London Gatwick has acquired control of the on-airport World Cargo Centre, strengthening its long-term cargo infrastructure.
The airport said the purchase will improve the resilience and growth potential of freight operations across the UK’s Southeast.
The 1,747 sq m site is located directly alongside the airfield and hosts several cargo companies. Gatwick described it as one of its most strategically important cargo locations.
Most freight handled at London Gatwick currently moves in the hold of long-haul passenger aircraft, particularly on routes serving Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The move comes as Gatwick seeks to bring its northern runway into regular use. At present, the northern runway is used only when the main runway is closed for maintenance or emergencies.
The development would move the northern runway further away from the main runway, allowing dual operations.
Gatwick estimates that the additional runway could add 60,000 flights per year and increase cargo volumes to 161,500 tonnes by 2038, compared with 61,000 tonnes in 2023.
Oxford Economics analysis suggests the value of imported cargo through Gatwick could reach £9.8bn per year by 2038, more than double 2019 levels and £2.1bn higher than without the Northern Runway programme.
