In a move to boost UK export competitiveness, Heathrow Airport has an updated plan to expand and expects to double cargo capacity.
The airport currently moves 65 per cent of the UK's GBP400 billion (US$673.4 billion) freight exports, and the new plan is aimed at creating more than 100,000 new jobs and at least GBP100 billion of UK economic benefits.
Heathrow's revised expansion plans has been submitted on May 14 to the Airports Commission, according to the Atlanta Area Air Cargo World.
"Expansion at Heathrow matters to the whole country. Only Heathrow will connect all of the UK to fast-growing international markets. The plans we are submitting to the Airports Commission demonstrate major economic benefits from a third runway for the whole of the UK," said John Holland-Kaye, development director and chief executive designate of Heathrow.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) said this was good news for freight. "The plans outlined by Heathrow today are very much welcomed by FTA and echo the findings in our own recent report," said FTA policy director Chris Welsh.
"We have previously stated that it is imperative that the UK has a single air freight hub, and that Heathrow fulfills that role. It is an essential hub of connectivity for passengers and freight, bringing together huge resource, expertise and opportunity in one place," Mr Welsh said.
FTA found that air freight accounts for nearly 40 per cent of UK imports and exports by value and employs 39,000 people, most clustered around Heathrow.
"Heathrow is the UK's main airport hub, but is currently operating at 98 per cent capacity and needs to be able to expand to meet the needs of industry," Mr Welsh said. "
It is a critical hub for air cargo, offering 191 destinations; it moves 1.5 million tonnes of freight and is vital for UK connectivity to its main overseas markets," he said.
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