A third of cargo growth down to East Midlands Airport

The pandemic helped EMA’s cargo operation as it played a crucial role in keeping goods such as pharmaceuticals moving, growing its annual total to 448,000 tonnes.

Since then, cargo totals have remained above pre-pandemic levels but latest results show that the airport’s recent cargo growth is bringing it closer to its busiest-ever period. The 12.5% increase, up 46,000 tonnes on the previous year, represents more than a third of air cargo growth in the UK.

EMA is aiming to keep up the momentum by investing in extra stands for cargo aircraft and developing new larger gatehouses, giving operators greater secure access on and off the field.

The cargo operation has also seen a surge in the number of airlines choosing the airport as their gateway to the UK market, with seven operators joining in the last half of 2025 alone.

Despite the growth in cargo, the number of freight aircraft movements has dropped, falling by close to 2,000. This is driven by a drop in shorter flights to Europe, as larger aircraft are carrying more freight per flight on longer inter-continental routes.

East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director Adam Andrews said: “We’ve had a bumper year for cargo, bringing us back towards the previously unprecedented levels achieved during the pandemic when the operation was running flat-out. It’s great that we have built up to this being our new normal and is an encouraging sign for our long-term growth plans.

“We’ve been making sure that key players in the sector are aware of our unique proposition. Our strategic central location that gets goods quickly onto the road network, coupled with specialising in cargo-only aircraft and offering 24/7 access, offers certainty for time-critical businesses. This contrasts with other UK airports which mostly carry cargo on passenger planes, leading to slower turnaround times.”