Aviation Minister hails importance of UK’s largest dedicated air cargo hub during visit to East Midlands Airport

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The Minister visited the airport to discuss the future of air freight with leaders from across the sector, during which he heard how East Midlands' cargo operation grew by 12.5% last year - accounting for more than a third of all air cargo growth across the UK

That is a key driver of the £6bn economic impact the centrally-located gateway delivers to the UK economy each year,

Mr Mather saw first-hand how East Midlands provides connections to hundreds of major economic powerhouses around the globe for firms in the Midlands and beyond that operate in key sectors central to the Government’s industrial strategy.

Following the visit he said: “East Midlands Airport is a true powerhouse for UK trade, connecting businesses with markets around the world through 100 freight flights a day, and supporting thousands of jobs."

East Midlands Airport is also a major hub for the logistics industry which is thriving in the Midlands and delivers goods from East Midlands Airport to 90% of the UK’s population within four hours, thanks to the airport’s strategic location at the heart of the country.

During his visit, Mr Mather led a round table discussion on the future of air freight with representatives from the aviation and logistics sectors.

The visit came after a report produced for the Department for Transport showed the importance of night flights for express freight and next-day delivery services, with up to 50% of air cargo tonnage moving overnight. East Midlands Airport is the UK’s busiest express freight hub, with major operators DHL, UPS and FedEx based on site relying on next-day delivery models for goods such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, aircraft parts and medical supplies, as well as e-commerce. Exports alone totalled £13bn last year, on average 34 times higher in value than all other UK ports.

The Minister heard how East Midlands' cargo volumes grew to top 400,000 tonnes for the first time since Covid. This was supported by several new cargo airlines choosing East Midlands Airport as their UK gateway. This in turn helped to drive an extra £2bn in the airport’s economic contribution last year.

Mr Mather was also told about the airport’s plans to build on its success, and was shown from the vantage point of the Air Traffic Control tower four plots totalling 50 hectares on the airfield earmarked for development to bring further economic growth to the region over the next 20 years. Two of these, along with a third to the south of the airport, are Freeport tax sites – with the airport acting as primary port for the East Midlands Freeport.

Mr Mather added: “It was great to hear how DHL, UPS and FedEX are modernising their operations in the region – sharing our ambition to grow, invest and innovate across UK aviation, and complementing our £43 million investment to support green aviation technology that drives down emissions and grows the economy.”

East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the Minister to the airport and outline the vital part we play in driving seamless trade for the UK.

“I was pleased to be able to show him how we are in a unique position to expand our operation without the need for a new runway and deliver significant economic growth by supporting key industries such as the advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, aerospace and logistics sectors.”