Realterm and SARAA forge strategic partnership to deliver new state-of-the-art cargo facility at Harrisburg International Airport

Realterm, an independent global investment manager focused on the transportation industry with more than 30 years of experience delivering airport and terminal support infrastructure, and the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) today announced a strategic partnership to develop a new state-of-the-art, flexible cargo facility at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT). The development will deliver up to 105,000 square feet of first-line cargo space designed for single or multi-tenant operations.

“MDT is dedicated to continued cargo growth, and this development is a direct expression of that vision,” said Jennifer Carter, Senior Vice President, Airport Affairs, Realterm. “The airport's strategic location at the heart of Central Pennsylvania, serving a region that has attracted major investment from global companies, makes MDT the natural choice for operators looking for a competitive advantage in the Mid-Atlantic.”

MDT processed over 55,000 tons of cargo in 2025, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World, reflecting the airport's growing role as a critical logistics node for Central Pennsylvania and the broader Mid-Atlantic region. Approximately 35% of the U.S. population lives within a six-hour drive of the airport, and MDT sits at the center of a thriving industrial region that has recently attracted major investment from companies including UPS, Bayer and Coca-Cola.

“This development represents the strength of our long-standing partnership with SARAA, and we see significant untapped demand at MDT,” said Alexi Lachambre, Senior Vice President, Investments, Airport Infrastructure, Realterm. “This is a rare opportunity in today's market, a readily developable first-line site served by a newly constructed aircraft ramp in a strategic U.S. distribution location.”

The new development will sit directly adjacent to the airfield apron, allowing aircraft to park at the building's doors and cargo to move straight from plane to warehouse. While the ultimate design will be customizable based on tenant operational needs, the facility could accommodate a single operator or be subdivided for up to four tenants, offering up to 105,000 square feet of warehouse space, eight airside drive-in doors, 40 landside loading dock doors and 180+ vehicle parking spots.

The 150-foot deep airside footprint will be paired with a 135-foot truck court, maximizing loading door availability and ensuring truck flow with dedicated emergency access routes. The building will be developed to LEED-certified standards, incorporating skylights, motion-sensor LED lighting, EV-ready infrastructure and an engineered slab capable of supporting specialized cargo needs including cooler spaces, floor scales and pallet lifts.

“MDT recently completed a $60 million expansion of our airside cargo apron and we are truly excited about the partnership with Realterm and the prospect of a new of a state-of-the-art modern air cargo facility which will complement that infrastructure investment,” Timothy J. Edwards, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority.

Harrisburg International Airport is centrally located with excellent highway access and an air cargo catchment area encompassing Central Pennsylvania, Baltimore (85 miles), Philadelphia (100 miles), Washington, D.C. (125 miles) and New York City (175 miles).