Heathrow expansion plans good for freight, claim FTA

Plans to double the capacity at Heathrow Airport’s cargo area are good for the freight industry, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have claimed.

The plans for the redevelopment, announced on Tuesday, would see an overhaul of cargo facilities at the airport hub to expand the capacity to twice the current size.

Heathrow’s announcement echoed the recently-published FTA-commissioned ‘Sky High Value,’ which detailed the importance of air freight to the UK economy.

Chris Welsh, Director of Global and European Policy at the FTA, said: “The plans outlined by Heathrow today are very much welcomed by FTA and echo the findings in our own recent report.

“We have previously stated that it is imperative that the UK has a single air freight hub, and that Heathrow fulfils that role.

“It is an essential hub of connectivity for passengers and freight, bringing together huge resource, expertise and opportunity in one place.”

The airport plans are said to support UK freight exports, and state that the redevelopment would allow for modern access points including the potential for cargo railhead.

This would offer faster, more efficient cargo movements at the hub, which would improve the UK’s export competitiveness and maximise economic benefits.

“Heathrow is the UK’s main airport hub, but is currently operating at 98% capacity and needs to be able to expand to meet the needs of industry,” added Mr Welsh.

“It is a critical hub for air cargo, offering 191 destinations; it moves 1.5million tonnes of freight and is vital for UK connectivity to its main overseas markets.”

Image courtesy of Phillip Capper, with thanks.