Flyers flock to Huntsville airport, but cargo tariff worries remain
Huntsville International Airport Reports Record Passenger Traffic Amid Freight Uncertainty
Huntsville International Airport (HSV) achieved a record month for passenger traffic in May, welcoming 156,967 travelers—a 5.5% increase compared to May 2024. CEO Butch Roberts noted that passenger numbers are up 3.7% for the year to date, surpassing budget projections by 7.3%. In the freight sector, however, challenges are emerging amidst a global trade slowdown. Rail lifts at the International Intermodal Center increased by 6.2% year-over-year to 3,219, but this figure marked a decline from 4,400 lifts in March.
Roberts attributed fluctuating shipping patterns to inventory accumulation, as businesses anticipated potential tariff hikes under the Trump administration, resulting in the U.S. imposing a minimum 10% tariff on most imports. While revenues have risen nationally, the burden is being passed largely to consumers.
Air cargo from China continues to decline due to reduced demand, impacting HSV’s freight volumes, which dropped 29.5% in May to 4.63 million pounds. Year-to-date freight weights also fell by 26.6%. Barbie Peek, chief business development officer at the Port of Huntsville, indicated that cargo volumes remain strong due to existing clients in sectors like automotive parts and beverages, but noted a slowdown in expected volumes for June, typically a quieter month. The airport’s team is actively monitoring industry trends to align with customer needs during this period of economic uncertainty.
Read the complete article here: https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/06/flyers-flock-to-huntsville-airport-but-cargo-tariff-worries-remain.html
