Bournemouth Airport doubles air freight capacity as cargo business expands

Cargo First, the dedicated Cargo division of Bournemouth Airport has completed and commissioned a brand new cargo facility, effectively doubling the airports carbo capacity.

image: Cargo First

The new facility includes three new ICAO Code E stands and a much larger customs-bonded cargo operations centre as well as improved access.

Located next to the airport’s 200-acre business park, the new facility and its location offers new opportunities for logistics operators to co-locate landside facilities for the handling and onward transportation of freight.

In the first 12 months of operations to March 20025, Cargo First handled 31,000t off freight at the airport, a 70% increase on the previous year and positioning Bournemouth as the 8th largest UK air freight airport.

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said, “The completion of these new facilities marks a significant milestone for Bournemouth Airport and Cargo First. They not only provide the infrastructure to support our fast-growing cargo business but also reinforce our position as a highly attractive alternative to congested London hubs. With record volumes already passing through the airport last year, this investment underlines our ambitions as the UK’s newest import/export air hub.”

Much of this growth is down to Bournemouth developing as a major gateway for e-commerce imports through airlines such as European Cargo, which is based at the airport.

Iain Edwards, Chief Operating Officer at European Cargo, said, “The new facilities are a real boost to our business. Bournemouth Airport offers us the flexibility and speed that are critical in air cargo, and the expansion means we can look forward to handling even more volumes efficiently. It’s a huge advantage to operate away from the congestion of the London hubs, while still being able to deliver consignments into the London market faster than if we flew there directly.”