Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) continues work on the Cargo Expansion Strategy announced last year as part of its partnership with Aviation Facilities Company Management (AFCO). A key initial element of the strategy is AFCO’s development of an air cargo and airport support facility on approximately nine acres of the former PHL economy parking lot. Currently in the pre-construction phase, the AFCO team expects to break ground on the new facility in the coming months.

James Tyrrell, PHL’s Chief Revenue Officer, addressed the partnership with AFCO as part of an overall commitment to support growing regional demand for air cargo and logistics in and around the airport: "We are excited to formalize our partnership with AFCO, with a Letter of Intent, for Phase 1 of the PHL Cargo Expansion Strategy. Together, we will increase capacity and expand air freight logistics options at PHL, with the development of new modern cargo and airside support facilities and the re-development of our existing facilities."

The proposed 70,000-square-foot facility will provide airport businesses with modern and efficient space for their operations and direct access to the airfield. The facility will be located near Terminal E and Runway 17/35.

Upon completion of the economy lot facility, several current tenants of Building C2 will relocate to the new facility, allowing for the repositioning of Building 

C2 and expanded cargo capacity and operations. The renovations at Building C2 will focus on facility infrastructure upgrades and on the creation of 35,000-40,000 sf of cargo processing.

In addition to supporting the Airport’s growing air cargo capacity and the need for air service around the greater Philadelphia area, the development’s importance to the region’s economy includes the creation of over 100 construction jobs. As part of a commitment with the City of Philadelphia, AFCO and the City are focused on outreach to diverse, local companies and talent and including them in the planning and development of these projects.

"We're excited to work with PHL and the businesses at the Airport on this much needed project," said AFCO’s President and CEO Chuck Stipancic. "The leadership team at PHL has a clear plan for upgrading the cargo facilities at the Airport, and this project is one of the first steps towards achieving the region’s goals."