West Atlantic (United Kingdom) (NPT, Nottingham East Midlands) , the UK division of European cargo operator West Atlantic Group, has relocated its main operational hub from Coventry Airport to Nottingham East Midlands Airport.

The freight specialist said in a statement the move was driven by a need to find increased space to accommodate its West Atlantic (UK) unit's growing fleet of B737 freighters (six B737-300(F)s and ten B737-400(F)s) and the fact that many of West Atlantic’s customers are based at East Midlands Airport.

"We had outgrown our Coventry facility as it could no longer meet the demands and needs of our business," Nigel Hiorns, Managing Director for West Atlantic UK Ltd, said. "A new base is required due to the rapid expansion of our fleet, and our in-house maintenance capabilities especially as we prepare to launch new converted B737-800 freighters in February 2018.”

As such, the firm said it has leased 4,000 sqm of hangar space at the Leicestershire airport to be closer to its key customers, DHL Express and Royal Mail.

West Atlantic also offers aircraft maintenance services and aircraft leasing which will benefit other cargo operators that are located at East Midlands Airport.