Groveport Messenger - May 2nd, 2021

PAGE 12 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - May 2, 2021
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Rickenbacker celebrates 500th
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Photo courtesy of Rickenbacker international Airport
Rickenbacker International Airport recently welcomed its 500th
passenger-freighter since start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reach over
22,000 Households
In a feat of innovation, strength and flexibility,
the team at Rickenbacker
International Airport recently welcomed its
500th passenger-freighter.
Rickenbacker is one of the few non-passenger
hub airports to accommodate these
unique cargo-only flights, which began as a
solution to decreased travel and increased
air freight demand during the pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, passenger aircraft
served as a critical component of the air
freight system, carrying several tons of cargo
in addition to passenger baggage. When
global air travel slowed, enterprising airlines
began operating passenger-freighters–passenger
aircraft with cargo loaded into seats,
or into the cabins with seats removed.
“This innovative solution highlights the
adaptability and ingenuity of the entire air cargo community,
including our airline and freight forwarding
partners, US Customs and Border Protection, and our
amazing aircraft handling team at Rickenbacker,” said
Joseph R. Nardone, President & CEO for the
Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “Today’s milestone
demonstrates the value of working with one of
the world’s only cargo-focused airports. Not every airport
can pull off what we’ve accomplished.”
Rickenbacker’s first passenger-freighter arrived
May 28, 2020 from Emirates SkyCargo. The airport
now sees regular passenger-freighters from Emirates,
Etihad Airways, Korean Airlines, Philippine
Airlines and Qatar Airways.
As disruption to the global supply chain
continues, the airport expects this group of
premier global air carriers to continue growing.
“Emirates would like to extend its heartiest
congratulations to Rickenbacker Airport
on its passenger-freighter milestone and we
are delighted to have operated both the first
and the 500th passenger-freighter flights to
the airport,” said Hiran Perera, Emirates
Senior Vice President, Cargo Planning &
Freighters. “The COVID-19 pandemic has
reinforced the importance of air cargo connectivity
in delivering essential goods such
as PPE rapidly to communities and
Rickenbacker Airport has been a strategic
partner for Emirates SkyCargo in North
America. We are grateful to the entire team
at LCK who have been extremely responsive
and supportive of our requests over the last
year.”
The increase in these types of flights has
also required increased attention from US
Customs and Border Protection partners.
“CBP appreciates the strong partnership
that we have with the Columbus Regional
Airport Authority,” said Theodor W. Thomas,
Port Director for CBP. “I am extremely proud
of the dedication and hard work of all of our
local CBP Officers who have continued to
process both International Flight Crew
Members and cargo throughout the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts have
ensured that critical PPE has been made
available to first responders and medical personnel
throughout the region.”
It’s estimated that more than one million
boxes of consumer goods and manufacturing
components have arrived at Rickenbacker
aboard the 500 passenger-freighters before
continuing their journey elsewhere.
Rickenbacker is one of the world’s only cargofocused
airports, moving airfreight between
planes and trucks faster than any other global
gateway.