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Delta Air Lines remains fully committed to Utah, with the commitment of a $18 million state-of-the-art cargo facility on the grounds of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The new facility will cover up to 48,000 square feet, reaffirming the carrier's stronghold at the airport. This development has been made possible through a loan with Salt Lake City and the Utah Inland Port Authority, which will help develop the new state-of-the-art cargo hub. SLC is a major gateway for the inner-mountain West, and Delta remains the largest operator at the airport, with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics outlining that the airline operates more than 56% of all operations at the airport. A New Modern Hub The location of the new cargo facility will be made possible through an extensive renovation of the former United States Postal Service Building. This will become the new home for Delta's cargo operations at SLC, and will see the airline vacate its current air cargo facility. It is expected that the new facility will significantly improve operational efficiency for the carrier and airport. It is expected that the new cargo hub will open by 2027 and include significant investment for refrigerated storage, shipping, warehousing, and administrative spaces. Cold chain capabilities will further support high-value, temperature-sensitive goods, which can include pharmaceuticals and other perishable items. Peter Penseel, Senior Vice President for Delta Cargo, explains as per the carrier's media release: “Delta is proud to partner with the UIPA and Salt Lake City International Airport to strengthen our cargo operations and better serve our customers in Utah and beyond. Transforming the former USPS facility into a modern cargo hub reflects our long-term commitment to Salt Lake City and the role it plays in our global network.” Continued Commitment At SLC The investment in this cargo facility at SLC strengthens not only the airline's role in the global supply chain but also creates new opportunities for business across the state. Improving capacity should support Utah-manufactured goods can be dispatched and shipped straight from SLC, instead of the need to be rerouted through other US gateways. As already outlined, Salt Lake City remains a key market for Delta Air Lines, and the SkyTeam member remains the largest carrier at the airport, providing more flights than all of the competition combined. At its peak, Delta operates more than 270 flights per day from the airport to both domestic and international destinations. A snapshot below of the market share Delta maintains at SLC as per data from BTS: Long-haul routes offered by Delta at SLC include three European gateways: London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The addition of two new long-haul services will also take flight before the end of the year, adding Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), Peru, and Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN), South Korea. Delta Cargo At Salt Lake City Making the new facility possible has been done so through a loan from the Utah Inland Port Authority, with the investment expected to positively support and develop not just Delta Air Lines, but also other manufacturers across the state. This will provide a reliable, immediate cargo facility at the airport, instead of relying on other West Coast gateways such as Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. While Delta does not operate dedicated cargo aircraft, its frequent scheduled passenger flights provide robust capacity across its growing SLC network. Across the carrier's wider global network, the airline boasts it carries 'billions of cargo ton-miles each year'.
