AFKLMP Cargo opens new warehouse at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) has opened a renovated warehouse at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, AFKLMP Cargo’s third cargo hub.

The renovated warehouse is designed to have increased capacity for pharma, plus 60% more plugs for ACT containers. This makes it possible to handle greater volumes of specialised cargo, including from oher airlines.

AFKLMP Cargo’s newly renovated facility meets its sustainability goals, said the company. By utilising energy efficient technologies, such as LED lighting and electric forklifts, it has reduced its energy consumption while maintaining operational efficiency.

Air France Cargo executive vice president Christophe Boucher said: “The Air France warehouse at O’Hare is a key asset with good growth outlook, which is why we have invested in both infrastructure and more resources at our Chicago hub. After a six-month renovation period, we are proud to share that the capacity of our Chicago warehouse has increased by a sizeable 40%.

“This growth is supplemented by a streamlining of operational processes and reassessing the safety compliance of our warehouse, ensuring that our ORD cargo hub has optimized efficiency in order to offer to our Air France and KLM customers a best-in-class service to serve the Midwest Region.”

Jamie Rhee, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner, said: “O’Hare International Airport is a vital economic engine for the entire Chicago region, and air freight has been a predominant driver of our growth over the last several years.

“AFKLMP Cargo’s warehouse renovation in the South Airfield helps bolster the capacity and efficiency of our cargo operations at one of the world’s great cargo hubs, and I thank the entire team at AFKLMP Cargo for their commitment to the Chicago market.”

Chicago O’Hare has seen an increase in network capacity and cargo volumes since November 2020. Over the past few years, there has been a notably higher demand for freight in the pharma, aerospace, chemical and e-commerce cargo sectors.