Air Cargo Seminar asserts sector's claim to be “foundational" in Industrial Strategy

Featuring presentations and panel discussions with representatives from industry and government, the seminar discussed the role air cargo can play in delivering growth as part of the UK’s upcoming industrial strategy.

Airports UK Policy Director, Christopher Snelling began the session outlining the contribution air cargo makes to the UK economy: UK airports handle 2.6 million tonnes of freight every year and £95.6 billion of GVA is currently dependent on air freight exports across all sectors of the UK economy. Mr Snelling also explained how air freight is critical for the wider supply chain and how, for example, UK manufacturing depends on the sector to ensure continuous operation when it requires parts urgently.

Logistics UK Deputy Director – Policy Michelle Gardner questioned Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director, Infrastructure & Construction at the Department of Business and Trade on the sectors which want to be recognised as “foundational” in the upcoming industrial strategy. Mr Harradence said he felt that air cargo has a “compelling case”, explaining further, “If you look at the volume and the value of the transactions it facilitates, and the number of people who are employed in the sector, and in related sectors, and the fact that it does support growth across the UK, and is essential for growth, it is in a very good position.”

The need for a more favourable balance between passenger services and air freight was a theme which was returned to on several occasions. According to the panel, the economics of the air sector means airport operators will continue to favour increased passenger numbers due to the additional revenue from increased spending in airport terminals and there is continued pressure on night flights. Night flights are heavily restricted yet as outlined by Christopher Snelling, nearly half of air freight by value is carried during the night and night flights are critical for operators offering express and next day delivery services.

The dominance of the passenger sector can also affect supply chain resilience as explained by DHL Public Affairs and Policy Director Fionnuala Horrocks-Burns. Ms Horrocks-Burns described how the planned runway resurfacing at Luton airport this autumn will be carried out at night as Luton is predominantly a passenger airport. According to Ms Horrocks-Burns, air freight carriers will need to use other locations and there are no alternatives in the South East region. To ensure the sector can guarantee supply chain resilience, Ms Horrocks-Burns called for air freight to be considered at a regional level as part of a whole system in conjunction with passenger travel.

Deputy Director, Multimodal Freight Division at the Department for Transport Laura Marquis restated the UK government’s “mission-led” approach and emphasised its clear priorities for transport including “transforming infrastructure” and “better integrating transport networks”. Ms Marquis also noted how she feels there is now a “markedly different attitude towards logistics” across government compared to three to five years ago: “The coordination and collaboration across government is really different and the conversations we're having around the likes of the Trade Strategy and Industrial Strategy are really fruitful. Conversations no longer feel challenging and it’s now of simply a reminder of the importance of logistics.”

Speaking after the seminar, Logistics UK Senior Policy Manager, Alexandra Herdman reflected on a successful event, “We look forward to continuing conversations on the issues raised over the coming months and thank you to our speakers and everyone who attended. We would also like to thank our sponsors European Cargo and East Midlands Airport as well as Clyde & Co for hosting the seminar.”

Expert speakers at the seminar included former Transport Minister Baroness Charlotte Vere; Fergus Harradence from Department for Business and Trade; Laura Marquis from Department for Transport (DfT) and industry voices Fionnuala Horrocks-Burns - DHL Express; Sarah Bell – UPS; Christopher Snelling – Airports UK; Amanda Francis – AICES; Ekaterina Andreeva - Chapman Freeborn Airchartering; Graeme Elliott - Virgin Atlantic, and legal voice Charles Röbin - Clyde & Co.

Published On: 03/04/2025 15:00:00

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