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Interview
“ Just recently , a senior executive at Schiphol Airport shared his desire for the Dutch Government to mandate two and a half percent of all slots to cargo aircraft , arguing that this would enable Schiphol to make decisions that benefit cargo . A framework with mandated or protected slots would increase both capacity and resilience across the UK ’ s aviation landscape , and operators would be more likely to invest in both airport hubs and regional airports . As UK businesses are predicted to grow by up to 40 percent over the next decade , we must create stable infrastructure to cope with increased air cargo demand .
“ However , mandatory cargo slots are just one solution . From a UK perspective , we must look at our national industrial strategy and infrastructure to make necessary investments that drive economic growth . We need a forum for all stakeholders to come together and discuss how we can create a framework that supports the country ’ s industrial aims and supports the wider economy .
“ Many countries have robust industrial strategies around their airports , with some working alongside national couriers or receiving government support . In Türkiye , for instance , air cargo is used as the economy ’ s primary driver of growth , with the new airport in Istanbul specifically to facilitate cargo movements . On the other hand , the UK ’ s industry is very competitive , particularly around big infrastructure projects , as they require long-term thinking rather than considering the short-term impact for shareholders .
“ Heathrow Airport has made significant investments in improving its passenger terminals , but we need to see equal investment in the cargo facilities ,” he continues . “ Over the last five years , CFL has made several investments , particularly in technology , and we ’ re the only operator at Heathrow using an EDS scanner to enhance security . We ’ ve also invested in digital vertical integrations to share real-time data with our customers and automate key processes like customs and arrivals .”
The future of air freight
The industry ’ s future is somewhat uncertain , according to Matthew . He anticipates that future investments will be focused on either environmental sustainability or consolidation of technologies . “ I don ’ t think any modern business can ignore environmental responsibility ,” he states . “ We ’ re proud to have one of the smallest direct carbon footprints in our sector , which is getting smaller every year . Sustainable aviation fuel ( SAF ) alone is not going to solve all our problems ; we must also support and invest in the development of new carbon capture technologies that reduce our impact .
“ I also see continuation of some of the trends we ’ ve seen over the last five years or so , but current political uncertainty is forcing more companies to consider how to maintain a robust supply chain in a higher risk operating environment . We ’ re seeing migration from sea freight because of the crisis in the Red Sea , for instance . Behaviors like nearshoring will be ongoing , and as e-commerce continues to grow , there will be differences in the kind of commodities carried by air freight .
“ As manufacturing increasingly moves away from China , we ’ re seeing players like India , the Middle East , and some areas of South Asia emerge as powerhouses to drive capacity ,” Matthew concludes . “ Air cargo will certainly continue to play a crucial role in global supply chains and there ’ s plenty of scope for further growth .” ■
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