Extra airport freight is welcomed by businesses (From The Northern Echo)

Extra airport freight is welcomed by businesses

9:04am Saturday 13th February 2010 in

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Extra airport freight is welcomed by businesses THE reintroduction of air freight into a North-East airport after a gap of several years is attracting support from businesses.

A number of companies have come forward to welcome the decision by KLM to add freight on two of its three daily inbound flights to Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) on a six-month trial.

They say the service will provide a massive boost for the local economy and end the “utter nonsense” of local companies having to import via London Heathrow, then by road.

Steve Cooper, of Bishop Auckland-based CCTV and surveillance company Cyberline Communications, said: “It could mean next-day delivery, when the same order currently takes five days.

That’s a serious time and costsaving to my business.”

KLM is offering the freight service in partnership with Camair Freight Services, the last remaining freight forwarding company based at Durham Tees Valley.

Camair Freight managing director Paul Bramley said: “We have remained here, supporting the airport, because we can see the need for a local company providing a local service for the local business community, on the doorstep.

“By the same token, that local business community has remained loyal to us and is now coming forward to support KLM’s service.”

Other businesses which have pledged their support to the service include Billingham- based Wynyard Import Consultants.

The date of the first freight flight is still to be confirmed by Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo, but the service will cater for air freight shipments of up to 70kg in weight direct from Amsterdam.

Andrew Galloway, KLM cargo account manager, said the service would initially run for a trial period of six months, with options to extend the service, depending on demand.

He added: “Niche market industries in the Tees Valley, including shipping, petrochemical and pharmaceutical, often require fast shipping of smaller, high value items, making the direct flight from Amsterdam appealing for the local businesses.”

Emma Ormerod, spokeswoman for DTVA, said: “It is clear that the service has already received a very positive response from businesses in the region and we hope that as many as possible will make use of it.

“It’s another example of how things are moving forward very positively at Durham Tees Valley.”