Heathrow-based CFL, the only express courier on-site at the airport, is expecting its imports in the run up to Christmas to be up almost one third (30 per cent) compared to last year.

CFL also states that express imports from India into the UK are growing rapidly, and to prepare the company is adapting shift patterns and investing in IT.

In a press release from CFL, and according to the Department for Business and Trade, total UK imports from India amounted to £22.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, an increase of almost 24 per cent compared to the same four quarters last year.

Matthew Ware, chief executive at CFL, said: “Indian express import volumes have grown by around 30 per cent year-on-year, and show no signs of slowing down.

“India is becoming one of the most important import markets for the UK and we are uniquely well placed to meet this growing demand.

“Structurally, there are a number of well established businesses in India that provide innovative express logistics solutions.”

According to the ONS, the value of goods imported into the UK increased by £2 billion (4.2%) in May 2023, rising a further £0.8 billion (1.7%) in August. The increases were from both EU and non-EU countries.

The Business Research Company recently published that the global express delivery market is expected to grow from $277.04 billion in 2022, to $303.84 billion in 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 9.7 per cent.

Consumers around the world are increasingly demanding faster delivery services.

Ware added: “This anticipated boost in pre-Christmas imports has led us to adapt our working practices and invest in new IT systems, in order to maintain our best-in-class delivery times.”

As well as a surge in imports, the approach of Christmas is driving up anticipated December export volumes, which CFL said it expects to be around 50 per cent higher than the rest of the year; the strength of the pound, currently at its highest level against the Dollar for 15 months, is a significant factor.

Express courier service providers, like CFL, typically see volumes increase in both directions around major holiday periods like Christmas.

Ware added: ‘“On some days, including Black Friday and the 10 days before Christmas, volumes can be two or three higher than other times of the year.

“However, we have prepared well in advance for handling these higher volumes.

“As business surges, and Christmas gets ever closer, our partners need to know they can still collect and deliver at our usual speed. General cargo typically experiences longer delays when volumes increase.”

CFL has dedicated collection and drop-off bays that allow customers to collect their shipments from only 60 minutes after a flight arrives, and drop off from 90 minutes before flight departures.

Customers can drop off and collect from multiple airlines, making CFL the fastest and most efficient way to receive or send shipments through Heathrow.

The company is owned by FedEx, DHL, UPS and Virgin, and operates the UKs only dedicated multi-user express handling facility.

Ware said: “Because we are owned by our customers we are able to offer outstanding express connections at a much lower price than general cargo.”

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