CFL, Heathrow Airport’s only on-site express courier handler, has today announced a three-year deal with Thai Airways that will give UK businesses more courier access to the markets of the Far East, one of the world’s fastest growing economic blocs.

The deal fulfils part of CFL’s longer-term strategy to create stronger ties with regions outside the EU, and meets the growing demand for courier capacity between the UK and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

The airline gains a strong differentiator by adding a courier product, built around CFL’s express handling capabilities, to its portfolio.

Few of the APAC region’s airlines offer a courier product, so Thai’s additional capacity will create significant potential for regional businesses in Asia looking to trade with the UK.

The two companies have successfully completed data exchange tests and CFL can now begin receiving inbound shipments.

It is anticipated that export product handling will start in August.

Matthew Ware, CEO at CFL said; “We are delighted to formalise this important partnership with Thai Airways.

“Exporting is vital for the UK economy, and this deal will give UK businesses greater capacity and faster access to an already huge and growing market.”

Thailand, with a population of around 66 million, is the second largest economy in Southeast Asia.

Ware continued; “Thai Airways is already very strongly positioned to service the needs of local and regional businesses. The addition of a courier product increases their global reach by adding fast, reliable delivery of e-commerce products into the UK.

“We have actively pursued a strategy of building relationships with key airline partners in important economic regions, and this deal represents a significant step towards fulfilling that strategy.”

Research from the Social Market Foundation estimated that there are around 70,000 UK businesses that today don’t sell online – but could. It adds that by selling online globally these businesses could boost the UK economy by £9.3bn.

Matthew Ware added; “For overseas businesses, relying on British components or finished goods, speed and reliability are critical. Therefore deals like this will create a network that e-commerce exporters can exploit, giving them wider choice and greater certainty over service consistency.”

The airline industry is a key part of the global e-commerce ecosystem – IATA says 80% of e-commerce goods by value travel by air. Airfreight in general accounts for only around 0.5% of UK total international movements by weight but about 45% of them by value, according to a report by the Freight Trade Association.

CFL was formed forty years ago as Heathrow became the world’s premier long-haul airport.

The growth of the on-board courier product, which allowed unaccompanied packages to travel in the hold as unaccompanied luggage, led to huge pressure on the passenger terminals.

As a result, Heathrow looked to move the courier product out of passenger terminals and the industry created CFL to manage this.