Welsh hauliers set to gain air freight
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• Welsh hauliers could be bidding to move up to 400 tonnes of freight a day if Cardiff Airport is successful in winning a major influx of business from an American cargo airline.
The airport currently handles 2,000 tonnes of freight a year; it says there would be a lot of work for hauliers if the airline chooses Cardiff.
While the amount of traffic has not been finalised, the airline is understood to be considering one or two daily return scheduled services across the Atlantic. Each freight plane would have the capacity to carry up to 100 ton nes.
Councillor Paul Morris, chairman of the Cardiff economic development committee, says: "The city council welcomes these discussions as a platform for the expansion of the firstclass facilities at Cardiff airport. Such a facility will provide a boost for the local economy, particularly in the road haulage sector."
Cardiff airport stresses the talks are at an early stage.
Managing director Graham Greaves does not want to get hauliers hopes up, but says that Cardiff has great potential for a European cargo hub because of the German and Japanese manufacturing plants in South Wales, including Bosch, Panasonic and Sony.
Roger Jackson, general manager of Newport-based Sheddick Transport, welcomes the move; "It's an attractive proposal," he says. "Any extra work is always welcome — as long as the rates are right."