Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has welcomed a daily cargo service by freight integrator DHL – which has relocated from Boeing Field at King County International Airport to access Sea-Tac’s enhanced cargo facilities.
The express cargo carrier will operate 20 flights per week using Boeing 757 and 767 freighters. The addition of DHL marks the 7th new air carrier to announce service at Sea-Tac in 2016.
This includes cargo carriers Lufthansa Cargo (operated by AeroLogic) and ABX Air, along with a bellyhold service from Spirit (started in March), Volaris and Xiamen slated to begin later in the year. Virgin Atlantic also just announced service to Sea-Tac beginning in 2017.
Port of Seattle Commissioner, Courtney Gregorie says: “The investment we made to modernise and expand our airfield cargo facilities continues to pay off with cargo carriers moving to Sea-Tac to take advantage of the opportunities.
“The bright yellow planes of DHL mean green in the form of jobs and the ability to expand with the economic growth of the region. It’s another building block toward meeting the Port’s Century agenda goal of increasing air cargo at Sea-Tac.”
Last year, the Port spent $23 million in facility upgrades at Sea-Tac aimed to increase international trade-related business for cargo. The projects expanded two cargo areas to create expanded capacity for larger freighter operations which allows Sea-Tac to accommodate additional cargo business.
“Sea-Tac Airport provides DHL with growth opportunities as we continue to expand,” says Cain Moodie, vice president and head of operations for DHL Express US.
Sea-Tac handled 332,636 tonnes in 2015. The Port of Seattle has a goal to reach 750,000 tonnes by 2036.
