Newark International Airport has emerged as one of the nation's fastest-growing airports, in the most active aviation market in the world. At the time of delivery, Airis' development of the International Air Cargo Center (IACC), increased the airport's freight-handling capacity by more than 33 percent.

First Private-Sector Development for PANYNJ

Projects under the purview of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey have traditionally been developed by the public sector. The awarding to Airis of a ground lease upon which the company constructed the International Air Cargo Center at Newark marked the first private-sector developed and financed airport project in PANYNJ history. Airis' comprehensive approach to facility development included not only design and construction, but also financing, and leasing.

What was it about Airis that caught the Port Authority's attention? Simply this: Although Airis is known for its preeminence in the fields of design and construction, it was recognized that developing the IACC would involve far more than expertise in these fields alone. Airis also offered incomparable financial strength, as a result of resources brought to the forefront by its owners and financial partners. For this project, Airis' work stood up to the most rigorous financial analysis. The project made excellent business sense both to the Port Authority and prospective IACC tenants. In a broader sense however, Airis created new ways to serve the public interest by offering creative solutions not restricted by tradition.

Project Details

Airis developed the International Air Cargo Center on 22 acres of land under a long-term ground lease agreement with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Financial backing has been provided by GE Capital Aviation Services as well as Ambac Assurance Corporation. The Center, a Class A facility located on the site of the original Newark passenger terminal, provides a 50-year service life and is designed and constructed to meet the highest certification standards. It is an aircraft-adjacent, multi-tenant complex specifically designed to create new levels of cargo processing efficiencies within an economical framework.

The IACC includes two major cargo buildings, totaling 262,000 sq. ft. of space, that promote superior cargo throughput logic and function. The facility has the capacity to accommodate 2 B-747 aircraft or 4 narrow-body aircraft on the adjacent public ramp. The leasehold however includes one 747 parking position dedicated to the users of the facility. The IACC design features are built around the latest standards of the air cargo industry. All building components are of high-grade, heavy-duty construction. The building structure in the cargo areas is long-span and column-free, which creates a more efficient work environment. The IACC features the largest dual-entry cold storage unit at the airport, along with three scissor lifts capable of handling upper deck equipment. Landside operations are enhanced by a large ratio of truck dock to cargo floor area. A dedicated 30-foot tugway connects the IACC with all passenger terminals.

Anchor tenants for the cargo facility are Virgin Atlantic, SAS, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and EVA Airways.