Delta expands Salt Lake airport presence with new Cargo Facility

Delta Air Lines has committed up to $18 million to develop a 48,000-square-foot air cargo hub at Salt Lake City International Airport, the airline has announced. 

The facility will be built in partnership with the Utah Inland Port Authority and Salt Lake City. 

Salt Lake City International and Los Angeles International are Delta’s western hubs. 

The Delta Cargo facility, which will undergo a full renovation and modernization after having previously been occupied by the United States Postal Service, will replace Delta’s current air cargo home at SLC and will significantly improve cargo operations, the company said.

“Delta is proud to partner with the UIPA and Salt Lake City International Airport to strengthen our cargo operations and better serve our customers in Utah and beyond,” said Peter Penseel, senior vice president of Delta Cargo. “Transforming the former USPS facility into a modern cargo hub reflects our long-term commitment to Salt Lake City and the role it plays in our global network.”

“This project is a game-changer for Utah’s air cargo infrastructure,” said Abby Osborne, chair of the Utah Inland Port Authority. “It enhances our capacity, strengthens our supply chain and keeps Utah-manufactured goods here in-state rather than rerouting through coastal gateways.”

The facility is scheduled to open in 2027. It will feature warehousing, refrigerated storage, shipping and receiving, administrative space and a customer lobby. Cold-chain capabilities will support high-value, temperature-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals and perishables, the airline said.

“Delta’s new cargo facility at Salt Lake City International Airport marks another key chapter in our partnership with the airline and I am confident this project will see benefits for Utah well into the future,” said Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “Delta has long been a key part of Utah’s economy and a vital catalyst in our state’s continued growth. This investment not only strengthens our state’s role in the global supply chain but also creates new opportunities for businesses and communities across Utah.”

Delta is Salt Lake City’s largest global carrier, operating more flights out of SLC than all other carriers combined, with 255 peak-day departures to nearly 100 destinations across the globe.

“Delta’s footprint in Salt Lake City is like their partnership with us — it just keeps growing,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Over the past year alone, they’ve added additional gates, nonstop routes and a pilot training center. Now, this cargo facility is yet another investment that supports local businesses, deepens global connections and builds resilient infrastructure for generations to come.”