Frankfurt’s February freight fillip

Frankfurt, Europe’s largest cargo airport by volumes in 2016, saw a 1.3% increase in freight tonnages during February 2017.
For the first two months of this year, Frankfurt’s cargo throughput was ahead of prior year by 3.4%, compared with a decrease of 0.8% in 2016 versus volumes for the first two months of 2015.
Heathrow, the fourth largest air cargo hub in Europe, registered a 4.4% rise in freight volumes during February to 127,000 tonnes, repeating the percentage increase notched up in January.
An airport spokesperson said: “Emerging markets contributed to Heathrow’s strong February cargo performance, with volumes up to Brazil (+10%), India (+5%) and China (+4.2%) alongside healthy growth to North America (+7%) and the Middle East (+8%).”
Elsewhere in the UK, London Gatwick Airport recorded a 6% rise in cargo volumes to 5,965 tonnes.
Gatwick’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said: “Our long-haul growth is driving the natural corresponding cargo increase, which is joined by strong growth in Gatwick’s regional connections across Britain, demonstrating Gatwick’s vital economic role both within Britain and internationally, as we continue to offer the UK Government a credible and deliverable option for runway expansion.”
The three UK airports owned by MAG: Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands, had contrasting results for cargo in February. Manchester’s volumes for the month were up 11.2% to just over 8,000 tonnes, while Stansted rose slightly, by 0.2%, to 19,000 tonnes, and East Midlands declined by 1.7% to 24,500 tonnes.
Said an MAG spokesperson: “Manchester’s expanding long haul network has once again boosted its cargo volumes, with 11.2% more cargo being carried at Manchester than in last February, and MAG airports imported 70% of all roses for Valentine’s Day.”