As the convenience of online shopping becomes more and more popular, the number of packages shipped and delivered by UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service continues to climb.  In fact, between Black Friday and the end of 2015, UPS and FedEx alone are expected to deliver about 920 million packages.  That is an average of 26 million each day!

The purpose of Harrisburg International Airport is to provide passenger and cargo airlines clean, safe and reliable facilities so our region stays connected to the global economy.  While most people think of HIA primarily for passenger travel, the air cargo operation is extremely important as well.

As of November 30^th, nearly 46,000 tons of air cargo as arrived and departed HIA on nearly 2,000 UPS and FedEx flights.  As you might expect, as the calendar approaches December 25^th, cargo flight activity increases.  In fact, it more than doubles!  On the busiest days—December 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd—hundreds of employees will work practically around the clock to load and unload more than 20 cargo flights each day on aircraft as large as a Boeing 747.   This year, a total of 19 747 departures are scheduled between 12/14 and 12/23—up from only eight in 2011.

As the holiday season progresses, keep an eye to the sky.  As you see large cargo aircraft arriving and departing, remember that what is taking place at HIA—often during the late night and early morning hours—is keeping you and your family, your business, and your customers, connected with today’s global economy.