The end of East Midlands Airport’s 60th anniversary year saw it record the third-highest year-on-year increase in cargo in its history, new figures reveal.
The airport – the UK’s largest pure freight operation – recorded a 37% increase in the amount of freight it handled in December compared with the previous year.
The surge saw almost 38,000 tonnes of cargo pass through the airport – 10,200 tonnes more than in December 2024. This 37% increase is the highest year-on-year increase since two months during the pandemic, when lockdown lifestyles led to spiralling volumes across the market.
Overall, East Midlands’ cargo operation has handled 313,615 tonnes so far this financial year, starting last April – putting it on track to top last year’s total of 370,000 tonnes.
East Midlands’ performance was driven by booming demand from India, South-West and Central Asia, and the United Arab Emirates, as businesses and freight handlers responded to America’s tariff regime and global conflicts that impacted the way goods flow around the world.
The airport also took advantage of capacity constraints at other gateways to welcome seven new carriers during 2025. Hong Kong Cargo, Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo, Saudia Cargo, Etihad Cargo, SF Express, and Central Airlines all started new operations. YunExpress, a major Chinese logistics firm, is set to open a new cargo warehouse at the airport in the coming months, initially supporting operations by its partner Central Airlines.
The airport is progressing plans to support the UK’s international trade ambitions by identifying four sites next to the runway, totalling 50 hectares, for cargo developments, supported by new taxiways and aprons providing up to 18 new aircraft stands. This would help to meet a projected 54% growth in cargo demand at the airport by 2043. Two of the sites are tax sites of the East Midlands Freeport – for which it is the primary port – which offer tax incentives and other benefits to prospective developers and occupiers. It is estimated the plans could boost regional GVA by £1.8 billion and support up to 21,000 new jobs. The airport has also partnered with global logistics giant Prologis to develop a third Freeport site near the airport for advanced manufacturing and industrial logistics.
East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, Steve Griffiths, said: “Our cargo operation, already established as a linchpin in the UK’s international trade network, continues to go from strength to strength.
“These latest figures confirm that we are building on our success and are in a strong position to drive forward with our plans that anticipate significantly more growth for this side of our business in the coming years.
“We have the capacity, capability, and ambition to meet the increased demand and a vision for how we can achieve it. We are determined to continue to power seamless trade for the UK well into the future.”
