In one week, two UK airports have made announcements about their airfreight plans. And the two outcomes will have significantly different impacts on the way consignments will move across our skies.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) have announced a £1.1bn investment to expand London Stansted Airport, but made no reference to expanding freight services at its subsidiary operation.
The fact that freight was not included in MAG’s plans at Stansted is disappointing and a missed opportunity for the logistics sector and the economy as a whole.
As Logistics UK’s members know, airfreight plays a key role in the nation’s “just in time” supply chain, delivering high value, time-critical goods that industry and consumers rely on and which drive much-needed economic activity.
Our members are urging government to rethink how this money is distributed to ensure that airfreight can continue to expand and grow across the UK, for the benefit of all.
Simultaneously, European Cargo announced it is developing a base at Cardiff Airport and will operate regular freighter flights to China. Our members are delighted – it is fantastic news and will open up new trading routes linking Wales to international markets.
Cardiff Airport has the facilities to handle large aircraft and Logistics UK has been calling for a study to determine how to increase airfreight at the airport for some time, so it is really encouraging that there will be freight flights to China.
We hope this is only the beginning for Cardiff Airport, and that we will see more air cargo services and new routes connecting Wales to international markets.
Logistics has a key role to play in driving growth across the Welsh economy and the Welsh government must exploit the strategic opportunities this high quality, integrated transport infrastructure presents.
Key to this is publishing the Welsh Freight and Logistics Plan as a matter of urgency and appointing a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain who can deliver across the Welsh government.
If airfreight is to continue to support the economy, and provide a kick start for the economy, it is vital that it is included in plans for all regional airports.
Logistics UK will continue to lobby national and regional administrations, as well as the operators around the country, to ensure there is sufficient capacity made available at every site for air freight in every expansion plan – that will enable the industry to keep driving growth and support UK PLC.
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