Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is No. 1 in North America, No. 3 in the World for Cargo Operations

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is No. 1 in North America, No. 3 in the World for Cargo Operations

Louisville's airport is a global powerhouse, set new record for cargo

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) continues to remain a global powerhouse for cargo operations according to Airports Council International (ACI) World. In 2025, SDF is the no. 1 busiest airport in North America and top three in the world for total loaded and unloaded cargo that excludes transit freight as shown in ACI World's preliminary World Airport Traffic Report. Louisville's airport saw a record-setting 7.49 billion pounds of cargo land and takeoff from its runways last year.

"Year after year, SDF continues to showcase the crucial link it plays in global commerce as billions of pounds of product and life-saving cargo move through our airport each day," said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville's airport. "As the proud home of UPS Worldport, we understand the importance that our airfield and airport play in the global supply chain. We celebrate our strong partnership with UPS and are proud of the continued success we are experiencing at SDF."

As a global leader for cargo, according to ACI World SDF is busier than airports in Incheon (Seoul), Korea; Doha, Quatar; Taipei, Taiwan and Guangzhou, China. For the first time ever, SDF surpassed Memphis International Airport (MEM) when compared among its North American peer cargo airports and continues to hold steady above Miami International Airport (MIA).

ACI World's annual World Airport Traffic Report follows a recent study by DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development that celebrated UPS Worldport at SDF as the world's no. 1 "superhub" and the largest express air cargo hub when considering daily flight activity, tonnage and volume capacity.

Biggest Year Yet for Cargo Handled

The 7.49 billion pounds of cargo handled at SDF last year marks its biggest year yet for cargo with a 13% increase compared to 2024, its previous record year. Among the world's Top 10 Cargo Airports, SDF and Miami were the two fastest growing airports for freight and mail last year, both with more than 13%. Globally, air cargo traffic growth was steady at nearly 3% and continues to be driven by strong e-commerce demand and on-going supply chain adjustments.

Crucial Infrastructure Investment

To ensure SDF's airfield is always ready for its cargo and passenger airline partners including future growth, the Louisville Regional Airport Authority has invested nearly $150 million in its airfield since 2019, with an additional $115 million-plus planned between now and 2028. This infrastructure investment is aimed at ensuring the airfield's integrity for the safe operation of all aircraft while also improving efficiencies and upgrading safety enhancements. Upcoming airfield projects include the reconstruction of Taxiways B and D, extension of Taxiway A, the addition of an Engineering Arresting Materials System (EMAS) to the East Runway, safety area grading improvements on the West Runway as well as various electrical and pavement upgrades.

Louisville's airports serve as a significant economic driver for the region and the state with $12.8 billion generated in annual economic impact from airport operations. Airport operations are responsible for nearly 90,000 direct and indirect jobs, or 1 in 8 jobs in Metro Louisville, as well as $551.1 million in state and local tax revenue. In Metro Louisville, this accounts for $1 of every $6 in local tax revenue.

Airports Council International is a worldwide trade association that formed in 1991 by airport operators to represent common interests and foster cooperation in the air transport industry. ACI World releases their preliminary World Airport Traffic Report each spring, followed by the final report in the summer. This annual report includes detailed information from more than 2,700 airports worldwide. Click here to read more about the ACI World's Preliminary 2025 World Airport Traffic Report including the list of the Top 10 airports for passenger traffic, cargo operations and aircraft movements.