GSP Celebrates Opening of $33 Million Cargo Facility
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) celebrated the opening of a $33 million air cargo facility which significantly increases the airport’s ability to handle domestic and international freight. In recent years air cargo volume and demand for freight services in the southeastern United States has increased dramatically. The new facility positions the Upstate and GSP to capitalize on this growth.
“The opening of our new air cargo facility will begin a special new chapter for GSP,” said Dave Edwards, the airport’s president and CEO. “GSP’s ability to be a hub for cargo has attracted many companies to the Upstate since the 1960s. This new facility allows GSP to take the region’s logistics infrastructure to new heights.”
The 110,000 square-foot cargo facility and its 17-acre apron allow the airport to accommodate up to three Boeing 747-800 freighter aircraft simultaneously; tripling the airport’s previous handling capacity. Senator International, a German-based freight forwarder, will lease half of the facility to support its Senator Atlantic Bridge (SAB) flights from GSP to Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) with twice-weekly connecting service to Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Senator International is very proud to celebrate this new milestone and together with the South Carolina business community, the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, all our valued clients and business partners, we will continue to grow the air cargo operation here at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport,” said Tim Kirschbaum, chairman and CEO of Senator International.
Senator’s new location is tailor-made to serve their international client base by offering overhead crane capabilities with lift capability up to 20 tons and a Cyro Farm which can be used to cool specialized healthcare equipment. The new design and setup will enable Senator to optimize its processes and meet the timelines of their clients by guaranteeing faster lead times.
South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette stated, “As we work to retain and build upon our position on the global industrial stage, we must continue to provide companies with access to international markets. Moving cargo is an essential step in the supply chain and having the capacity to handle varying types of freight is an invaluable resource for business growth. This new cargo facility at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is one more step in our ongoing efforts to provide unmatched connectivity, ensuring that South Carolina continues to soar into the future.”
