On The Runway

Exciting Expansion at HIA: Enhancing Cargo Capabilities and Regional Connectivity

Posted by Hunter Rollman on

Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) is set to soar to new heights with the completion of a multi-year air cargo expansion project in time for the busy holiday shopping season in 2025.  Once completed, this project provides an expanded parking area for another three large cargo aircraft while improving regional stormwater drainage across airport property.

This year, Atlantic Contracting & Materials, Urban Engineers and AECOM are completing phase five of the project—a $16 million contract connecting the stormwater management system built from the Susquehanna River and under the runway last year, across taxiway Alpha to the site where nearly five acres of concrete will be poured next year for expanded aircraft parking. 

A large concrete plant was built on the airport to provide materials for the project

Air Cargo Significance

The world’s largest planes regularly use HIA to fly valuable air cargo in and out of our region to and from places all around the globe. Whether the cargo is a document, medical supplies, computer parts, manufactured items, or holiday gifts, FedEx, UPS, and others choose HIA due to our long runway, less crowded airspace, and easy access to the interstate highway system. More air cargo moves through HIA each year than at airports in “larger” cities like Nashville, St. Louis, and Buffalo.

An excavator removes old concrete and underground materials in preparation for a new section of concrete

Expansion Details

The cargo apron expansion program has been a series of projects that began in 2019:

  • The first project was the reconstruction of Airport Drive.
  • Next was the construction of a roundabout and improved roadway access to the air cargo and Air National Guard portion of the airport.
  • A third project was the construction of two 60-inch stormwater drain lines from the Susquehanna River, under runway 13/31 to taxiway Alpha.
  • This year includes the extension of the stormwater drainage system under Taxiway Alpha to the northern edge of the new cargo apron.
  • The last project will be the construction of the final expanded cargo apron and the connection of the new stormwater system to the new ramp and to the existing stormwater system.
  • More Expansion Details
Construction crew members prepare for the installation of a stormwater drainage system

Funding and Support

When people fly, or ship items by air, there are user fees and taxes collected as a portion of the ticket/shipping fee. These dollars are collected and distributed on a grant basis as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Grant Program. As a result, 90% of the project cost is paid by the FAA. 5% of the project is paid for via a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Aviation (funded by state user fees and taxes on aircraft fuel sales) and the last 5% is paid by the Airport Authority. This federal, state, and local partnership provides an effective way for airports to invest in infrastructure improvements to meet future aviation needs.

Benefits to Harrisburg International Airport

For HIA, the enlargement of the cargo apron provides more space to serve more aircraft while providing an opportunity for future development of a cargo sortation building adjacent to the new ramp. Combined, these efforts will allow the airport and its air cargo providers the opportunity to serve a larger share of the region’s growing air cargo business.

Stay tuned for more insights into the inner workings of our airport in future blog posts!

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