East Midlands cargo volumes soar with China links
Britain's East Midlands airport has seen cargo volumes surge by 20% in July, with more than 103,000 t handled between May and July, up by 17.4% year-on-year. The growth contrasts with flat national belly-hold volumes and is fuelled by four new China-UK freighter operators, including Central Airlines on behalf of YunExpress, Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo and Saudia Cargo.
One Air, which relocated from Heathrow last year, will launch scheduled flights next month linking Europe, Dubai and Hong Kong, with plans to add B777s to its B747 fleet. To meet rising demand, the airport has reconfigured its apron to handle 12 widebodies and unveiled a cargo growth vision including 122,000 sqm of new warehouse space.
Home to DHL, UPS and FedEx hubs, East Midlands processed 375,000 t of freight worth EUR 43.7 billion in 2024/25. MAG projects cargo growth of 54% over the next 20 years, potentially creating 20,000 jobs and boosting the economy by EUR 4.7 billion. (ah)