Air freight is a popular form of transport for Washington producers, bringing their products to the Asian markets. The state’s primary gateway for exports is Sea-Tac International Airport. In 2016 it handled 366,000 tons of cargo, making it the 19th busiest airport in the nation. Almost 90 percent of its international cargo comes from Washington.
According to thelens.news, a new study plans to identify alternative airports in Washington where some of the new freight could possibly be shifted, while also finding ways to reduce congestion within the complex system products currently travel.
Compared to trucking, shipping and rail, air cargo handles a tiny portion of goods; just one percent of total global tonnage. However, airplanes can travel to areas otherwise inaccessible or deliver perishable products such as cherries much faster than other modes of travel.
This makes it a highly lucrative industry of around $100 billion annually. In Washington, Sea-Tac’s air freight yields an estimated $22.7 billion in annual economic value to the state.
