Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 8

176 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 8 Royal Airforce. After the war, the airport was decommissioned and turned over to Hendry County who have run it as a general aviation facility ever since. Over the last few years, it has been used for private aircraft, flight schools, skydiving schools, and crop dusting. Through the last decade, however, this exciting new cargo logistics idea has percolated and developed. Miami International Airport is currently the busiest airport in the U.S. when it comes to importing cargo and perishable goods. In particular, they handle 79 percent of all air imports and 74 percent of all exports from the Latin American and Caribbean regions. So, as the top hub for receiving flowers, seafood, produce, and other perishables, they are stretched to the limit. The question begs, what if there was a fully equipped modern alternative that focused solely on the perishable market? That is what Airglades hopes to become. The $300 million project is jointly owned by three parties, with Florida Cargo Fresh having 49 percent, and 51 percent is split between the U.S. Sugar Corporation and Hilliard Brothers, a diversified agricultural operation. The project would accomplish something that has never been done before, creating the first airport to be purchased by private capital. “Right now, we are at the stage of solidifying contracts,” says Rentz. “We need to have guaranteed volumes from importers and growers – and these volumes are the pounds of perishable goods that are coming to date through Miami International Airport. Once we have those contracts in hand, we will turn to marketing the investment portion of the project. Then we will continue to build the infrastructure.” Lillie B. Rentz, Airport Manager Riddle Field Riddle Field