News / Atlanta has the drive to be a top US cargo airport, but it may be a bumpy ride

© Alexey Novikov

Atlanta has set its sights on becoming a cutting-edge cargo airport – but faces several challenges.

Last year it saw growth of around 5-6%, a lower pace than the market average of 9%, despite Georgia’s pre-eminent position in US industry.

“Georgia is an economic powerhouse for the south-east,” said Elliott Paige, airport director for Hartfield-Jackson International Airport.

“We have industries related to the aerospace, automotive and pharmaceutical industries.”

However, one of the key challenges to growth, he acknowledges, is lack of sufficient cargo warehouse space.

“There are ...