East Midlands Airport has handled 345,800 tonnes of cargo in the past 10 months while reducing aircraft movements by 7%.
The UK’s leading express air freight hub recorded 18,400 freight aircraft movements in the period since April, down 1,300 on the previous year, despite carrying an additional 44,280 tonnes of cargo.
The shift reflects an increase in inter-continental flights to Asia and the US and a reduction in shorter European routes, with larger aircraft carrying more freight per flight.
Steve Griffiths, managing director of East Midlands Airport, 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.”
DHL, the largest operator at the airport, has been investing in its fleet and increasingly using new Boeing 777 aircraft. One Air has recently added two 777s to its fleet, while airlines including Etihad and Central also operate the model.
Newer aircraft are quieter than older models, some of which have been banned under the airport’s Noise Action Plan.
The airport has earmarked four airfield plots for development to meet growing demand and has increased stand capacity for cargo aircraft and the number and capacity of cargo handlers.
Griffiths added: “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.”
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