For many in the air cargo industry, Bournemouth Airport's Cargo First operation has become synonymous with the rapid handling of high-volume e-commerce shipments.

But recent months have demonstrated another side of the business, with the airport supporting secure election ballot papers for expatriate voters, project freight for a major overseas music festival, equine exports, specialist aviation operations and temporary Royal Air Force movements.

Together, they highlight an operation that is increasingly being trusted with valuable, sensitive and time-critical work.

Although the Cargo First brand is only five years old, Bournemouth Airport has a much longer history in air freight stretching back to the 1950s, when flowers and fresh produce from the Channel Islands were flown through Bournemouth for onward distribution across the UK.

According to Rob Johnson, Head of Development at Bournemouth Airport, the airport's appeal has remained consistent.

"Our core role has always centred around our geography," he said. "We're around 90 minutes from London's key logistics centres and within easy reach of the major population centres in the South and Midlands, giving us unrivalled speed to market.

“Those core strengths remain just as valuable today as they were 70 years ago and they're the reason a growing number of specialist freight agents are choosing Bournemouth to handle important and time-sensitive project freight."

While Cargo First has built a strong reputation handling e-commerce imports, Johnson says the airport is increasingly demonstrating it can add value across a broader range of commodities.

"Ad hoc and time-critical operations require another level of focus, speed and agility from the team," he said. "And the market is learning that Bournemouth can offer a customer-focused, friendly and efficient alternative to the larger hub airports."

That approach is underpinned by Cargo First's independent ‘One Team’ operating model.

"Our independence has given us total end-to-end control to design a different type of cargo handling operation where we can genuinely put the customer first. Every flight is treated as an individual, bespoke operation. We take the time to understand each customer's requirements and deliver a first-class service every time."

The airport has backed that approach with significant investment. More than £10 million has been invested in new cargo infrastructure, including new aprons, expanded cargo handling facilities and improved landside access. Cargo First has also extended its standard operating hours to 20 hours a day as part of a phased move towards full 24-hour capability.

"The investment doesn't stop there," Johnson said. "We're continuing to evolve our capabilities to improve our offer to the market. These developments will open Bournemouth to a wider variety of cargo opportunities which we're actively exploring."

The same expertise is supporting specialist aviation projects. Cargo First recently handled GE Aerospace's research aircraft ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow and is assisting with temporary RAF operations during runway works at RAF Brize Norton – a timely association given the airport is marking its 85^th birthday having begun life as RAF Hurn in August 1941.

Johnson added: "The common theme is that we're providing bespoke solutions, drawing on expertise from right across our airport and handling teams and reacting quickly to time-sensitive operations. That's what enables us to support such a diverse range of projects."