Heathrow looks to double cargo volumes by 2030

The London airport announced plans to invest nearly $200 million over the next 15 years to improve and expand its freight handling facilities, processes and workforce.    London’s Heathrow airport plans to double its cargo throughput by the year 2030, according to executives.
   Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye announced plans to invest nearly 180 million euros (U.S. $195.6 million) over the next 15 years to improve and expand its freight handling facilities, processes and workforce.
   The blueprint plans, developed with key industry and airport stakeholders, include proposals for a specialized pharmaceutical storage area, better infrastructure to reduce congestion, and smoother processes. The airport estimates the improvements will reduce processing time for cargo flights from eight or nine hours to just four hours.
   In addition, the airport said freight forwarders using Heathrow will benefit from an air-to-air transit facility that will shorten connection times for cargo that both arrives and departs Heathrow by air from a current average of over six hours; working with businesses, airlines, IATA, HMRC and the DfT to become “100 percent e-freight ready,” by converting paper work to digital process; and a new secure truck parking facility with capacity for over 100 vehicles, which will include a waiting area for drivers with toilets, showers and dining facilities.
   “Heathrow has developed its vision to overhaul the cargo facilities after working closely with stakeholders including freight forwarders, Government, exporters and British businesses, forming an ambition to become one of the leading European airports for cargo,” the airport said. “These improvements will also encourage airlines to bring cargo friendly aircraft with greater freight capacity to Heathrow, which are typically more modern, greener and quieter.”
   Speaking at the BCC conference on Tuesday, Holland-Kaye said, “Cargo is essential for UK PLC and Heathrow is its global freight connector, with 26% of all UK goods by value going through the airport. This investment plan will significantly improve our cargo facilities and support British businesses to keep the economy moving, connecting exporters to the world and helping the government reach its £1 trillion export target by 2020.” 
   “Heathrow’s planned investment and increased freight capacity is excellent news, and exactly the type of commitment that FTA has long been asking for,” added Chris Welsh, FTA director of global and European policy. “The significance of air freight is often overlooked, but today’s announcement illustrates that Heathrow Airport has listened very carefully to ourselves and the freight industry.  The improvements it is proposing are essential to the growth and success of the UK economy.”