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This study reviews the domestic air cargo industry, how it has developed and how it is influenced by other modes of transportation, in particular the important relationship with the trucking industry. Individual airports were surveyed to develop an understanding how they planned and prepared for air cargo growth. Air cargo planning studies were obtained for several airports. In addition, a survey was mailed to eleven airports requesting information on their approach to forecasting, development on a speculative basis and marketing. Enplaned passenger, air cargo and mail data was obtained from the U. S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics for selected years from 1977 to 1998. This data was analyzed for growth trends. The findings of the study revealed the air cargo industry in the United States is still developing and growing at a rate faster than the gross domestic product. The small and medium hub airports are gaining market share from the large hub airports, unlike passenger service. Forecasting future air cargo demand for individual airports is difficult due to the lack of available detailed data on shipments. This is compounded by the close relationship between the trucking and air modes. With decreasing prices, the integrated express carriers are forced to rely on trucking to a greater degree. Air cargo has Influenced industry on their methods of operation and decisions on where to locate. Growth of air cargo is a complex phenomenon depending on the interaction of location of the airport, economic growth, competition from other modes, facility constraints, and many other factors. Airports need to be as proactive and flexible as possible within their environment to maximize their growth potential in the cargo market. It is important for local airport management to be aware of the needs of the cargo airlines and the needs of their community to be able to tailor their facilities to meet the needs of both parties.