New data issued at the start of February 2010 has highlighted how Memphis International Airport remains the biggest cargo airport in the world – a position it has held since the early 1990s. While Hong Kong International Airport was still the second-busiest, Memphis strengthened its performance by furthering its lead over the Far Eastern hub.

More cargo arrived and left Memphis International Airport during 2009 than at any other comparable location. With four runways, this airport handles both commercial and freight traffic and – in terms of the latter – it’s the home base of FedEx Express, which carries more freight around the globe than anyone else.

Largest Cargo Airport

The total volume of freight handled by Memphis International Airport last year that made it the world’s largest cargo airport was 3,697,806 tons – a nought-point-four per cent increase on 2008’s 3,696,190 tons. Hong Kong, meanwhile, witnessed a seven per cent decrease to a new total of 3.35 million tons.

It should be noted that these results are preliminary: final results are set to be issued by Airports Council International in two months time.

Memphis’ results occurred within the context of a general air cargo slump of over ten per cent: a drop on a level not experienced since the Second World War – according to the International Air Transport Association.

“The global recession hurt Asia more than other regions, and FedEx rerouted more aircraft through Memphis at the expense of their other regional hubs, due to operational and cost savings of doing so”, Larry Cox – Chief Executive Officer of Memphis International Airport Authority – said in a statement.

Memphis Airport Cargo

Memphis International Airport was originally established prior to World War Two, and it started to be used by FedEx Express in the early 1970s. Memphis Airport cargo leaves the hub in order to reach locations around the world.

FedEx operates a wide range of aircraft, within which Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas products – such as the Airbus A300, Boeing 727, Boeing 757 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 – dominate.