Definition
Airports served by aircraft providing air transportation of cargo only, with an annual aggregate landed weight of at least 100 million pounds. They are one of the categories defined by the FAA under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
Plain English
Airports that primarily handle freight aircraft rather than passenger flights, and that move enough cargo each year to meet a minimum weight threshold set by the FAA.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA airport category discussions, airport planning, and descriptions of the national airport system.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing an airport's category helps pilots anticipate the type of traffic, services, and operating environment they will encounter. A cargo service airport may have heavy freighter operations, late-night activity, and limited passenger facilities.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as “any airport that handles cargo.” In FAA use, Cargo Service Airports are a specific category based on freight-only aircraft service and a yearly landed-weight threshold.
Example Sentence 1
Memphis International is one of the busiest cargo service airports in the country due to its role as a major freight hub.
Example Sentence 2
Cargo Service Airports often have specialized ramps and facilities for loading freight containers.