As e-commerce intensifies and supply chains demand speed and flexibility, many cargo-optimized regional airports spanning the Americas are gaining traction, offering a fast alternative to mega-hub congestion.
As major gateway hubs like Miami, JFK and São Paulo’s Guarulhos approach capacity limits, key surrounding regional airports are stepping in to relieve the pressure. These specialised facilities have positioned themselves to handle overflow traffic while streamlining last-mile logistics and offering expedited customs clearance, attractive advantages that resonate strongly with integrators and forwarders alike.
Their growing role extends beyond mere supplemental support; it represents a fundamental structural shift in the industry. Airports like Rockford (RFD) and Viracopos (VCP) are rapidly emerging as power players in high-growth trade corridors, particularly for time-sensitive e-commerce and pharmaceutical cargo.
Dallas–Fort Worth International (DFW)
Last year marked another strong performance for DFW, which processed 818,483 tonnes of air cargo maintaining its position as one of the US’s leading freight gateways. The airport serves as a key node for both UPS and American Airlines Cargo, and its expansion continues with the recent enhancement of its 19th Street cargo terminal. This ambitious project is adding 35,000 sq m of warehouse space alongside seven additional freighter parking positions.
Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW)
Located just north of DFW, Fort Worth Alliance Airport has carved out a distinctive role in the region by specializing exclusively in freight. AFW functions as a Southern regional hub for FedEx Express while also serving as an Amazon Air focus city. The airport’s cargo-centric approach includes privately developed infrastructure, complete absence of passenger service, and thus, minimal terminal congestion.
Chicago Rockford (RFD)
Chicago Rockford International Airport is a rising force in midwestern US air freight, ranking 13th nationally for cargo landed weight with 1.72 million tonnes in 2022, according to the FAA. RFD is UPS’s second-largest North American air hub, alongside Amazon Air operations, and boasts a 50-acre UPS ramp bolstered by multiple warehouses and comprehensive customs facilitation. The facility’s Federal Trade Zone status and abundant available land provide major support for its continued e-commerce growth trajectory.
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International (GIG)
Rio’s cargo transformation is a remarkable story of growth. Cargo tonnage soared from 40,014 tonnes in 2021 to 109,393 tonnes in 2024, an 173% increase. Early 2024 alone saw GIG process $6.4 billion in cargo, marking a post-privatisation high. Supporting this growth is ample infrastructure that includes over 55,000 sq m of bonded warehousing and sophisticated pharmaceutical and oil & gas facilities.
Viracopos International (VCP)
As a historically freight-centric hub, VCP leverages 77,000 sq m of cargo terminals, cold storage capabilities, live animal zones and express lanes. The airport’s operational model closely resembles US integrator hubs, operating within Brazil’s evolving infrastructure landscape to serve as a key gateway for South American trade flows.
Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport (SLA)
SLA, located in Salta, Argentina, serves as a key regional cargo hub in the country’s northwest. Strategically positioned for trade routes to Bolivia and Chile, it facilitates efficient air freight operations. The airport offers modern logistics infrastructure, supporting agricultural exports, regional manufacturing, and international cargo connectivity across South America and beyond.
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU)
Situated near Asunción, Paraguay, ASU functions as the country’s primary regional cargo hub. Supporting both import and export operations, it facilitates efficient freight handling for agricultural products, textiles, and electronics. With modern logistics infrastructure and strategic regional connectivity, the airport plays a vital role in Paraguay’s trade and economic development across South America.
Comparative analysis and emerging trends
Cargo-centric airports like AFW, RFD and VCP consistently showcase superior performance compared to mixed hubs during industry downturns, offering clear advantages including extensive land for expansion and integrator infrastructure, minimal delays, rapid customs processing, and built-in integrator support from FedEx, UPS and Amazon Air. These integrator and cargo-first airports are experiencing faster year-over-year growth rates compared to their often congested neighbouring passenger hubs.
Latin America continues closing the operational gap with North American counterparts. Since 2014 concessions, Brazilian airports have systematically upgraded terminals and streamlined operations, steadily enhancing regional freight capabilities.
To amplify these regional successes, the industry must focus on several key areas. Investing in infrastructural investments in expanding cargo terminals, ramps, and intermodal freight connections. Customs digitisation through electronic clearance adoption can also substantially reduce idle time. Regulatory incentives including lower fees and bond offerings will attract integrators, while public-private partnerships can utilise private capital, as demonstrated in AFW and Rio, to accelerate modernisation efforts.
These regional airports, from DFW’s mega-hub logistics capabilities to Rio’s explosive freight growth, are reshaping continental air-cargo flows. By prioritising cargo-first infrastructure and implementing supportive policies, The Americas can build a resilient, efficient freight network positioned closer to demand centres, enabling the region to capitalise on the next wave of supply chain transformation.
