Utah Aims to Lead Out in Air Cargo Logistics

Salt Lake City—During yesterday’s Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) board meeting, Sebastian Abril, UIPA’s Director of Air Freight Strategy and Development, presented an update on Utah’s emerging air cargo potential. Abril outlined strategic efforts to address inefficiencies and capitalize on opportunities in the state’s logistics sector, particularly air cargo’s role in supporting advanced manufacturing and other key industries.

“Logistics is the backbone of manufacturing decisions,” Abril said, referencing Deloitte research that indicates over 70% of advanced manufacturers consider logistics efficiency a critical factor in site selection. He emphasized Utah’s competitive advantages, including an 18-hour reach to 80 million people and growing air cargo capabilities, which make it an attractive location for industries like semiconductors, nutraceuticals, and biotech.

Addressing Inefficiencies

Abril highlighted significant inefficiencies in Utah’s air cargo system. “Approximately 94% of Utah’s qualifying air cargo is transported out of state,” he noted, describing the leakage as a “substantial loss for potential direct air cargo.” Furthermore, only 6% of the belly space on passenger flights from Salt Lake City International Airport is utilized for cargo, underscoring the need for more efficient use of existing infrastructure.

Temperature-controlled facilities also present a challenge. “If we want to start entertaining the vast majority of this cargo space, we need to address the lack of adequate temperature-controlled infrastructure,” Abril said, stressing its importance for handling sensitive cargo, particularly for life sciences and medical equipment.

Collaboration with Salt Lake City International Airport

Abril praised the collaboration between UIPA and Salt Lake City International Airport. “They’ve been incredibly accommodating,” he said. “We are working hand in hand, and I think we’re making the case for why air cargo is pivotal to where we’re going forward.”

A key milestone will be the upcoming Delta Air Lines flight to Incheon, South Korea, in June 2025. “That’s a major step forward,” Abril said. “It opens an import and export lane with a wide-body aircraft, significantly benefiting manufacturers and freight forwarders targeting the Asia-Pacific region.”

Building Capacity and Resilience

To advance Utah’s air cargo capabilities, Abril underscored the need for wide-body aircraft and freighter services, which are essential for moving large freight. “We already have all the eggs—the manufacturing is here,” he said. “What we need is the equipment.”

These efforts align with UIPA’s broader strategy to enhance operational resilience. “We don’t want to introduce solutions that go away as soon as something changes,” Abril said. “We’re creating operational resilience by priming the market to support this over decades, ensuring sustainable growth.”

Environmental Considerations

Environmental impact was another focus of the discussion. Board member and Salt Lake City Council Member, Victoria Petro, raised questions about how air cargo could reduce truck traffic and associated emissions. “Every time we add an international flight, there’s a little lump in our throats about air quality impacts,” Petro said, emphasizing the need for data-driven insights.

Abril acknowledged the concerns and explained that shifting cargo from truck to air could mitigate emissions by reducing long-haul freight transport. Bill Wyatt, UIPA board member and executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports, added that transitioning to electric ground service equipment at Salt Lake City International further supports environmental goals.

A Holistic Logistics Vision

The presentation is part of UIPA’s ongoing effort to implement a comprehensive statewide logistics strategy. “The why in my mind has very much been settled,” said Ben Hart, executive director of UIPA. “Air cargo is an incredible opportunity for Utah, and these efforts will help move the needle for the state’s economy.”

UIPA plans to bring actionable proposals to public board meetings in 2025, with a continued focus on collaboration with Salt Lake City International Airport and other stakeholders to solidify Utah’s position as an air cargo gateway.

Published: 12/12/24
Author: Kaitlin Felsted