Once Again, A Tale of Two Airports: MidAmerica, Lambert and International Cargo

Recently revealed air cargo plans at the MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois might have been taken by some St. Louisans as yet another Illinoisan attempt to “steal back the China hub”, after a tax incentives package for a cargo hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport failed to pass in the Missouri legislature last year.

Let’s take a closer look at what is happening on both sides of the Mississippi. I believe it will make clear that the two efforts are fundamentally different and would actually benefit each other.

Strategic Air cargo Inc., an investment group based in Chesterfield, wants to start its own cargo airline. It is planning to buy four Boeings 747, convert them to freighters and operate them between China and the Metro East. Part of the financing would have to come from the issuance of $550 Million in so-called conduit bonds by St. Clair County. These bonds will not be backed or guaranteed by the county so they form no liability for the tax payer.