UK’s East Midlands Airport predicts e-commerce fuelled cargo growth

East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the UK is hoping its cargo volumes will increase by more than 50% over the next 20 years as it benefits from increasing e-commerce demand and constrained capacity at rival hubs.

A recent report by MDS Transmodal and York Aviation suggests that EMA’s volumes will increase by 54% over the next 20 years.

Based on UK government figures, this would see freight and mail volumes grow from 370,000 tonnes handled last year to around 570,000 tonnes in 2042.

The two consultants said this growth is based on the continued rise of e-commerce demand – UK e-commerce sales grew to 27% of all retail sales in 2022 from only 3% in 2004 – and Heathrow Airport’s focus on bellyhold rather than freighter aircraft.

At present, the airport is the second busiest for cargo in the UK.

“It’s true that Heathrow carries higher volumes of cargo, but that’s mostly in the ‘bellyhold’ of passenger aircraft – and that puts EMA at a significant advantage,” said the airport’s head of aviation David Craig.

“Some airports are also prioritising passenger flights over cargo operations,” he added. “There is therefore a trend where cargo operators are favouring airports like EMA that support aircraft purely carrying freight.

“There is another trend emerging which EMA is well placed to benefit from, and that’s the growth in e-commerce demand, especially from markets such as China where the likes of Temu and Shein are becoming dominant.

“They are looking for ways to get their goods into the UK and Europe, and EMA’s existing links and facilities enable them to do that.

“We expect this demand to increase as e-commerce grows in China and elsewhere and airlines look for dedicated cargo solutions over more expensive and constrained passenger ‘bellyhold’ options.”

He pointed out that the three express giants – DHL, UPS and FedEx – already have bases right next to the runway at EMA. 

Earlier this year, British cargo airline One Air commenced 747-400 freighter operations at EMA.

One Air commences 747F operations at East Midlands Airport