Northern Air Cargo expands service at the Laredo International Airport
Written by admin, Aug 24, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Timothy A. Franciscus-Timm,
Northern Air Cargo (NAC) and the City of Laredo are proud to announce that NAC will begin operating flights between Laredo, TX Ypsilanti, MI (Detroit, MI area) and El Paso, TX. “The City of Laredo is excited that Northern Air Cargo continues to expand their operations here. City and private sector representatives met with NAC representatives in 2009 to help convince them they needed to be in Laredo, and the announcement of their expanded service speaks to the success they have enjoyed in our City.” said Mayor Raul Salinas
In 2009, the Port of Laredo became the nation’s No. 1 import gateway for automotive parts, passing Detroit, MI. In exports, Laredo is second, only to Detroit. These figures speak to the importance of automotive cargo through the Port of Laredo and the importance of the Laredo International Airport for Just-in-Time shipments. “The City of Laredo has invested more than $174 million on airport infrastructure in the last 16 years. We continue to prepare the City’s infrastructure to handle the increased international trade that will move through our City. After the most recent $10.7 runway extension project was completed in July 2011, the Laredo International Airport now has the longest runway south of Austin, TX.” said Laredo City Manager, Carlos Villarreal
The company’s 737-300 will service the markets four times per week, Monday through Thursday. “We are excited about the opportunity to serve a market where we have seen potential for scheduled service for some time. Ultimately, this move is in response to our customers who have identified a lack of schedule service in the market.”, said David Karp, company President and CEO.
The company will commence the new service on September 12th, 2011. “Our belief is that schedule will allow for later cutoff times for freight coming across the border resulting in an overall improvement in the reliability of the supply chain.” The tentative schedule includes at 10pm (central) departure from Laredo, at 12:30am (central) departure from El Paso, and an early morning arrival in Ypsilanti. The flight will depart Ypsilanti at 5:30am (eastern) and arrive back in Laredo at 7:30am (central). Cut off times will be two hours prior to scheduled departure at all stations.
NAC operates fleet of 737 aircraft in the State of Alaska, but has been operating charter service on a regular basis out of their Texas base, Laredo International Airport, since December 2009.
“We continue to promote our Port of Entry as not only the best for Mexico, but Latin America. The addition of these expanded NAC services, strengthens Laredo’s position as the Number 1 Inland Port on the United States-Mexico border.”, said Mayor Raul Salinas.
