The Rise of Regional Airports Amid Nearshoring Trends

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The landscape of air cargo transport is undergoing a significant transformation as regional airports find their role growing amidst the nearshoring trend. As logistics strategies evolve, smaller airports are becoming vital for companies looking to streamline their shipping processes and enhance efficiency.

Pressures on Major Airports

Major U.S. airports are feeling the heat of congestion and limited capacity. Newark Liberty International Airport is experiencing this firsthand. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently announced reductions in scheduled arrivals and departures during peak hours. These caps, which limit movements to 28 operations per hour and instead to 34 when construction is paused, stem from ongoing air traffic control staffing shortages, alongside construction constraints. This situation creates friction for freight operators who already face difficulties accessing the busiest airports in the country.

Opportunities from Challenges

Ironically, while big airports struggle, regional sites are finding opportunities to shine. The rise of nearshoring is generating a demand for shorter and faster supply chains. As companies increasingly shift manufacturing from locations in Asia to Mexico, Central America, and the U.S., logistics strategies have to adapt. Cargo carriers are now considering underutilised regional airports as ideal alternatives that offer reduced congestion and quicker turnarounds, ultimately resulting in closer access to their industrial clients.

Examples of Regional Airports Rising to the Occasion

Take Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) as a prime example of this shift. Here, there is growing investor interest because of the airport’s capacity and potential. “Milwaukee has a 10,000-foot runway that can accommodate a 747, but it lacks adequate freight infrastructure,” stated Jack Rabenn, a vice president at Crow Holdings. The organization is currently developing a logistics warehousing space close to MKE, capitalising on the opportunities offered by this advantageous but underused site.

Regional Airport Advantages

Regional airports often come with several benefits for cargo shipments:

Fewer Delays: Reduced passenger traffic allows for quicker takeoffs and landings, a significant benefit for cargo transport.
Lower Costs: Expenses related to ground handling, storage, and fuel are generally lower at these airports compared to their larger counterparts.
Strategic Locations: Many regional airports are situated near manufacturing zones or last-mile distribution centers, improving logistics flows.
Development Ready: Airports that were former military or industrial sites often have the necessary infrastructure, such as widebody-capable runways.
Ideal for Nearshoring: Smaller airports align with the emerging preference for agile, frequent cross-border shipments, as opposed to relying on huge long-haul freight volumes.

Upcoming Challenges

Despite their advantages, not every regional airport is set to handle the upsurge in demand seamlessly. Some still lack proper customs support, cold chain infrastructure, or adequate airside development, which can pose setbacks. However, momentum in the U.S. marketplace for airfreight is projected to grow, indicating that carriers are increasingly warming to the idea of using regional hubs to bypass delays at traditional gateways.

The Future of Air Cargo Transport

A 2025 survey from The Economist Group indicated that a striking 88 percent of companies plan to reconfigure their logistics strategies, emphasising resilience and regional engagement. With freight volumes rising at regional hubs and a continued lumbering growth trend in the overall airfreight market—estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.10 percent from 2025 to 2033—smaller airports could very well become the next big thing in logistics. In a new world where shipping strategies are defined by speed and reliability, these airports certainly have the potential to take off.

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In summary, while regional airports may not yet possess the clout of larger airports, their growing importance in logistics, especially in air cargo transport, cannot be overlooked. They represent an opportunity for companies seeking efficient shipping solutions. Platforms like GetTransport.com provide affordable global cargo transportation coupled with versatile options to handle office or home moves, cargo deliveries, and transportation of larger items. These offerings underscore how such adaptations to the logistics landscape can meet diverse transportation needs efficiently and conveniently.

The evolving role of regional airports aligns perfectly with current logistics needs as more companies shift to nearshoring trends. These airports, with their strategic advantages, promise to play a pivotal role in the future of air cargo transport. Ordering your next shipment through GetTransport.com ensures you have access to those very advantages, combining competitive pricing with reliable services for all your transportation needs. GetTransport.com