Manchester Airport and Stansted Airport posted year-on-year (YOY) tonnage growth in July, but East Midlands Airport recorded a YOY fall in the month, according to latest figures released by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
In July, Manchester handled 10,118 tonnes, up 14.2 per cent on the same month last year, as its route network continues to grow and it welcomes more bellyhold cargo.
MAG says new long haul routes, including Hainan Airlines’ new link to Beijing in China, has also led to a significant growth in bellyhold tonnage.
In the second quarter, the gateway says more than £85 million ($110 million) worth of pharmaceutical products and 276 tonnes of powdered milk have been exported through Manchester to China alone. Existing key routes to the Middle East and Far East have also performed well.
Meanwhile, Stansted handled 20,820 tonnes in July, a 0.4 per cent YOY uplift compared to July 2015, while East Midlands was the only one of MAG’s cargo gateways that saw a fall, as it handled 27,153 tonnes, a four per cent YOY decline on July 2015.
