The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, published on 17 February, said that Puerto Rico has been expanding air cargo operations over the past several years.
Healthcare-related goods – including pharmaceuticals and medical devices – accounted for about half of the reported cargo volume leaving the country, according to Census trade data, said the report.
Speaking about Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, the report said: “We found that Puerto Rico’s international airport in San Juan has become increasingly important to air cargo operations.
“The airport has improved its airside infrastructure and has available cold storage space, which is essential for the island’s pharmaceutical exports.
“Puerto Rico’s expansion strategy has included working with industry to improve cargo handling and identify facility investments.”
Air cargo volume handled by Puerto Rico’s three international airports fluctuated between 2015 and 2024, hitting a low of 501m pounds in 2019 before increasing to 621m pounds in 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ air carrier data.
The largest of these airports, SJU, increased cargo volumes over this period. Meanwhile, volumes declined at the second largest airport, Rafael Hernández (BQN) in Aguadilla. Mercedita Airport (PSE) in Ponce is not regularly used as a cargo airport…
