East Midlands Airport (EMA) reports that despite the economic downturn and continuation of poor market conditions; for the 6-month period January 2009 to June 2009, its cargo volumes remain strong in comparison to other airports that are suffering significant declines.

Whilst tonnage is slightly down at East Midlands on last year's figures for the comparative period; the airport's cargo team remain optimistic because in comparison many other airports, Frankfurt (down 21.5%), Heathrow (down 16.9%), Stansted (down 14.8%) and Gatwick (down 45.5%); the slight decrease of just 7.0% at East Midlands Airport represents strong performance.

Bill Blanchard, Cargo Manager, East Midlands Airport, said: 'In consideration of the on-going global recession and the larger declines at other airports; the relatively small drop in our cargo volumes is good news for East Midlands Airport and is a positive indicator of future prosperity for when the market starts to pick up.

'It also puts East Midlands Airport in a strong position and we remain keen to continue to extend our customer base and subsequent route network.'

With this in mind, the airport is confident that its representation at the forthcoming Air Freight Asia 2009 Conference in Hong Kong this coming September will prove fruitful as it pushes to drive further cargo traffic through the airport.

Bill Blanchard added: 'We believe the fact that we are flying half-way across the world is a strong statement of our confidence and commitment to cargo development at East Midlands Airport. Building on the strength of our current cargo operations as the UK's number one airport for pure cargo, we are hopeful that we will secure new routes and clients to handle cargo traffic from the Asian markets.

An annual event since 1986, the Air Freight Asia 2009 Conference will take place from 8th to 10thSeptember and is endorsed by the Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA), the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding & Logistics (HAFFA) and the Hong Kong Shippers Council. It remains Asia's only dedicated airfreight conference and is held in high esteem within the region with senior representatives from the world's airfreight and civil aviation industry.