'Our airport forms the backbone of express freight that powers the growth of high-value industries'

AIRPORTS have a crucial role to play in the economic fortunes not just of the regions they immediately serve, but more widely as major contributors to the UK economy.

- STEVE GRIFFITHS

This is borne out by statistics showing that more than half of Midlands exporters grew sales in the second quarter of this financial year, with East Midlands firms the second strongest for entering new markets in this period.

The UK Trade Barometer, developed by parent company MAG and The Growing Together Alliance of business groups, also found that 45% of exporters to the US forecast growth in the next quarter and that sales to China are set to surge in the next three months.

As the UK's number one express air freight hub, East Midlands Airport punches well above its weight in supporting global trade.

Recent figures show that growth in cargo volumes outpaced Heathrow, with more than 100,000 tonnes handled at East Midlands between May and July, which is 17.4% up on the same period last year.

This contrasts with industry data that indicates that volumes of cargo carried in the belly of passenger aircraft the majority of Heathrow's cargo have remained largely flat year-on-year.

This speaks to one of East Midlands Airport's unique selling points.

Our unrivalled cargo operation deals solely in cargo-only aircraft, which operate in and out of the airport largely at night.

These factors, and the ease and efficiency of our operation, provide certainty for freight carriers that their goods won't be delayed at the airport while passenger flights take priority.