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Over 1 billion pounds of mail, express packages and freight was handled at Logan International Airport during the calendar year 2000, according to Massport's year end summary. The total cargo for that period was 1,047,249,667 pounds, a 6 percent increase over calendar year 1999.

The increase was driven by sharp growth in domestic freight and domestic mail, up by 17.4 percent and 19.6 percent respectively. Industry watchers attribute increases to the growth of e-commerce and purchasers' preference for over-night deliveries.

International air freight traffic grew at a slower pace, showing a 2 percent increase overall due to strong import shipments and a freighter service operated to Europe during the first quarter.

"New England's key industries of computer software, high tech electronics, medical equipment and seafood rely on Logan to move their products quickly and efficiently to national and international markets," said Virginia Buckingham, Massport's executive director and CEO. "Achieving this cargo milestone reminds us that our improvements at Logan are focused not only on maintaining it as a convenient gateway for travelers, but also as a vital link in sustaining New England's economic growth and satisfying the purchasing needs of local residents."

Despite the increase in cargo, the number of flights in and out of Logan have decreased for the second consecutive year from 494,816 in 1999 to 478,873 last year, a drop of 3.2 percent.

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