East Midlands Airport has landed multiple new cargo deals that position it as the UK’s primary alternative to congested southern hubs. The airport welcomed its first Chinese carriers in May 2025 and added US operator Atlas Air to its growing list of freight services.
The expansion comes as UK airports face capacity constraints. East Midlands offers night flying flexibility and central location advantages that appeal to operators seeking alternatives to London’s crowded gateways.
Chinese Operators Choose East Midlands for UK Entry
YunExpress and Central Airlines launched twice-weekly services on 13 May 2025. A formal ceremony with Chinese Embassy and commerce representatives marked the arrival. Both carriers selected East Midlands as their first UK destination, bypassing traditional entry points.
Central Airlines, based in Hainan, already serves 43 airports across 12 countries. The UK addition expands its European network. Initial frequency stands at two weekly flights with plans to increase based on demand.
YunExpress aims to capture cross-border e-commerce cargo. General Manager Bole Xia stated: “This new route not only expands our European network but also reinforces our commitment to delivering faster, more reliable services to our customers.”
First Chinese Cargo Handler Opens UK Base
YunExpress has achieved another first by establishing ground handling operations at East Midlands. The company opened a dedicated cargo facility and secured necessary regulatory approvals to operate independently.
The Civil Aviation Authority granted Regulated Agent status. Border authorities approved Internal Temporary Storage Facility designation. These clearances allow YunExpress to handle cargo from aircraft arrival through customs processing without third-party handlers.
Orson Wang serves as General Manager of YunExpress UK operations. The facility targets growth in e-commerce shipments between China and Britain, a segment experiencing double-digit annual increases.
Atlas Air Brings 747 Capacity
US operator Atlas Air commenced operations with five weekly flights throughout summer 2025. The carrier deploys Boeing 747 freighters, adding significant belly capacity to the airport’s cargo throughput.
David Craig, Head of Aviation at East Midlands Airport, noted: “Atlas Air’s new operation demonstrates we are ready, willing and able to adapt to changes in the global supply chain.”
Ethiopian Cargo also joined the carrier roster with Boeing 777 operations. The African carrier operates twice-weekly flights to China, providing another Asia connection through East Midlands.
Central Location and Night Flying Drive Growth
East Midlands Airport sits in Britain’s geographic centre, reducing trucking times to major population centres. Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Sheffield lie within 90-minute truck radius. London reaches in under three hours.
Night flying permissions separate East Midlands from southern competitors. Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted face strict curfews. East Midlands operates 24 hours, critical for integrators and express carriers with time-definite services.
The airport is upgrading cargo aprons to accommodate larger aircraft. Infrastructure improvements will handle additional wide-body freighters and expand cargo types processed on site.
Craig stated: “We have established ourselves as the UK’s leading express air freight hub and are demonstrating that we are open for more cargo business. Our strategic central location and flexibility around night flying help to attract new cargo operators looking for a way into the UK market and finding many other airports are over capacity and congested.”
Commercial Director Outlines Expansion Strategy
Adam Andrews, Commercial Director at East Midlands Airport, oversees cargo development. The airport targets operators seeking alternatives to saturated southern hubs and those requiring night operation flexibility.
The Chinese carrier additions represent strategic geographic diversification. Asia routes previously relied on Heathrow and Manchester connections. Direct services reduce transit times and trucking costs for Midlands manufacturers and distribution centres.
Industry Perspective: Regional Hubs Gain Ground
East Midlands’ success reflects broader shifts in UK air cargo. Southern airports operate near capacity while regional hubs offer room for growth. Night curfews at London airports push express cargo north.
Chinese e-commerce volumes drive demand for direct UK connections. UK consumers order increasing quantities from Asian marketplaces. Direct freighter services bypass European hubs, cutting transit time by one to two days.
Forwarders benefit from multiple UK entry points. Capacity constraints at primary gateways force cargo onto less efficient routings. Alternative airports like East Midlands provide backup options during peak seasons.
For freight forwarders managing complex multi-leg shipments, platforms like CSN’s quoting system simplify route comparison across multiple carriers and airports. Regional hub growth creates more routing options but increases complexity in rate comparison and capacity booking.
The YunExpress handler operation sets precedent for vertical integration. Chinese operators historically relied on established UK handlers. Direct control over ground operations reduces costs and improves service control for Asian carriers entering the UK market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Chinese carriers choose East Midlands Airport over London airports?
East Midlands offers 24-hour operations without night curfews, which London airports like Heathrow and Gatwick cannot provide. The airport also has available capacity while southern hubs operate near saturation. Central UK location reduces trucking times to major distribution centres compared to coastal airports.
What is significant about YunExpress opening a cargo handling facility?
YunExpress became the first Chinese cargo handler to establish independent operations at a UK airport. The company secured Regulated Agent status from the Civil Aviation Authority and Internal Temporary Storage Facility approval, allowing it to handle cargo from aircraft to customs clearance without third-party handlers. This vertical integration reduces costs and improves service control.
How many weekly cargo flights now serve East Midlands Airport from these new deals?
The new partnerships add nine weekly flights: five from Atlas Air, two from YunExpress and Central Airlines combined, and two from Ethiopian Cargo to China. This represents substantial capacity increase for the airport’s cargo operations.
What advantages does East Midlands Airport offer cargo operators?
The airport provides central UK geographic location with 90-minute truck access to Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield. It operates 24-hour flying schedules without curfews, critical for time-sensitive express cargo. The facility has available capacity and apron space while southern UK airports face congestion.
What cargo types will these new services primarily handle?
YunExpress and Central Airlines focus on cross-border e-commerce shipments from China to UK consumers. Atlas Air handles general cargo and express freight requiring overnight capabilities. Ethiopian Cargo provides Asia-Europe connections through its African hub. The airport’s apron upgrades will expand capability to handle wider cargo variety including oversized freight.
Regional Hubs Compete for Cargo Growth
East Midlands Airport’s carrier additions demonstrate how regional UK hubs compete for cargo traffic. Southern airport capacity limits create opportunities for facilities with expansion room and operational flexibility.
The airport’s strategy focuses on Asia connections and express cargo requiring night operations. Chinese carrier entry provides direct links to manufacturing and e-commerce origins. US operator Atlas Air adds transatlantic capacity.
Infrastructure investments in apron space and handling facilities support additional growth. The airport targets operators seeking UK market entry without southern hub congestion and slot scarcity.
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