Erlanger, Ky. (March 25, 2021) – United Airlines is announcing new nonstop service from Cincinnati/Northern International Airport (CVG) to Portland, Maine (PWM); Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (HHH); Charleston, South Carolina (CHS); and Pensacola, Florida (PNS).Each new flight will operate three days a week beginning May 27th and May 28th. United will offer its upgraded premium regional jet service ([CRJ 550](https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kf4o3bb3kwh8l9r/AADP5TUD-6tPcTvTRkeDY3nLa?dl=0) images and B-Unitedroll) on each route with 10 First Class, 20 Premium Economy and 20 Regular Economy seating configurations. Tickets are available now at [united.com](https://www.united.com/en/us)."Throughout the pandemic, United has been strategic and thoughtful in adding flights to destinations that our customers want to visit," said Ankit Gupta, vice president of domestic network planning and scheduling at United Airlines. "With many customers now beginning to plan summer vacations in places where they can enjoy time outside, we look forward to offering new service to places like South Carolina’s Lowcountry and the most flights to Portland, Maine of any U.S. airline."The four destinations will complement United’s existing year-round and seasonal nonstop service to Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR) and Washington, D.C. (IAD).   “We are pleased United is expanding its number of nonstop destinations from CVG,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “Whether locals are looking to travel north or south, United is making it more convenient and comfortable than ever to reach these highly desirable vacation spots.”The planned schedule for each destination is:About UnitedUnited's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".About CVG AirportThe Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) has been serving passengers since 1947. CVG welcomed more than 9.1 million passengers in 2019, serving a record number of local passengers. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, CVG still offers the most nonstop destinations and the lowest average airfares in the region. As the 7th largest cargo airport in North America and home to the Amazon Air Hub and DHL Express Global Superhub, CVG is diversified in both passenger and cargo operations. With an annual impact of $6.8 billion on the local economy, the airport drives regional growth and remains a leader in innovation. Learn more about CVG and its response to COVID-19 at [CVGairport.com/FlyHealthy](https://www.cvgairport.com/flight/tips/flyhealthy).

_Service operated in partnership with Vacation Express from May 29th to August 8th._ _Flights will be operated with the 2nd youngest fleet in North America, using Airbus A320 aircraft._ _Renewed commitment to passengers’ health and well-being through a comprehensive program called Viva Contigo, aimed at providing a safe journey._Los Cabos, Southern Baja California, March 24, 2021 – Viva Aerobus, Mexico's ultra-low-cost carrier, will fly from Cincinnati, OH to Los Cabos (Mexico) from May 29th to August 8th. This new nonstop route will complement the flights that Viva already offers from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky market to Cancun. With this announcement, the airline reaffirms its commitment to enrich air connectivity at low fares, offering 150 routes – 34 international and 116 within Mexico.The airline offers this new seasonal route in strategic collaboration with Vacation Express, one of the largest and most experienced tour operators in the U.S., with more than 30 years of experience bringing tourists to Mexico.“We are pleased to partner with Viva Aerobus and Vacation Express to provide the only nonstop service from the region to Los Cabos,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG Airport. “Local travelers can now book directly with Viva Aerobus or book their entire vacation package through Vacation Express to the west coast of Mexico, a growing leisure destination for our region.”"The popularity of Los Cabos for vacationers from the Midwest is increasing year over year and our nonstop flights provide our clients with easy access to the destination at a great value,” said Rene Jongmans, President, Vacation Express. “Packages including airfare, hotel and transfers are now available and we are seeing lots of momentum from people eager to embrace the warmth of the beach again."Flights to Los Cabos will be offered once a week, arriving to Los Cabos on Sundays and flying back to Cincinnati on Saturdays, with some of the most affordable fares. These nonstop flights will be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with a 186-passenger-capacity and a 3-year average age, one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in North America.“Our new nonstop flights from Cincinnati to Los Cabos is great news for all of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, chief executive officer, Viva Aerobus. “Together with allies such as Vacation Express, we give a new choice to travel safely and at the best price to a key Mexican tourist destination. We bring closer and safer than ever these two cities with an affordable, reliable and flexible service with the youngest Mexican fleet and the 2nd youngest fleet in North America.”In partnership with Vacation Express, Viva Aerobus already offers nonstop flights every week, operated year-round, from Cincinnati to Cancun. Flights arrive to Cancun on Sundays and passengers can fly back to Cincinnati on Saturdays. Viva Aerobus will also operate in 2021 several charter flights for Vacation Express. For more information about these charter flights, please visit their website: [www.vacationexpress.com](http://www.vacationexpress.com/)With this new route, Viva Aerobus expands its presence in Los Cabos as it serves a growing demand of passengers with a new total of 7 routes to/from this Southern Baja California city. This new service is the result of Viva's commitment to keep one of the country's key tourism destinations connected with the rest of the world.The airline reaffirms its commitment to an operation that guarantees optimal hygiene, clean and safety measures. It implemented and reinforced the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization, US Federal Aviation Administration, the Mexican Ministry of Health, and the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency.These protocols include additional and daily aircraft and common areas decontamination, mandatory use of masks and gloves for the crew, focused personnel on keeping a safe distance, among many other procedures. All the measures can be found at [https://www.vivaaerobus.com/en/info/actions-covid-19](https://www.vivaaerobus.com/en/info/actions-covid-19).Passengers can purchase their tickets at the official Viva Aerobus website: https://www.vivaaerobus.com/mx, at the VivaTiendas, by dialing the Call Center (toll-free) 1-866-FLY-VIVA (1-866-359-8482), or at the Vacation Express website: [www.vacationexpress.com](http://www.vacationexpress.com/)\\\VIVA\\\About Viva AerobusViva Aerobus is Mexico's ultra-low-cost airline. It started operations in 2006 and today it operates the youngest Latin American fleet with 44 Airbus A320 and 4 A321s in 150 non–stop routes (116 domestic within Mexico and 34 international) to 56 destinations (40 domestic within Mexico and 16 international). With a clear vision to give all people the opportunity to fly, Viva Aerobus has democratized the airline industry with the lowest rates in Mexico and the lowest costs in Latin America, making their flights the best value offer. For more information please visit: [www.vivaaerobus.com/en](http://www.vivaaerobus.com/en)Press Contacts Walfred Castro, Corporate Communication Director of Viva Aerobus - [walfred.castro@vivaaerobus.com](mailto:walfred.castro@vivaaerobus.com) Tarssis Dessavre, Account executive for Viva Aerobus of PRoa Structura - tdo@proa.structura.com.mx – Tel. +52 55 5442 4642 - ext.26 / Mobile. +52 1 55 2751 1709

WLWT-TV 5 / March 15, 2021The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will be welcoming Alaska Airlines to CVG this May.Starting in May, the airport will have a nonstop flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport through Alaska Airlines."It's the perfect time to start planning your trip out west," CVG wrote in a [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/posts/10164821514205015).[](https://www.facebook.com/CVGairport/posts/10164821514205015) From Seattle, Alaska Airlines customers can continue their journeys to other West Coast destinations or the islands of Hawaii.Seattle is also a gateway to Asia with nonstop flights on its Global Partners to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.For more information on the airline, [click here.](https://www.alaskaair.com/)[FULL STORY HERE](https://www.wlwt.com/article/cvg-to-offer-nonstop-flight-to-seattle-on-alaska-airlines-this-may/35843604)

Cincinnati Enquirer / Randy Tucker / March 17 & 18, 2021Kyle Rickard and Shelby Blevins drove down from Dayton Tuesday to catch a flight to Denver from Cincinnati because of cheaper fares. "We got tickets for about $100 round trip, which was about $100 cheaper than flying out of Dayton,'' said Blevins, a 21-year-old student at Miami University who was headed to Denver with her cousin, Rickard, to visit relatives. "I'm off early for spring break, and he had some time off from his job, so we figured why not, especially at these prices.''Luckily, they arrived in plenty of time to check in because they spent more time than they expected searching for a parking spot among the sea of vehicles jammed into the main terminal parking garage at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport."I haven't seen this many people at the airport in a while,'' said Blevins, who said she's made the trip to Denver several times over the past year despite the ongoing pandemic. "It (COVID-19) is going to get me or it's not going to get me, but that hasn't stopped me from traveling.''That's good news for the airline industry, which saw passenger traffic plummet more than 90% last spring at the height of the pandemic, driving down ticket prices due to a lack of demand.But CVG and other U.S. airports have seen a surge in fliers this month as airlines continue to cater to travelers with low fares and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout assuages the fears of anxious fliers.A busy weekend at CVG, with busier ones to come-----------------------------------------------Nationwide, the Transportation Security Administration said it screened nearly 4 million passengers this past Friday through Sunday, the highest levels since the pandemic began.At CVG, between 8,000 and 9,000 people passed through the TSA checkpoint at the airport on March 11 and March 12 - the second-busiest days at the airport since the pandemic began, trailing only the weekend after Christmas last year, according to Mindy Kershner, a CVG spokeswoman.Those numbers were still about 40% lower than pre-pandemic traffic for the same days last year, but they're still an indication that the travel recovery is picking up steam.[FULL STORY HERE](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2021/03/18/cvg-airport-covid-19-vaccines-low-fares-boost-passenger-travel/4697682001/)

Erlanger, Ky. (March 15, 2021) – The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is moving critical infrastructure projects forward this year. One project beginning work this week is the rehabilitation of runway9/27, the airport’s longest and most utilized runway which directionally runs east/west.This runway is critical for air cargo operations at CVG, which supports jobs and economic vibrancy. Rehabilitation will consist of new asphalt, concrete, and lighting updates. The project began in the fall of 2020, and closure of the runway begins today. This will impact aircraft landings and takeoffs for approximately six months – moving much of the aircraft operations to other runways. During the project, air traffic to the east and west of the airport will likely decrease, and operations flying north and south of CVG will temporarily increase.To minimize impacts on operations and surrounding communities, CVG has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and cargo partners to compress the project schedule to one year (six-month closure timeframe) versus the typical two years it would take for a project of this size. The project represents a $69 million investment in airfield infrastructure.“We are grateful for the support and patience of the community and all partners involved as this important infrastructure update is completed,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “This project among others will position CVG well for pandemic recovery and future growth.”To learn more about the project, please visit this [link](https://www.cvgairport.com/about/NewHeights/runway-9-27-improvement).About CVG AirportThe Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) has been serving passengers since 1947. CVG welcomed more than 9.1 million passengers in 2019, serving a record number of local passengers. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, CVG still offers the most nonstop destinations and the lowest average airfares in the region. As the 7th largest cargo airport in North America and home to the Amazon Air Hub and DHL Express Global Superhub, CVG is diversified in both passenger and cargo operations. With an annual impact of $6.8 billion on the local economy, the airport drives regional growth and remains a leader in innovation. Learn more about CVG and its response to COVID-19 at CVGairport.com/FlyHealthy.

Erlanger, Ky. (March 11, 2021) – Spring Break travel season has begun and will last for the next month. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) estimates around 400,000 passengers from mid-March to mid-April, which is 50% of 2019 volumes.The busiest days for Spring Break travel will be Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The busiest weeks will likely be the week of March 22nd and April 12th.CVG remains the regional leader in offering the most nonstop destinations. The more popular destinations are Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale in Florida as well as the Rocky Mountain region. The airport has nonstop service to 12 different destinations in Florida. CVG is currently the only airport in the region with direct service to LAX, BOS, AZA (Mesa) and SLC during Spring Break travel. To review nonstop flights offered at CVG, please [check here](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cvgairport.com%2Fnonstopdestinations&data=04%7C01%7Csdeatherage%40cvgairport.com%7C02f50cf765ba4afa9a8908d8e4a5612f%7C6a1858161bcc4c24b4487abfacd1c666%7C0%7C0%7C637510747317339985%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=u4IRgoejvl5BVkNtMeaJ3uQC6ejFrDPF3YLyBj8FVHk%3D&reserved=0).Below are some tips and updates for those traveling in the coming weeks:Arrive to the airport two hours before your scheduled departure to avoid missing your flight. Parking is consolidated in the Terminal garage and may be limited. Various construction projects and utility work in the area are causing traffic issues and delays. CVG’s travel advisory page with maps is located [here](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cvgairport.com%2Fpark%2Fdirection%2Ftravel-advisory&data=04%7C01%7Csdeatherage%40cvgairport.com%7C02f50cf765ba4afa9a8908d8e4a5612f%7C6a1858161bcc4c24b4487abfacd1c666%7C0%7C0%7C637510747317349940%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8Lbcq568MD6vgi%2BIa%2BvByyikm5oJVDEvL4bue1FtfII%3D&reserved=0). [Rapid COVID-19 testing](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcvgairport.com%2Fflight%2Ftips%2Fflyhealthy%2Fcovid-testing-at-cvg&data=04%7C01%7Csdeatherage%40cvgairport.com%7C02f50cf765ba4afa9a8908d8e4a5612f%7C6a1858161bcc4c24b4487abfacd1c666%7C0%7C0%7C637510747317349940%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=q2D2T6MJtveCcPUxMoe8kJLOykSI29hA1s7Ywac31tU%3D&reserved=0) is now available on-site as an added convenience for travelers. CVG was the first airport in the Midwest to achieve global airport health accreditation in 2020. The airport continues to enhance its [Fly Healthy](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcvgairport.com%2Fflight%2Ftips%2Fflyhealthy&data=04%7C01%7Csdeatherage%40cvgairport.com%7C02f50cf765ba4afa9a8908d8e4a5612f%7C6a1858161bcc4c24b4487abfacd1c666%7C0%7C0%7C637510747317349940%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=OMySY%2Fg0mBjXyDJRUAuSdk8FIVeJR0ntEiIxNHdoUpA%3D&reserved=0) initiatives, including rigorous cleaning protocols and disinfecting. Plan your trip through the airport – those steps from the curb to the gate – maintaining physical distance. Pack appropriately – remember extra masks and hand sanitizer.“Passenger safety is our top priority as evidenced by our global health accreditation,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “As vaccine distribution picks up it is a good time to plan ahead and book that trip. We encourage passengers to visit our website which provides information, videos and links to resources for travelers to feel comfortable and confident when arriving back to the airport.”Across the country, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates daily passenger volume will remain well below pre-pandemic levels according to a [recent release](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress%2Freleases%2F2021%2F03%2F02%2Ftsa-strengthens-operational-readiness-advance-spring-break&data=04%7C01%7Csdeatherage%40cvgairport.com%7C02f50cf765ba4afa9a8908d8e4a5612f%7C6a1858161bcc4c24b4487abfacd1c666%7C0%7C0%7C637510747317359899%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=jw%2BBLFZMhrxB6jh2gM4g0RLVH2PMe3u8Yo%2FPppsVSMs%3D&reserved=0). The agency has strengthened its operational readiness in anticipation of some increase in travel and provided its own tips for navigating the security checkpoint.[](/flight/tips/peak-season-travel-tips)[Link to Travel Tips graphic](/flight/tips/peak-season-travel-tips)

The New York Times / January 13, 2021Hoping to catch up to a surge in demand for the speedy delivery of goods in the pandemic, airports are building new hubs for air cargo carriers.Since the pandemic started nearly a year ago, 15,000 fewer people arrive and depart daily from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, known as CVG. But its four runways handle a record amount of air cargo — nearly 4,000 tons a day. A new construction project there will become the center of Amazon Air’s national air transport network, [writes Keith Schneider for The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/business/air-cargo-airports-amazon.html).The new facility, under construction on a 640-acre site along the airport’s southern boundary, is scheduled to open in the fall. It will feature a 798,000-square-foot sorting center, seven-level parking structure and acres of freshly poured concrete to accommodate 20 aircraft.The new building is a signal measure of Amazon’s influence as the largest online retailer and its dedication to fast delivery. Both have helped generate a wave of air cargo construction at airports across the United States. FedEx, the world’s largest air cargo carrier, just opened a $290 million, 51-acre project at the Ontario International Airport in Southern California. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the second-largest air cargo airport in the United States after Memphis International Airport, is planning for $500 million in new freight and package handling and sorting facilities. At Chicago Rockford International, plans are underway to build a 90,000-square-foot cargo facility. As soon as it opens in the spring, the airport will start another 100,000-square-foot cargo project for DB Schenker, Emery Air and Senator International. “The traffic in cargo is responsible for all the new demand at airports now,” said Rex J. Edwards, an industry analyst and vice president of the Campbell-Hill Aviation Group, a Northern Virginia consulting firm. “That is the evolution of the business now.”[FULL STORY HERE](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/business/airports-shift-their-focus-to-air-cargo-to-meet-demand-for-next-day-delivery.html)

The Lane Report / Greg Paeth / March 1, 2021It’s a pretty good bet that 2021 will prove to be an extraordinary year for the tightly intertwined logistics and transportation industries in Northern Kentucky.That’s saying quite a bit in the wake of 2020, which will be cemented in our memories as the year that COVID-19 wreaked havoc on just about every aspect of our lives. Consider three vitally important stories that are expected to unfold this year:• Amazon, the million-ton gorilla of online retailing, is expected to open the first phase of its $1.5 billion air hub and distribution center in Northern Kentucky sometime before the 2021 holiday season. The company said it will create some 2,000 jobs once the entire facility is up and running on property owned by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), where Amazon is expected to handle 64 flights every day.• Repairs have been made to the Brent Spence Bridge, which was damaged in November by a fiery tractor-trailer collision. The bridge carries 160,000 cars per day – and it was designed to carry just 80,000. It is also one of the busiest trucking routes in the United States, with freight equaling 3% of the nation’s gross domestic product crossing the bridge each year. Northern Kentucky officials have long been advocating for funding to upgrade the bridge, which originally opened in 1963. Officials hope the crash and shutdown, which lasted nearly six weeks, will shine the light once again on the need to upgrade the critically important north-south truck route – one of the reasons why Kentucky has established itself as a logistics mecca for the country.• For the first time in 20 years, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky – the TANK bus system – will introduce what it calls a substantial “redesign” of its services as it eliminates six routes and begins to concentrate its efforts in high-population areas along existing routes. The move is designed to counter a decline in ridership in the region and elsewhere in the country that has been caused, in part, by low gas prices.As the potential impact of these topics indicates, 2021 may present an unsettling blend of good news and bad for everyone who’s immersed in logistics and transportation in the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky metropolitan region, where it’s estimated that more than 106,000 people work in those broadly defined categories. Of those, some 30,000 workers make their homes in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, according to Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. (Tri-ED), which focuses on economic development in three counties that have a combined population of about 385,000.In her job as the CEO of CVG, Candace McGraw had a free front-row seat for the complete spectrum of pandemic-related news.At one level, the airport and most of its employees managed to avoid skyrocketing infection rates that crippled some businesses, said McGraw, who oversees an institution that is said to have an annual economic impact of $6.8 billion and 14,500 “badged employees” who work for the airport or other companies located on airport property.Despite becoming only the third airport in the country to receive a COVID-related “Airport Health Accreditation” from an international trade association in mid-September, passengers stayed away and numbers declined dramatically throughout 2020.“With the pandemic, our passenger levels are down, of course, but compared with all airports throughout the country, we’re tracking – thankfully – slightly above the national level for airports our size. So we will likely finish this year with about 35% of the passengers we had in 2019, and that’s faring better than some of my airport colleagues,” McGraw said.For 2019, the airport reported 9.1 million passengers.As the COVID-19 crisis worsened late in the year, McGraw made it clear that CVG and the airline industry don’t expect an immediate bounce back. For 2021, passenger levels are projected at 50% of the 2019 total, McGraw said.“For 2021, our budget is projecting that we’ll be at about 50% of the 2019 passenger levels,” said McGraw, who noted that airfares now rank 92nd in the country with an average of $215, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.She also said that because of COVID-19, “cargo is booming.”“Throughout the pandemic, cargo is operating at (Christmas) holiday volumes and continues to do so,” said McGraw. In mid-November, she said, shipments were up 13.5% over last year, which had been a record year for the seventh-largest cargo airport in the country. “Cargo continues to be the bright spot. E-commerce has been accelerated by this pandemic.”Kentucky boasts that it’s the only state in the country with three international air shipping hubs: UPS in Louisville, and DHL and Amazon in Northern Kentucky, where those two companies temporarily share the DHL building, with some 2,000 DHL employees handling 90% of the German shipper’s deliveries to the U.S.Amazon, which broke ground on its Air Hub in May of 2019, operates 11 fulfillment centers in the state, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED). The company said that since 2010 it has created 14,500 full and part-time jobs in Kentucky, where it has invested $15 billion in infrastructure and wages.Atlas Air, an airfreight firm based in Purchase, N.Y., that has a “strategic relationship” with Amazon, is scheduled to open a new office a few miles from CVG in 2021. Atlas and other companies under its corporate umbrella operate the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freight aircraft, the company said.FEAM Aero opened a $19 million, 103,000-s.f. cargo hangar at CVG in January 2020. It accommodates wide-body 747 aircraft for maintenance, repair and overhaul. The company services DHL, WOW Air, Atlas Air and Amazon Air’s fleet at CVG. The project created 100 new, high-paying aircraft mechanic jobs, increasing FEAM Aero’s employment at CVG to 300 jobs.“Among CVG’s strategic goals are to grow air cargo operations, and develop available airport land, both of which are achieved with this project,” McGraw said.FedEx also has a substantial presence in Northern Kentucky, where 500 people work in a ground-package facility, according to KCED.Verst Logistics in Walton, which has about 1,900 employees in five states and is a major player in Northern Kentucky and elsewhere in the country, also felt the impact of the pandemic in both positive and negative ways.“We operate distribution centers for the largest grocery chain in the U.S. and as you can imagine, their volume has been through the roof,” said Paul Verst, chairman and CEO. “Also, with so many people working or staying at home, our e-commerce/ fulfillment customers are having a record year as well since so many people are ordering products online. From a negative perspective, our automotive customers closed plants for four to six weeks so we were forced to furlough employees on a temporary basis, but most – if not all – are back to work now.“We believe consumers will continue to purchase more products online after the pandemic is over, so we see a continued exponential increase in our e-commerce business,” said Verst, adding that revenues for 2020 have increased by “double digits.”“The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we all do business. Any company who thinks business will return as usual when this is over will more than likely not be here in the next year or two,” he said.It was a similar story at Total Quality Logistics (TQL), a Cincinnati company that describes itself as the largest privately held freight broker in the country.“National freight activity is drastically elevated compared to 2019 and TQL is certainly seeing this in day-to-day business,” said TQL President Kerry Byrne, whose company was ranked in November as the largest privately held company in Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Enquirer, with 2019 revenues of about $3.4 billion. “Grocery and e-commerce continue to occupy a large part of that, but we’re also seeing an uptick in lumber and metals due to growth in residential construction.”Robert Martinchenko, founder of LeanCor and senior vice president at Transplace, also said his company and its customers did well in 2020.“For our clients who need to transport essential products, we have experienced a remarkable surge in business. Now, we’re supporting shippers in managing the all-important holiday season. Our clients are also telling us that the necessary restocking of shelves will keep them busy until well into first quarter 2021,” Martinchenko said.The supply chain consulting and training firm made plenty of news in 2020, when it spent $4.4 million to move its headquarters to a new location in Florence and planned to add 53 jobs. Then in September, LeanCor was acquired by Transplace, a logistics technology and services firm in Frisco, Texas.The Castellini Group of Companies, one of the largest fresh produce distributors in the United States, completed the expansion of its facility in Wilder, Ky., in 2020. The expansion allowed for two of its business lines to work from one facility, making it more efficient.The 125-year-old company also unveiled an updated logo and website, complete with online ordering and tracking capabilities, and announced that the company would adopt a new, simpler name: Castellini.Riding into the futureAcross Northern Kentucky, many of the employees who keep Amazon, DHL and FedEx humming depend on TANK buses, according to Andrew Aiello, general manager of the bus system for Northern Kentucky.Aiello saw ridership plummet even though his passengers rode free from March through August. The bus system tried to reduce COVID-19 cases by eliminating contacts with drivers and the handling of currency or bus passes.As more and more downtown Cincinnati office workers began to work from home and gas prices remained low, monthly ridership fell from about 300,000 to 150,000, said Aiello, adding that the pandemic accentuated passenger decline that had been evident for the last five years.“Our experience was common for bus systems throughout the country. Bus ridership has seen a decline throughout the U.S,” he said.TANK redesigned its system in 2020 to offer more frequent service within a quarter mile of more densely populated areas and along routes people use to get to and from work. Changes took effect in January 2021.“More frequency has worked in other bus systems in the country,” Aiello said.The redesigned system will increase the number of people within walking distance to frequent transit by 155%, and increase the number of jobs within walking distance to frequent transit by 58%. TANK projects that the number of transportation-disadvantaged individuals within walking distance of frequent transit will increase by 157%; the number of revenue hours needed to operate the new system will decrease by 2.4%; and the number of peak vehicles needed will decrease by over 20%.[FULL STORY HERE](https://www.lanereport.com/138914/2021/03/cargo-is-booming-nky-logistics-officials-expect-surge-to-continue-transportation-officials-predict-slow-recovery/)

Cincinnati Enquirer / Cameron Knight / February 11, 2021Firefighter Jason Baumann was grilling a chicken dinner for his coworkers when he got a text.There were three doctors and a cooler containing a set of lungs that needed to get to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center fast."I thought it was a misspelling," Baumann said. "I didn't know what he was talking about."A plane carrying the transplant team and the organ was supposed to land at Lunken Airport, but the raging snowstorm forced the plane to divert and land at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.Luckily, the CVG Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Department had a four-wheel drive pickup truck and a man who knew the way. Baumann jumped in the truck and asked the doctors how long they had to get there.Two hours. That was the window.It was around 5 p.m. Traffic was gridlocked. Cincinnati police had already alerted the public that several roads in the city were completely impassable.The 11-year veteran firefighter used to work for UC Mobilecare, so he was very familiar with all the hospitals in Cincinnati."I told him, I don't know if we can do it, but we'll try. It was horrible conditions," Baumann said.With no radio, he stayed on the phone with his colleagues at the station. They had to plan route: Interstate 75 or 71."75 had wider shoulders," Baumann said. "It was the only deciding factor."With his lights flashing and sirens blazing, Baumann drove around the gridlocked traffic, plowing through the snow drifts on the shoulder.Four different times, drivers got scared or nervous and blocked his path. It took some hand waving and honk-honking, but they eventually let him pass."We only had one chance to do this," Baumann said. "If I would have spun out ... it would have been over. The family would have lost the organ."Back the station, his colleagues were trying to get a Cincinnati police escort for Baumann. At one point, a Cincinnati dispatcher called his cell phone directly to make it happen.Baumann made it all the way to Good Samaritan Hospital before the escort could meet up with him.Specialist Joe Stevens, a 33-year veteran with the Cincinnati Police Department, drove against traffic on Victory Parkway to reach Baumann and led him to the hospital."Every road was blocked by cars stuck in the snow," Stevens said.Finally, Baumann reached the main entrance of Children's Hospital. The doctors got out with the lungs and that was it.He made the trip in 65 minutes."It was definitely a relief. We made it there safe," Baumann said. "We made it there in time."With his job done, he turned off the lights and the sirens and drove back to work. It took an hour and 45 minutes."I told them what happened. They told me what they were doing back here," Baumann said. "After that we ate dinner. Grilled chicken breast and asparagus. They put me a plate in the microwave."Just another shift.Cincinnati police said they have been told that the transplant recipient is doing well. Children's Hospital officials said in a statement they cannot discuss any details of patient care, but thanked those who braved Wednesday storm."Cincinnati Children’s is grateful and thankful to the Cincinnati Police Department, CVG Fire Department and the pilots who helped out amid difficult conditions," the hospital said in a statement.[FULL STORY AND VIDEO HERE](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2021/02/11/cincinnati-police-firefighters-team-deliver-lungs-during-storm/6728848002/)