Pictured: A CGI image that East Midlands Airport has released showing what development plots could look like
The proposals were unveiled at UKREiiF, the UK’s real estate investment and infrastructure forum, which is being held in Leeds from 20-22 May and attracted 16,000 attendees from the property, investment and political sectors.
Four sites covering 50 hectares have been earmarked for development to build on East Midlands Airport’s status as the UK’s biggest hub for express air cargo.
Two of the plots have tax-free status within the East Midlands Freeport, which offers tax incentives and simplified customs processes to businesses investing in the sites.
Three of the sites will have direct access to the runway through new taxiways and space to park up to 18 extra aircraft.
The proposals also provide 122,000m2 of warehouse space, up to 51,000m2 of landside yard space and 1,000 parking spaces.
A study by air travel consultants York Aviation/MDS Transmodal on behalf of East Midlands Airport forecasts that cargo will grow from 370,000 tonnes to 491,000 tonnes a year by 2030 and reach 583,000 tonnes by 2043, driven by express cargo.
The study said the airport’s key attributes were its location to the national road and rail network with 85% of the UK’s population within a four-hour truck drive and 81% of large-scale warehouse space within 200 kilometres.
It has fewer night flight restrictions than other airports, no slot constraints and cargo flights do not struggle with passenger flights receiving priority treatment.
The airport specialises in cargo flights, unlike other airports which place cargo in the belly of passenger aircraft.
Its single runway has direct access to integrator hubs, offering fast and efficient aircraft-to-truck times.
The analysis concluded that cargo growth at the airport support up to £3.9 billion of Gross Value Added of economic contribution and up to 21,300 jobs by 2043.
It added that the whole of the UK would benefit from East Midlands Airport meeting unmet demand for air cargo services.
Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport said: “Our plan for growth will bolster the airport’s pivotal role in powering UK trade, with tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic value set to be unlocked by enhancing EMA’s cargo operation. 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.”