Regional Airports Are Poised to Become the New Stars of U.S. Air Cargo
Mounting Pressure at Major Airports
Major U.S. airports such as JFK (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), and ORD (Chicago) are under increasing strain due to severe congestion and limited infrastructure capacity.
Case in point:
At Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the FAA announced it would reduce peak-time arrivals and departures to just 28 operations per hour during construction (normally 34). Reasons include:
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Shortage of air traffic control personnel
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Ongoing construction projects
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Chronic flight delays
Impact: These restrictions are making it even harder for cargo carriers to access the busiest airports in the U.S.
Nearshoring Is Unlocking New Opportunities
The shift toward nearshoring—relocating production from Asia to Mexico, Central America, or within the U.S.—is transforming supply chain strategies:
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U.S. companies want shorter supply chains
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Emphasis on speed and flexibility
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Rising demand for smaller but more efficient airports
Regional Airports – The Smart Alternative for Cargo
Regional or mid-size airports like:
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Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE)
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Rickenbacker (LCK)
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Ontario (ONT)
…are emerging as smart logistics hubs because they offer:
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Long runways capable of handling large aircraft like the Boeing 747
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Low airspace congestion
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Close proximity to manufacturing and distribution centers
Example – Milwaukee (MKE):
This airport features a 10,000-foot runway but lacks extensive freight infrastructure. Investors such as Crow Holdings are addressing that by developing nearly 300,000 sq ft of logistics warehousing nearby to capitalize on the opportunity.
A New Supply Chain Playbook
According to a 2025 Economist Group survey:
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88% of companies plan to restructure their logistics strategies this year
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Priorities include:
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Resilience
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Diversification
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Regional trade flows
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As more freight moves between Mexico and the U.S., or between secondary U.S. cities, the traditional dependence on mega-hubs may decline.
Advantages of Regional Airports
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Fewer delays | Less commercial traffic means faster takeoff and landing slots |
| Lower costs | Cheaper ground handling, fuel, and storage |
| Strategic location | Near industrial zones and last-mile distribution centers |
| Ready for development | Many former military or industrial airports have widebody-ready runways and surrounding land |
| Nearshoring-friendly | Suited for high-frequency, short-haul, cross-border cargo movements |
Not all regional airports are ready to scale. Some face limitations such as:
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Lack of customs clearance capabilities
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Insufficient cold chain infrastructure
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Need for more airside cargo facilities
However, as demand increases, investment and development are accelerating across many of these airports.
Market Outlook
According to IMARC Group:
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The U.S. air cargo market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.10% from 2025 to 2033
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Freight volumes at regional airports are steadily rising
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More carriers are re-routing to avoid delays at legacy hubs
Conclusion: “Smaller Airports, Bigger Role”
Though they may lack the prestige of airports like JFK or LAX, regional airports are quickly becoming vital to modern cargo logistics, where speed, proximity, and efficiency take precedence.
In the era of nearshoring and simplified supply chains, regional airports might just become the future of U.S. air freight.
Contact Tan Son Nhat Cargo now for detailed consultation and support
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