A new weekly airfreight service between Nairobi and Doncaster arrived this week in the first perishable cargo contract for Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
The new contract with aviation group Network Airline Management will transport around 3,500 tonnes of Kenyan fresh produce and flowers a year, as well as opening up export opportunities for UK produce businesses.
It comes as the airport was certified as a dedicated port of entry for perishable commodities last year.
“We are delighted to be announcing this news so soon after seeing record cargo figures for last year,” said airport cargo manager Dayle Hauxwell.
“We’ll be working with Network Airline Management to handle a weekly scheduled flight from Nairobi with flowers and vegetables for the UK market. This deal will see some 3,500 tonnes of cargo transported a year. This new scheduled operation also opens up the opportunity for UK export freight.
“Our entrance into this new market is further evidence that the cargo operation has established an international reputation as the UK’s most freighter friendly airport. And we believe this is just the beginning, as the industry recognises the benefits offered by Doncaster Sheffield Airport. ”
Andy Walters, commercial director of Network Airline Management, said: “We selected to fly to Doncaster Sheffield Airport for a number of reasons.
“It offers a 24-hour operation without being slot restricted, is very freighter friendly and considerably less congested than other locations. It also has a very proactive team. Doncaster Sheffield Airport with their partners Anglo World Cargo work hard to deliver a tailor-made service, and this really shone through in their approach.”
