Direct China flights first in UK
MANAGERS at East Midlands Airport say they have become the only UK airport to be served by a direct cargo flight from China during the lockdown.
The weekly link, launched by DHL Express from Hong Kong, is in response to growing demand for trade from Asia as markets start to open up.
The Castle Donington airport is already the UK’s biggest operation for flights carrying just cargo.
The new service is operated by the Boeing 747-8 Queen of the Skies, with a cargo capacity of 100 tonnes, and leaves Hong Kong on Fridays, arriving at East Midlands on Sunday.
About 95 per cent of the goods on board are time-critical products, from medical and industrial supplies to consumer e-commerce shipments.
DHL Express has also introduced two additional new routes from JFK Airport, New York, and Miami International into East Midlands. Later this month, a flight to Los Angeles will also be added.
Airport managing director Karen Smart said: “We very much welcome DHL’s continued investment in its East Midlands operation.
“This new route is further evidence of the airport’s vital role as a global hub for time-critical goods and a facilitator of world trade.
“As one of the UK’s most strategically important infrastructure assets, East Midlands is well-placed to support the gradual steps being taken by countries to restart manufacturing and exports, as well as being key to unlocking the UK’s economic potential in the coming years.”
Ian Wilson, of DHL Express, said: “As lockdowns in many countries begin to ease, we’re seeing a sustained growth in demand for goods from Asia, covering all of the usual high-value or time-critical products like technology, medical and industrial goods.
“We have introduced this direct route as a response to this, and as part of our ongoing adaptations to the network to enable us to best serve our customers.”
A spokesman for the airport said:
“While airports in the country have seen air traffic movements reduce by over 90 per cent, East Midlands has continued operating about 60 per cent of all scheduled flights, elevating it to one of Europe’s top 10 busiest airports.
“This is because of its global express freight operation which is playing an important role in keeping trade moving and facilitating the supply of vital PPE equipment, as well as more people ordering goods online when shops have been shut.
“In the past two years, more than £200 million has been invested into bespoke handling facilities at East Midlands Airport by the world’s largest logistics companies, establishing it as the UK’s busiest and most important airport for dedicated cargo planes.
“Positioned only a four-hour truck drive to 90 per cent of the population of England and Wales, EMA’s central location means vital supplies flown into the UK can be with those who need them most urgently very soon after landing.”