Jetplex Industrial Park

Avilution, an aviation technology company founded by Mark Spencer, cut the ribbon on its new cutting-edge facility at Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, Ala. on October 28, 2021.

“Thanks in large part to the vision and support of the Huntsville International Airport and the City of Huntsville, Avilution is pleased to establish this unique incubator for integrating and advancing both civilian and military avionics from traditional and non-traditional vendors through a modular open systems approach,” said Mark Spencer, Avilution Founder and XFS Architect. “This facility supports improving both existing legacy aircraft as well as the next generation of fixed wing, rotary wing, drones and urban air mobility.”

Since its founding in 2010, Avilution has developed a new and innovative avionics framework called eXtensible Flight System (XFS.) The XFS avionics platform provides a suite of applications from which a complete aircraft avionics system can be built using relatively commodity hardware from a variety of vendors. Avilution also provides engineering services, especially to augment the XFS product line. Some applications of the XFS system are used to build a graphical interface for radio, show and/or log engine monitoring systems, or drive and monitor the state of switches and/or relays. This framework allows for the rapid development of robust and future-proof avionics freeing the consumer from vendor lock-in and obsolescence. Avilution’s first packaged commercial offering, the Unpanel™, is a unique avionics package tailor-made for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) pilots.

“We are pleased to welcome Avilution as a partner at the Port of Huntsville,” said Rick Tucker, CEO of the Port of Huntsville. “We are excited that they have chosen Huntsville International Airport as their base of operations. Their combined operations will be in a newly constructed facility with 7,000 square feet of hangar space and 6,000 square feet of lab and office space and represents more than $3 million in capital investment. We work to provide our Port of Huntsville partners more than just a space for business; we also provide a helping hand in promoting and nurturing their business through community, regional and media partnerships that the Port of Huntsville maintains.”

International Intermodal Center

Kerry Logistics Network began new Trans-Pacific air freight service connecting multiple Asian locations to the USA via Huntsville International Airport in September 2021. Kerry centers on the Americas hub set up in Huntsville, Ala., USA with inaugural flights originating from Hong Kong. Backed by its excellent track record in the industry, the support of carriers, its customs clearance capacity and extensive coverage of major air transit hubs across different regions, KLN’s air freight business, from Asia to the world, surged in 2020.

Kerry operates inbound and outbound air cargo flights as well as trucking connections to provide seamless transportation of goods across the Americas. KLN will operate multiple aircraft on a weekly basis from select origins in Asia.

“HSV is home to the second longest runway in the Southeast United States at 12,600 feet along with a 10,000-foot runway, providing uncongested operations,” added Barbie Peek, Director of Business Development for the Port of Huntsville. “On-site U.S. Customs presence contributes to HSV’s more effective and efficient operation when compared to overcrowded gateways.”

Huntsville has a geographic advantage with highly competitive drive times from HSV to major markets, Peek added.

“HSV’s primary 26-state catchment area accounts for more than half of the US population and air export tonnage,” Peek said. “HSV’s infrastructure is a blueprint for success and a key ingredient for our new partner Kerry Logistics to be successful.”

New LATAM Star Route Began Direct Air Cargo Service from HSV to Brazil

The LATAM Star route began air cargo service direct from HSV to Brazil increasing opportunity for businesses. LATAM Group is offering the service in collaboration with freight forwarder DSV at Huntsville International Airport.

“We are thrilled to add this direct service to South America from Huntsville,” said Barbie Peek, Business Development Officer, Port of Huntsville. “With a supply chain pushed to the limit by the pandemic, cargo operations have struggled to keep up. The new LATAM Star service will provide a welcome remedy to businesses wishing to get their product to the Brazil market quickly and efficiently.”

Weekly Monday morning departures from Huntsville are scheduled to arrive the same day in Brazil. The route provides relief needed for a congested supply chain in offering a direct cargo load by DSV Air&Sea at the Huntsville International Airport.

“The relaunch of the route from Huntsville is proof of the opportunities created by the growth of our B767F fleet,” said Andrés Bianchi, LATAM Cargo CEO. “This allows us to provide differentiated solutions to our clients, regarding origins, destinations, and frequencies, and strengthen our connectivity to, from, and within South America.”

This unique collaboration is a quick turnkey solution, loaded and controlled by DSV Air & Sea with the full commitment and lift by LATAM. Routed in return from Viracopos, through Bogota and Miami – this full-service offer is a game changer for many looking for relief in this market.

“DSV has grown its Air Freight competencies and volumes over the last years, and with that we will continue to build on our strong and growing charter network,” said Mads Ravn, Executive Vice President, DSV Air&Sea. “The new Huntsville – Brazil – Bogota service is another add-on which expands the DSV Charter Network to the resurging Latin America region from the uncongested Huntsville International Airport.”

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and its affiliates are the main group of airlines in Latin America with presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to international operations inside Latin America and between it and Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean. The group has a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787, Airbus A321, A320, A320neo and A319 aircraft. 

Huntsville International Airport

New Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier Breeze Airways Chooses Huntsville

New “low fare, high-flex” Breeze Airways launched non-stop service on July 15, 2021, from Huntsville International Airport (HSV) to Charleston, SC (CHS), New Orleans, LA (MSY), and on July 22 for Tampa, FL (TPA) as part of its initial air service launch.

These new flights begin with Breeze Airlines service to Charleston and New Orleans with a special “champagne launch” on the nose of the arriving Embraer 190 jet airliner with Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman, Huntsville International Airport (HSV) CEO Rick Tucker, HSV Board Chairman Mark McDaniel, HSV board members, Jo Bonner, Chief of Staff, Governor of Alabama office, and local dignitaries participating.

“Huntsville, Alabama is booming, and it is exciting news that Breeze Airways is officially launching their non-stop service out of Huntsville International Airport,” said Governor Ivey. “We continue showing the world that Alabama is not only open for business, but that it is the best place to do business.”

“Huntsville’s dramatic growth and recurring designation as one of the best places to live in the country positions us to attract more residents and visitors. With this exciting investment from Breeze Airways, we can expand our airline capacity to reach even more destinations,” stated Mayor Tommy Battle.

“We are pleased to officially launch Breeze Airways service at HSV, said Mark McDaniel, HSV Board Chairman.  “The announcement of  Breeze Airways is an economic development announcement as important as any other because transportation is the key to economic growth and prosperity.  Our airport is the connection to other areas of the country and business opportunities found in those areas.”

“We are excited about the new service and expect our community will respond to the new ‘Seriously Nice’ and ultra-low fare air service by taking advantage of the flexibility offered by flying and supporting Breeze Airways,” commented HSV CEO Rick Tucker.

The airline offers seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app.

Additional Business Development Highlights:

• Frontier begins nonstop route from HSV to Denver International Airport
• HSV was charted at No. 21 in the continental U.S. for international air cargo
• HSV approved plans for construction of a new 111,000 square foot air cargo building for Kerry Logistics
• Shamrock Investments new Runway Distribution Center 100% leased
• Triad new 118,000 sq. ft. facility in Jetplex industrial Park 100% leased
• HSV and Signature announce new $12 million expansion and renovation of FBO facility