New Cargo facility completed at Bournemouth Airport

Cargo First, the dedicated Cargo division of Bournemouth Airport has completed and comissioned a brand new cargo facility at Bournemouth Airport.

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 effectively doubles the cargo capacity of Bournemouth Airport 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 31,000 tonnes off frieght at the airport, a 70% increase on the previous year, making Bournemouth the 8th in the list of UK air frieght airports.

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 being a major gateway for e-commerce imports with airlines such as European Cargo who are 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.”