East Midlands Airport (EMA) reveals £3.9 billion airfreight ambition 

The new vision outlines proposals to develop four key airport sites to meet a forecast 54 per cent surge in cargo demand by 2043.  

The plans could support up to 21,300 new jobs and inject £3.9 billion into the UK economy, according to expert analysis. The airport, already the country’s top performer for express freight, is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the growing demand for fast, reliable cargo transport.  

A recent study commissioned by EMA from consultants York Aviation and MDS Transmodal predicts cargo volumes will grow from 370,000 tonnes in 2023 to 583,000 tonnes in 2043.  

Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager Alexandra Herdman said: “Air freight has proved to be resilient and reliable, keeping Britain trading despite crises from COVID to the Red Sea.

"East Midland Airport’s new proposal shows how vital air freight is to the UK, not only keeping businesses operating smoothly, but supporting job creation both directly and indirectly.”

The proposal includes:  

• 122,000 sq m of new warehouse facilities  

• 51,000 sq m of landside yard space  

• 1,000 parking spaces  

The airport’s strategic location and infrastructure give it a unique edge. With 85 percent of the UK population reachable within a four-hour truck drive, and proximity to 81 percent of large-scale warehousing, EMA is ideally placed for growth.  

Unlike many UK airports, it operates 24/7 with fewer restrictions on night flights and no competition from passenger slots, allowing it to prioritise dedicated cargo operations.  

Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, highlighted the scale of the opportunity: “EMA is already a vital backbone for the UK’s express freight network, supporting high-value industries and advanced manufacturing. With this new vision, we aim to enhance our infrastructure to meet soaring demand and drive regional and national growth.  

“We’re keeping an open mind on how the four sites can be developed and welcome investment ideas that can unlock their potential. Our ambition is to build a future-ready cargo hub that creates thousands of jobs and strengthens the UK’s position in global trade.”  

The proposed development forms part of a wider national strategy to address unmet UK cargo capacity and support economic resilience. With no need for passenger aircraft to carry freight, EMA’s purpose-built cargo operations promise faster, more efficient logistics connections to global markets.