East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the UK is looking to expand the number of airfreight facilities it can offer as it prepares for future cargo growth.
The airport has earmarked four sites on the airfield, totalling more than 50 ha for the development of new facilities.
EMA said it is now open to expressions of interest from potential developers.
Two of the plots have tax site status as part of the East Midlands Freeport, for which EMA is the primary port.
This offers businesses investing in the sites tax incentives and simplified customs processes.
Three of the sites have direct access to the runway, through new taxiways, and space to park up to 18 extra aircraft.
The proposals also outline a total of 122,000 sq m of warehouse space, along with up to 51,000 sq m of landside yard space and 1,000 parking spaces.
The project comes as a recent study from York Aviation/MDS Transmodal carried out on behalf of EMA showed that cargo volumes could grow from 370,000 tonnes to 491,000 tonnes by 2030 and then to 583,000 tonnes by 2043 – a growth of 54%.
The growth is based on the airport’s central location and proximity to road and rail networks that place 85% of the UK population within a four-hour drive and fewer restrictions around night flying than other airports, enabling an increase in capacity and capability by running a 24-hour operation.
The airport can also specialise in dedicated cargo aircraft, rather than bellyhold, and has a single runway with direct access to cargo integrator hubs for faster aircraft-to-truck times.
EMA managing director Steve Griffiths said: “EMA is already one of the most important airports in the UK, forming the backbone of express freight that powers the growth of advanced manufacturing and other high-value industries.
“Analysis shows we have the potential for significant growth in the coming years and in order to meet this growth, we have identified development opportunities to enhance our cargo infrastructure.
”We have four plots, a completely open mind over how those plots should developed and are open to suggestions for investment mechanisms that would unlock their potential.”
The announcement comes after the airport revealed the start of three new freighter services in recent weeks.
Central Airlines began operating twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights from Tianjin in China to EMA on behalf of Chinese logistics express firm YunExpress.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Cargo recently added twice weekly 777 freighter flights from Hong Kong to the UK airport, a summer service.
And Atlas Air added flights from Hangzhou in China throughout the summer.
