The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is about to greatly increase the amount of cargo business coming into Alabama’s largest airport, thanks to a new partnership with Kuehne+Nagel, a global logistics company.

According to the Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA), the new partnership with Kuehne+Nagel is the first time it has joined forces with a logistics company. It is also the first time Kuehne+Nagel has established a presence at a secondary airport in North America.

Kuehne+Nagel will begin operating weekly international cargo flights into BHM starting in April 2023.

New Air Cargo Facility Coming

Last year, the Birmingham Airport Authority completed design work on a new $25 million Air Cargo facility. In May, BHM will break ground on the new facility. Initially, Kuehne+Nagel will operate from Kaiser Aircraft Industries’ hangar on the airfield, then move into the new Air Cargo facility at BHM upon completion. Construction is anticipated to take about 10 months.

“This is a moment that will change the trajectory of this airport,” said Darlene Wilson, Chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority. “The recent enhancements we’ve made to the infrastructure of the airfield, plans for a new Air Cargo facility, combined with this partnership with one of the leading logistics companies is getting us closer to realizing a long-term vision of expanding air cargo business in the region.”

Beneficial for Kuehne+Nagel

For Kuehne+Nagel the partnership with the BAA is beneficial because it helps the global logistics company meet the needs of their customers in the automotive, aviation, and pharmaceutical industries through features such as additional cargo capacity, temperature-controlled cargo space, and more.

“Since 1890, Kuehne+Nagel has been shaping the world of logistics with a strong determination to connect people and goods through logistics solutions, and this partnership with Birmingham Airport Authority is helping us continue this tradition in the U.S.,” said Greg Martin, Senior Vice President, Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel. “Through this partnership, we will have our first presence in Alabama, bringing us closer to our customers in the Southeastern Corridor.”

Operations Begin April 2nd

Kuehne+Nagel will begin operations at BHM on April 2nd, with an inaugural flight that will arrive from Stuttgart, Germany, marking the first cargo flight from Stuttgart, Germany to the eastern U.S.

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