US Commerce Secretary 'enthused' about St Louis-China air hub

US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has expressed enthusiasm about the prospects for a "thriving" air cargo operation between St Louis and China, but critics are doubtful.

Speaking on the sidelines of a World Trade Centre of St Louis sponsored luncheon, he noted that exports in the State of Missouri were up 35 per cent in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year, reported the St Louis Post Dispatch.

"You produce so many great things that are highly desired and are in great demand all over the world - transportation equipment, electronics, machinery and agriculture. You're well positioned to really take advantage of the fact that 95 per cent of the world's consumers live outside the borders of the United States," said Mr Locke.

"Once you have a robust airport here, focusing on freight, you have direct shipments to Japan to Singapore to Korea to Vietnam. That will really position St Louis as a hub of international trade," he said.

But aviation consultant Michael Boyd, of the Colorado-based Boyd Group International, disagreed. He told local KMOX radio that the "big idea" was "unworkable".

Said Mr Boyd: "It isn't going to happen. You've got to have air cargo shipped to a place where the stuff is used or being built, not shipped by truck for another day and a half to New York. I'd like to see it work, but it's one of those things that consultants make a lot of money on, and politicians get free trips to Beijing."
(Source:www.schednet.com)