Minneapolis-Saint Paul air cargo study

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul Task Force commissioned this study. It was established to address the apparent decline in air cargo through Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport in recent years. Distribution services, especially international air cargo, are strategic components of a region's infrastructure. They are essential to future growth and development as well as the economic success of established business and industry. Airport growth is constrained by residential encroachment, community standards and increasing sensitivity to night jet operations while increased passenger air travel stresses current airport capacity. Further, increasingly congested interstates and highways encumber the ground transport system. Given these realities and the pressures of global competition, planning future development of an area, airport, and distribution infrastructure, today requires a fresh approach and new thinking. This study has striven to identify the best way forward for the Twin Cities and the surrounding region and perhaps create a national model for regional freight transport planning encompassing all stakeholder needs including a secure operating environment