East Midlands Airport cargo shipments up more than 25% on pre-pandemic levels

Britain’s aviation minister has heard how East Midlands Airport is forecasting another record-breaking year for air cargo thanks to online shopping and the current challenges of moving goods by sea.

Robert Courts MP visited the Castle Donington cargo operation at the busiest time of year in the run-up to Christmas.

The airport estimates that by the end of its current financial year 470,000 tonnes of goods will have been handled by it – compared with 438,000 tonnes last year, and 370,000 the year before, prior to the pandemic.

At times since the first global lockdowns came in, the airport was the tenth busiest in Europe thanks to its global freight operations, compensating for some of the revenues lost when tourist services collapsed.

The minister was also told about concerns for the recovery of international passenger travel, particularly in light of the latest Omicron testing restrictions.

More than a million items pass through the airport each night at this time of year, ranging from household goods to electronic devices, luxury cars, medical supplies and industrial parts.

As well as people shopping online, demand for the airport’s dedicated cargo services has been boosted by the rising costs of sea-freight and less bellyhold capacity in traditional passenger flights.

The airport says businesses that relied on bellyhold space on passenger planes for moving goods are likely to continue to use dedicated air cargo services until transatlantic passenger routes return to pre-pandemic levels.

Management say businesses are increasingly reliant on the air cargo specialists based at EMA – such as UPS, DHL and Royal Mail – to meet the high and still growing demand for online shopping, which has been supercharged by the pandemic, as well as to support just-in-time supply chains across the UK.

Container supply issues in Asia have made air freight more commercially attractive – which has been invaluable in the response to Covid as time-critical medical supplies are speedily shipped around the world to front-line health providers.

Following the visit Mr Courts said: “Over the past 18 months, air freight has played a vital role in keeping the country’s medical and PPE supplies moving.

“Having spent time on the East Midlands Airport airfield on one of its busiest nights, it’s clear to see why the airport’s 24-hour operation is such a key facilitator of UK trade.

“The importance of this regional airport is also hugely beneficial in terms of local economic growth and job creation.”

East Midlands Airport managing director Clare James said: “It was a pleasure to showcase East Midlands Airport to the aviation minister last night at a time of year when everyone on site is working flat out to facilitate the UK’s largest express air cargo operation.

“The last 18 months, in particular, have demonstrated just how important this airport is to keeping trade flowing in and out of the UK.

“At times, during the pandemic, East Midlands Airport was the tenth busiest in Europe as it remained open for business to allow the frictionless movement of goods including critical medical supplies and PPE during lockdown.

“East Midlands Airport’s role as a global gateway for trade is central to the region’s Freeport bid, the final business case for which is submitted to Government next month.”

Companies using the airport include Derby-based manufacturer SureScreen Diagnostics, which exports lateral flow tests to customers as far away as Australia.

SureScreen director David Campbell said having the airport on their doorstep has proved invaluable during Covid.

He said: “During the pandemic we have had to react quickly, providing testing kits to meet the needs of our customers across the world.

“The services provided by East Midlands Airport have been critical in allowing us to support our customers with reliable supplies across 53 countries.

“East Midlands Airport is invaluable to companies like ours across the Midlands and the wider country.”