The new facility features enhanced safety systems, including trailer docks and recessed building pits, designed to streamline freight preparation processes
FedEx has opened a new, 19,000 sq ft cargo handling facility at the UK’s East Midlands Airport (EMA).
The new facility will operate independently from the company’s pre-existing parcel sorting operations and is designed to enhance freight handling efficiency at the gateway, while providing customers with improved connectivity to the US, EU, Asia Pacific (APAC) region and the rest of the world.
The facility is equipped with a number of trailer docks and recessed building pits designed for safer cargo handling.
The new facility is said by FedEx to also facilitate more streamlined and efficient processes for preparing freight shipments.
“Additional capacity will significantly increase throughput, strengthening the company’s ability to meet rising customer demand across key international trade lanes,” a FedEx statement said.
Steve Johnson, managing director of UK Air Operations at FedEx, remarked: “This new freight facility builds on the momentum of our recent expansion in Manchester and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to strengthening our operations across the UK.
“Together, these commitments create a more resilient and connected FedEx network, enabling us to support the increasing flow of goods between the East Midlands, the Northwest and international markets.
“For businesses in the East Midlands, the additional capacity and enhanced safety features mean more efficient access to the US, APAC, EU and beyond – helping them seize growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.”
FedEx has operated in the UK since 1984 and provides a range of transportation services for businesses trading internationally and domestically. The company operates three air hubs in the UK.
Expansion in Istanbul
Earlier this month (September), it was reported that FedEx had opened a new “global air transit facility” at Istanbul Airport as Turkey emerges as a “global air cargo powerhouse” and a key hub for cross-border e-commerce.
The facility measures 25,300 sq m and provides air gateway functions, integrated Customs clearance teams and office support. Technologies on offer at the facility include an automated sorting system, security screening, and capabilities to handle dangerous goods.
Aurrigo at EMA
The new FedEx facility at EMA is more good news for the airport. At the end of last month (August), ACN reported that autonomous technology company Aurrigo had secured nearly £700,000 of funding to extend an autonomous cargo project at the gateway.
The funding from the Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder – Enhancements programme will enable Aurrigo to accelerate its Ramp Ready project that will see it deploy two of its Auto-Cargo autonomous vehicles and one eight-passenger Auto-Shuttle.
David Keene, chief executive of Aurrigo, commented: “Auto-Cargo is our largest aviation vehicle to date and is set to transform airside logistics by autonomously carrying a total payload of 16,500kg. The vehicle is a fully electric, zero-emission alternative to existing diesel-powered models.
“The latest funding will allow us to accelerate deployment at East Midlands Airport, as well as integrate our Auto-Shuttle to cater for short-distance passenger and staff transport.”
Volumes on the up
Also in August, EMA confirmed that freight volumes through the airport had increased by double-digit percentages over the previous few months on the back of new cargo airline customers being attracted to the airport.
During the May-July period, EMA registered a 17.4% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes to a throughput of 103,000 tonnes.
Drilling down further into the numbers, volumes were up 19% year on year in July, 24% in June and 9.7% in May.
In May, China Airlines began a twice-weekly service on behalf of logistics firm YunExpress, and this was followed by new services from Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo and Saudia Cargo.
Last year, UK-based freighter operator One Air switched operations from Heathrow to EMA to capitalise on the airport’s central location and “efficient operations”, EMA said.
