East Midlands Airport saw cargo volumes increase over the last 10 months on the back of larger aircraft flying to the UK facility.
The airport registered a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes to 345,800 tonnes in the 10 months to January.
In a press release, the airport pointed out that this increase came despite a 1,300 decrease in freighter movements.
In total, there were 18,400 freight aircraft movements at the airport across the past ten months – a fall of 7% or on average 133 fewer per month than in prior years.
“This corresponds with an increase in intercontinental flights to Asia and the US and a drop in shorter flights to Europe,” the airport said.
“This, in turn, means larger aircraft carrying more freight per flight operating on these routes.”
The largest operator based at East Midlands Airport, DHL, has been investing in its fleet and is increasingly using new Boeing 777 freighters.
Meanwhile, One Air recently added two new 777Fs to its fleet and some of the new airlines that started operating from East Midlands last year, including Etihad and Central, also use 777Fs.
“Newer aircraft bring the extra benefit of being less noisy than older models – some of which have been banned under the airport’s Noise Action Plan,” East Midlands Airport said.
The airport is looking to expand its cargo facilities and the lower number of flights will help offset any potential concerns from local residents over noise increases.
East Midlands Airport’s managing director Steve Griffiths said: “It’s pleasing to see that our cargo growth is not happening at the expense of local communities.
“The changes in routes and types of aircraft are driving this, which helps us continue to be a good neighbour to our surrounding communities.
“This is a trend we expect to continue as operators invest in modernising their fleets and increasingly focus on long haul global services from East Midlands.”
The airport has already invested in “medium-term measures” to cater for the increased volumes, including increased stand capacity for cargo aircraft, increased the number and capacity of cargo handlers and future-proofed security checkpoints onto the airfield in anticipation of more cargo activity.
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