• The airport has release data this International Trade Week revealing the top trading nations connected to the UK via EMA, and the forecast also looks promising for its growth to continue.
• In 2025, the airport handled more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo, representing growth of 12.5 percent on the previous year.
• In terms of trading nations from last year, the United States came out on top, with more than £3 billion of goods were imported and £2.6 billion were exported between the US and the UK. 

In the historic land of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, there comes a new tale is being written by the cargo team at the East Midlands Airport (EMA). Its growth and expansion within the air cargo sector has seen its team label it a ‘world trade centre at the heart of Britain.’

The airport has released data this International Trade Week revealing the top trading nations connected to the UK via EMA, and the forecast also looks promising for its growth to continue.

Last month EMA announced it was looking for a new head of cargo to build on this work, alongside new airline China Central Longhao starting operations this November. Its freight handled grew by 6.3 percent in September.

EMA have commented that recent growth has strengthened the airport’s connections with major global trading markets: especially the growing Chinese economy through seven new cargo operators including a fresh arrival last week.

This is opening up further opportunities for British importers and exporters. In 2025, the airport handled more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo, representing growth of 12.5 percent on the previous year.

It accounted for around 36 percent of the UK’s growth in air cargo volumes, underlining its increasing importance to the country’s international trading infrastructure.

So what is the data that lies behind the airport’s positive forecast the year ahead?

A quiver full of freighters

Data from last year reveals that more than £28 billion of goods passed through EMA, which the airport stated ‘underlines its strength as one of the UK’s most important international trade gateways connecting British businesses to customers, suppliers and markets across the world.’

In terms of trading nations from last year, the United States came out on top, with more than £3 billion of goods were imported and £2.6 billion were exported between the US and the UK.

Perhaps surprisingly the second highest importer was the Netherlands, at £2.3 billionn of goods, followed by Germany at £1.8 billion. The two European countries exported £700,000 and £1.4 billion respectively.

Europe remains the largest trading area putting goods through East Midlands Airport, accounting for more than half of the total value of trade, at £16 billion with £9 billion in imports and £7 billion in exports.

Despite the growing number of cargo airlines which have set up routes between China and East Midlands over the last year, with the latest touching down for its first flight only last week, it comes in only fourth place of the import rankings with just over £884,000 and eighth for exports at £377,000.

HMRC data also reveals some of the types of goods that East Midlands Airport handles.

It includes a massive range of things, from aircraft parts, prosthetic body parts, cars and car parts to water skis, farming equipment, clothing, toys and smartphones.

Reflection on EMA’s position

“With around £28bn worth of goods passing through the airport annually, East Midlands Airport is far more than a regional transport hub. It is a world trade centre, connecting businesses across Britain to the global economy and helping drive economic growth in the Midlands and across the UK,” East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director Adam Andrews said.

“We have the infrastructure, perfect central location, expertise and ambition to do much more. We want to strengthen Britain’s connections with the global economy and ensure the East Midlands plays an increasingly important role in the future of seamless international trade.”

Wider UK role

The airport’s wider economic contribution is equally significant, supporting 52,000 jobs and generating an estimated £6.2bn in gross value added for the UK economy.

EMA has continued to confirm that it plans to build on this success, with a cargo growth plan to attract new international cargo operators, develop its cargo infrastructure and unlock investment within the surrounding logistics and industrial economy.

Whether EMA has given itself the title of the ‘world trade centre at the heart of Britain,’ or not, it is certainly an airspace to watch in the coming months and years.

The post East Midlands Airport’s Sher-good forecast as a British global trading hub appeared first on Air Cargo Week.