the next few years, with the rise of sectors such as e-commerce making the speed offered by airfreight even more crucial to the global economy. Nor does Britain’s decision to leave the European Union seem to worry him too much. He points to the fact that only around nine per cent of Heathrow airfreight goes to Europe, as trucking to countries like France, the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany is cheaper and thus preferred. Trade barriers with the continent as a result of the UK implementing Brexit in 2019 wouldn’t make much of a difference, Platts concludes. On the contrary, he thinks Brexit represents more of an opportunity, giving Britain the chance to establish new trading relationships with countries currently excluded “because of the EU requirements”. “When we open up the former Commonwealth and trade partnerships with the US you might actually find there is more volume coming to the UK. This is all dependent on how much the government puts in place,” he explains. Negotiations on future trade relations with Europe and the rest of the world are yet to start. But in the meantime, the government has announced (in October 2016) support for a third runway at Heathrow, which, if parliament grants approval either this year or next, would be built by 2025. Platts describes the airport’s expansion as “brilliant news” for UK exporters. “With a third runway, we will be able to offer 40 more destinations, and those we already serve will have a higher frequency.” What about the homes – around 800 – which are to be demolished to make room for the new runway and the increasing levels of air and noise pollution as a result of the expansion? Platts says he is “acutely aware” of the impact on the community and pledges he will work with the industry to mitigate it “as much as we possibly can” by making the cargo process more efficient and implementing projects such as a full electric ground fleet by 2020. But he insists: “The expansion is absolutely vital to the UK economy: Britain is a net importer of goods, and to export more we need to offer more slots to connect with more markets.” He expects the third runway to increase trade with areas like South America, currently accounting for only around 2.5% of Heathrow’s cargo volume.
BOTTLENECKS AND THE PRIZE FOR FIXING THEM
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And yet, inside or outside the EU, with two or three runways, there is a lot of room for improvement at Heathrow. A 15-year cargo strategy was launched in November 2015 (long before the EU referendum and the government’s announcement about the expansion), with the aim of investing around £180 million to
Above: Ground operations begin as the Boeing 747-400F arrives at the cargo terminal. Right: Goods are unloaded from the nose cone of the plane.