Kuehne & Nagel expands at airport

Logistics firm Kuehne & Nagel has signed a three-year lease on a warehouse to double its presence at Manchester Airport's World freight Terminal.

The company has taken a 19,729 sq ft distribution unit and agreed an extension on its existing lease in the neighbouring building, also 19,621 sq ft.

John Atkins, managing director of MAG Developments, said: "Figures released just last week showed that cargo flown overseas during September had increased by over 30% compared with the same month last year at Manchester, and the Middle East is continuing to be the strongest export freight performer for the airport. This is a large letting of some of our remaining space on the freight terminal site and demonstrates resurgence in the freight sector over recent months."

In September 2010, the volume of exported cargo from Manchester Airport grew to 4,227 tonnes, a 29.7% increase on the previous September, of 2009, when 3258 tonnes of cargo was exported from Manchester Airport.

The World Freight Terminal at Manchester Airport accounts for the employment of more than 1,000 people and handles freight aircraft and consignments that arrive or depart in the holds of passenger planes. Recent new occupiers on the estate include FedEx Trade Networks, THS Scotland and CBI Global Freight Management.

In the third quarter of 2010, cargo volumes at Manchester Airport grew to 30,714 tonnes, representing a 15.3% year on year increase compared to the same quarter of 2009.

MAG Developments has an investment portfolio of more than £300m and manages an estate of over 5,000 acres, more than 200 buildings and 850 customers. It also currently has planning permission and funding in place to build a 200,000 sq ft transit shed at the World Freight Terminal, Manchester Airport.