Heathrow has announced new measures to help make cargo operations more efficient and reduce its impact on our local community. Ranging from hauliers and forwarders to ground handlers and airlines, Heathrow has brought together all those who have a stake in the airport’s cargo operations into a new Cargo Community Steering Committee, ensuring daily operations and longer-term investments bring the best value to all of our customers.

Efficient landside vehicle flows are a critical enabler to Heathrow’s role as the UK’s largest port by value. After Heathrow’s cargo community was invited to review several suppliers, BT’s CCSUK Advanced Information System (AIS) has been selected by the community to implement its slot booking solution for landside movements. BT brings significant operational understanding and in-depth knowledge of Heathrow’s community and geography, together with integration with its existing customs capabilities.

By implementing AIS across our cargo estate, Heathrow’s cargo community is looking forward to being able to better plan and manage landside traffic flows, increasing the efficiency of pickups and drop-offs of time-sensitive cargo and reducing waiting times. An overall reduction in vehicle movements and congestion is expected, which will be monitored in support of our Heathrow 2.0 sustainability strategy.

Responding to our community’s desire to better provide for trucks arriving from long distances, a new landside truck parking facility is now being trialled, giving vehicles a safe place to wait away from the main cargo estate and incorporating welfare facilities for drivers.

High quality data remains a core component underpinning our cargo strategy, and we are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Nallian and WorldACD.

James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow said: “Together, our new approach to engagement across our cargo community, the implementation of AIS, our truck parking facility trial, and data-led focus will ensure we continue growing Heathrow’s cargo proposition to be fit for the future.”