub.

A McDonnell Douglas MD-11F of Memphis-based FedEx Express landing at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock

Facilities and Leasing at MEM:

  • UPS covers approximately 134 acres, and its facilities span 293,000 square feet.
  • Cargo East has a 1.4 million square feet ramp area, including secure storage and business-friendly spaces.
  • The airport offers short-term commercial building space, ranging from 4,000 to 200,000 square feet, for lease.

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