East Midlands Airport lifts freight 6.3% to 210,807 tonnes

East Midlands Airport handled 6.3% more freight in September, pushing throughput to 210,807 tonnes for the year to date and adding an extra 36,000 tonnes of goods processed through the UK's busiest express cargo hub.

The year-to-date figure represents growth of almost 10,000 tonnes, or 5% year on year. For context, that increase alone is roughly the annual freight volume a mid-sized regional airport might handle — and East Midlands has generated it before its peak season has even started.

The timing matters. The airport's busiest cargo period traditionally runs from now through December, as retailers stock up for Black Friday and Christmas with goods ordered from across the globe. September's numbers therefore serve as an early, though not guaranteed, indicator of how the final quarter will shape up. A strong September has preceded strong peaks before; it has also preceded peaks derailed by demand shocks.

Who operates the hub?

The operation is anchored by three integrators: DHL, UPS and FedEx. Cargo-only aircraft connect the airport to a network of 185 major cities worldwide. Combined with the airport's central UK location, that reach underpins next-day delivery capabilities for express shippers — the core commercial proposition that keeps integrator volumes flowing through the East Midlands rather than the Southeast hubs.

What did last year deliver?

The September growth builds on a record performance. In the most recent full year, East Midlands topped 400,000 tonnes for the first time since the pandemic, and increased yields at the airport represented more than a third of all cargo growth in the UK.

The economic footprint is equally concrete. The cargo operation drove a £6.2 billion economic boost in 2025, supporting 52,000 jobs across the UK — 42% of them in the Midlands. Put differently, for every five jobs the operation supports nationwide, roughly two sit in its home region.

What does the airport claim?

Adam Andrews, East Midlands Airport's Commercial Director, pointed to the dual passenger-freight model as the differentiator.

"Achieving year-on-year growth on top of a record-breaking year for our cargo operation demonstrates how well placed we are to serve the UK's air cargo needs," Andrews said.

"The way our twin operations for passengers and freight operate in parallel, not in conflict with each other, puts us in a unique position to continue to grow our cargo capabilities. It's great to see these figures growing ahead of what is traditionally our busiest period," he added.

The claim deserves scrutiny on one point: parallel operations reduce slot competition, true, but sustained growth still depends on integrator demand, aircraft availability and the health of e-commerce trade lanes — none of which the airport controls. A 5% annual gain is solid but modest against the record base it follows.

What comes next?

For forwarders and integrator customers, the figures signal capacity in place and a hub performing ahead of peak — relevant for any shipper still finalising express capacity for the Black Friday-to-Christmas window. If September's trajectory holds through December, East Midlands is on course to set another annual record and extend its share of UK cargo growth.