[270718.EN.BIZ] Spirit of Farnborough: Air Cargo as a UK Engine of Growth Post-Brexit

BULLISH on Brexit, CargoLogicAir (CLA) CEO David Kerr insisted before a Farnborough Airshow audience that Britain had to address the needs of air cargo as the key component of the way forward.

"The growth of UK airports and aviation is not just about noise and pollution; it is about trade and the future of UK business," said Mr Kerr, reported London's Air Cargo News.

"Air cargo can be the engine of the UK economic growth and we at CLA look forward to playing a leading role in that progress," he said.

"The business case to invest in a British cargo airline with a modern fleet and a growing network was to support one of the world's leading economies in the top five and top 10 of global importers and exporters respectively," he told the air show's cargo conference.

As civil and military aircraft soared in the skies above Farnborough, Mr Kerr said that Britain's GBP35 billion (US$45.9 billion) turnover aerospace industry - 85 per cent being exports - employs 123,000 people.

As a B747F operator CLA had flown over 2,200 flights since 2017 to "all corners of the globe", carrying 170,000 tonnes of cargo, and remains on track to build a fleet of five freighters within five years, with the fourth aircraft expected to join in 2019.

"Those British aerospace exports need the fast and flexible solutions of the air cargo industry. Our airline is here to support UK industry and economy, and importers and exporters alike, and we want cargo's voice to be heard by every stakeholder," Mr Kerr said.

"We need our industry to be recognised for its role as a facilitator of global trade and we need all the support that goes with that.

"At a time when the UK government is defining its aviation policy in the context of Brexit we must ensure that the needs of cargo and its importance to UK plc are at the forefront of everyone's minds."

CLA is working with industry colleagues and associations in supporting an initiative to "drive better research to highlight the value of air cargo to UK economy".

London's negotiations with Brussels will include flying rights and aviation regulatory oversight, but Mr Kerr wants there also to be focus on cross border trading regimes, to keep them free flowing.

"Like everybody else we want to see a swift resolution, and we need the right outcome for our industry and for companies like CLA who are making a long-term commitment to the UK market and to British business."

Mr Kerr then spoke of the "vital role" played by stakeholder airports, observing that "many airports still regard cargo as a lower priority" at a time when airport expansion is top of the agenda, adding that cargo needs to be heard in the debate, particularly on aircraft slots.

"We also require proper infrastructure on the ground for cargo operators at UK airports, including parking and handling. To this end we will be giving UK airports the opportunity to get back into the all-cargo game by engaging in a tender process aimed at enhancing our operating base platform wherever that may end up.

"We need airports to be more forward thinking when it comes to cargo and cargo handlers, and to provide their know-how and capital to provide the right solutions," Mr Kerr said.

Source : HKSG.