A refrigerated warehouse capable of handling 100 tonnes of cold storage each day has opened next to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Apollo Freight, a subsidiary of Mercury Air Group, has unveiled a 16,000sqft warehouse that is expected to bring in $90 million a year and which will bring Los Angeles' refrigeration capacity to more than 82,000sqft.

The perishable centre is located within a 37,000sqft off-airport warehouse adjacent to LAX. 

Apollo previously opened a 13,000sqft refrigerated warehouse on airport property in April 2009, which mostly handles flowers imported from South America headed to Asia and to domestic destinations.

The new warehouse, will mostly be used to process and repackage produce coming into Los Angeles through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and on international flights into LAX.

LAX officials and local authorities hope the facility will help the city obtain market share in a sector dominated by Miami, which currently imports 69% of US-bound produce.

Ivo Skorin, CEO of Apollo Freight, said: "Our customers will now benefit from our hands-on service both on-airport and off-airport at LAX.

"No other perishable logistics provider can offer that level of service."

Apollo's new 15,663sqft perishable centre includes temperature controlled working, staging and cargo screening areas; three individualized units to handle specific products at temperatures ranging from to 28 to 40 degrees; pre-cooler units for flowers and specific fruits and vegetables; one freezer; and

thirteen truck high loading positions.

Joseph Czyzyk, CEO of Mercury Air Group, added: "Signing up for this new facility makes perfect sense as we chart an aggressive course for Apollo Freight's future."

Apollo's new warehouse will be bonded and USDA, APHIS and PPQ certified.

The facility will also be a TSA certified cargo screening facility and food safety standards will be certified by Primuslabs.

Apollo will also offer inventory management, order processing, quality inspections, repacking and distribution as well as its sea-air programme - picking up ocean containers from the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and de-containerizing contents for airfreight services to final destination.

Meanwhile, Apollo Freight will continue to offer services for perishables in transit between airlines through Mercury Air Cargo's on-airport 12,700sqft perishable centre located on LAX.