Air Freight
Maintaining the Regional Advantage
Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA) has developed over recent years to become a major hub for several global logistics “integrators”, and as a result has become the busiest UK airport in terms of tonnage of freight lifted by dedicated cargo (i.e. non-passenger) aircraft. In terms of total freight handled (i.e. including bellyhold freight by passenger aircraft, it is the second largest in the UK after Heathrow. It thus has both a regional and national role. It has been recognised within the Airport’s Economic Development Strategy (February 2004) as a key driver for economic growth and regeneration within the Three Cities Sub-area,
and within the Region generally and beyond.
The growth of airfreight at NEMA is not without environmental impacts of course, and the Airport and other stakeholders need to be vigilant in minimising these impacts. The Future of Transport White Paper has recognised the particular role of NEMA in terms of airfreight,and has taken this into account in its national longterm planning for air transport, but has also indicated concern over the major contribution to total CO2 emissions from aviation (up to 25% by 2030).
Current research by NEMA, emda and others will identify the characteristics and value to business of NEMA’s express freight operation, to help inform input to NEMA’s Master Plan development proposals. Surface access implications of development at and associated with NEMA will be informed by the emerging Three Cities Land Use Transport Interactive (LUTI) Model.
Whilst NEMA is predominant in terms of regional air freight, appropriate attention will continue to be given to air freight issues at other airports serving the Region, including the recently opened Robin Hood Airport, near Doncaster.
KEY POLICY 6:
Regional and local partners will work together to support the national role and
sustainable growth of NEMA by promoting and supporting appropriate planning policies and
guidance within the context of current Government policy
TARGET:
Master Plans at NEMA (and other airports of importance to the region) to reflect, as
appropriate, the full range of economic and environmental issues.
|
|
Action Plan |
Lead Partner |
Supporting Partner |
Timescale |
|
6.1 |
Identify the surface access implications of the freight scenario within the Airport’s Economic Development Strategy through engagement with the East Midlands Logistics Forum, NEMA’s Master Plan activities, the revision of the airport’s Surface Access Strategy and work on the Three Cities Land Use Transportation Model. The Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Transport Plans need to take account of the Master Plan and vice-versa. |
EMRA, EMRFG, emda |
NEMA, SSPs, HA, Local Transport Authorities |
Q2 2005/6 and ongoing |
|
6.2 |
Address agreed surface access needs through liaison with delivery agencies, and subject to satisfactory resolution of environmental implications, accord them appropriate priority within the RTS. |
EMRA |
Local Transport Authorities, HA, DfT Rail, NR, NEMA |
ongoing |
|
6.3 |
Identify opportunities to transfer surface freight traffic generated by NEMA from road to rail, and pursue any opportunities to support proposals for direct rail access to NEMA and/or development of a convenient railhead, where this could both be viable and deliver environmental benefits. |
EMRFG, EMRA |
DfT Rail, NEMA, NR |
ongoing |
|
6.4 |
Identify and pursue opportunities for modal shift from air freight to rail where this could be both viable and deliver environmental benefits. Also assess and introduce measures which will achieve a sustainable approach to existing and future airport operations by implementing agreed actions that will reduce the environmental impact of air pollutants from all flights and noise from night time flights. |
EMRFG, EMRA |
NEMA, DfT Rail, NR, Leicestershire County Council |
ongoing |
|
6.5 |
Promote provision through the Regional Spatial Strategy, for the use of sites suitable for logistics and other inward investor developments that can benefit from good transport links with the airfreight opportunities at NEMA, where such provision offers an acceptable balance between economic benefits and environmental impacts. |
EMRA |
NEMA, emda, Three Cities Working Group, Relevant Local Planning Authorities, EMRFG |
Q4 2005/6 and 2006/7 |
|
6.6 |
Address airfreight requirements and opportunities at other airports serving (or, in the case of new facilities, potentially serving) the Region, and any proposed development thereat, in the context of the “Future of Air Transport” White Paper, and initially by involvement in their Master Plan consultation. |
EMRA EMRFG |
Airport operators |
As required |
|
6.7 |
Identify and pursue opportunities for modal shift from the air/road package where speed is not a key factor for the customer, and other packages could be both viable and deliver environmental benefits. |
EMRFG |
NEMA, |
2006/7 |
Last updated: 8th March 2007