SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project:  The Role of Air-Cargo in Facilitating Trans-Pacific Trade and Promoting Economic Development in Texas

Project Number:  167261

Principal Investigator:          
Leigh Boske
(512) 471-3305
P.I. Affiliation:  University of Texas at Austin

Project Monitor:
Dr. Frank Mulvey
Commissioner
Surface Transportation Board
(202) 565-1525

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/06

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/07

Estimated Cost – Current Fiscal:  $38,600

Estimated Cost – Total Planned:  $38,600

Project Summary:
Abstract:               
Air freight on trans-Pacific routes linking U.S. origins and destinations with those of China, Japan, and Korea grew over 200% between 1992 and 2003 as high-tech manufacturers and their time-sensitive shippers are locating at sites accessible to major airports to transport telecommunications equipment, information technology,  medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, software, and the like.

The search for Asian and U.S. air-cargo hubs is turning into a high-stakes battle for the future of air-freight flows across the Pacific Ocean. This is driving substantial investments in airports’ surrounding regions. And the jobs in time-sensitive industries that depend on air-cargo transport tend to be higher-paying than most other industrial sectors.

These transport trends are also evident at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (D/FW) and the Houston Airport System (HAS). This research will examine the nature of air-cargo operations at D/FW and HAS and selected air-cargo hubs in China, Japan, and Korea. It will also provide a greater understanding of the linkages between international trade, transportation, and Texas economic impacts.

Objectives:
This research project will examine the nature of air-cargo operations between D/FW and HAS and selected airport hubs in China, Japan, and Korea in terms of anticipated future flights, cargo volumes, and commodities hauled to acquire an understanding of the role of air freight in the trans-Pacific and Texas intermodal transport network and its contribution to the Texas economy.

Tasks:

Task 1.  Catalogue air cargo, express, and combination aircraft carriers offering trans-Pacific air-cargo services;

Task 2.  Examine the nature of their operations between D/FW and HAS and selected Asia intermodal hubs

Task 3.  Examine the nature of the commodities hauled

Task 4.  Derive linkages to economic impacts

Task 5.  Ascertain economic impacts on Texas

Task 6.  Ascertain future airport infrastructure needs

Task 7.  Compare growth in overall U.S.-China trade to air-cargo trade.

Task 8.  Write report

Index Terms:
Air Routes, Cargo Aircraft, Trade, Trade Routes, Air Cargo, Intermodal Transportation, Economic Development, Research Projects, Texas