As part of a major project to upgrade the cargo operations at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), ground handling agent Avflight is now operating from a temporary warehouse on the airport’s apron area.

The move completes the first phase of the upgrade project, with Lufthansa Cargo now operating from this former aircraft hangar.

The temporary warehouse’s more direct location allows for shorter handling times and offers opportunities to meet the requirements of special cargo shipments, such as animals, valuable cargo and dangerous goods shipments, even more comprehensively.

With currently more than 500 tonnes of cargo handled per year on seven weekly passenger flights, multiple truck connections to Chicago (ORD) and ad-hoc services offered, Detroit is an important location for Lufthansa Cargo in the automotive-driven region of Michigan with potential for expansion.

In the second phase of the project, Lufthansa Cargo will support Avflight in designing a new state-of-the-art cargo facility next to the existing structure, which the handling partner is under contract with the airport to construct.

Lufthansa Cargo is planning to move into the Avflight-operated facility when complete, which is expected by the end of 2024.

Henry Julicher, head of sales and handling Michigan and head of sales Midwest at Lufthansa Cargo, said: “In Detroit, there is a great demand for secure and professional transport solutions, for example, urgently needed components in the automotive sector. There is a lot of weekly freight traffic here between Michigan and the world, including destinations in Germany, Europe, South Africa, and Thailand.

“The expansion of our warehouse capacity in this direct apron accessible location helps us improve the handling processes for faster and more direct service, and also enables Lufthansa Cargo to offer additional premium products and services to our customers. Our dedicated ground handling agent, Avflight, is providing us with significant support in these endeavors.

“As a Michigan-based company with valuable market knowledge and enthusiasm to expand its service offering in the cargo segment, we are positive about what we have achieved so far and look forward to further cooperation.”

Stephanie Abeler, vice president and head of region Americas at Lufthansa Cargo, said: “Together with Avflight, we are creating an ideal basis with a future-oriented cargo location in Detroit to further position ourselves in the market as a reliable and professional partner for our cargo customers and thus actively implement the ‘enabling global business’ idea from Michigan by investing in a modern infrastructure as well as cost- and time-efficient handling processes.”