YunExpress has officially launched operations at a new cargo facility developed at East Midlands Airport in the UK. The site, which has been built within an existing airport warehouse, covers 7,000 sq m.
The company’s UK East Midlands operation was recently recognised as a Regulated Agent by the Civil Aviation Authority and has also secured Internal Temporary Storage Facility approval from Border Force. The facility is scheduled to handle its first flight on 30 April.
The move builds on YunExpress’ expansion in the UK market. Since last May, the company has been operating its own Boeing 777 freighter flights from China into East Midlands Airport in partnership with Central Airlines.
Initially, the new facility will handle cargo for Central Airlines services, which currently operate four flights per week, each carrying around 100 tonnes of goods. Over time, YunExpress intends to open the site to other carriers as well, with the infrastructure already in place to support additional flights in the near future.
Orson Wang, general manager of YunExpress UK, said East Midlands Airport emerged as the preferred location after a careful review of possible options. According to him, the airport stood out because of its central position, strong cargo infrastructure, and efficient access to the wider UK market.
He added that, with the required approvals now secured, YunExpress is pleased to begin operations and further strengthen its global service network, particularly in support of cross-border e-commerce flows across major international markets.
Wang also said the company is already looking at opportunities to work with airlines beyond Central Airlines. He noted that YunExpress is particularly well positioned to support Chinese operators because it understands their needs. The longer-term ambition, he said, is to build the business into a fully integrated, end-to-end logistics operation under the YunExpress brand.
For Adam Andrew, commercial director at East Midlands Airport, the investment is further proof of the airport’s strategic role in the UK cargo market. He described East Midlands as the country’s largest dedicated freighter airport, highlighting its 24/7 access and its ability to reach 80% of the UK population within four hours.
To accommodate growing activity, the airport has recently reconfigured its cargo aprons. Out of 27 cargo stands, 12 can now handle wide-bodied aircraft, up from seven previously. Additional cargo development is also being considered elsewhere on the site. Andrew said YunExpress’ investment gives a real boost to the airport’s cargo growth ambitions, including the possible development of four large airfield plots for new cargo facilities.
