Gloucestershire Airport has welcomed its first cargo operator to meet an urgent need for a new venue for urgent automotive and just-in-time logistics.

The new service was launched with Global Airlift Solutions operating a PC12NG Cargo aircraft into the airport.

Cargo aircraft will be handled by Weston Aviation at its fixed-base operator (FBO) facility and private ramp area.

The airport's commercial finance director Karen Taylor said: "This is a great new opportunity for us and demonstrates perfectly the great future and potential of Gloucestershire Airport as well as working with Weston Aviation."

Weston Aviation chief executive Nick Weston said: "I have been involved in urgent automotive logistics and handling for 30 years and understand the fine balance between the on-time delivery of cargo and where possible cost savings.

"As soon as we opened our FBO facility at Gloucestershire Airport in 2019, we saw the enormous potential for developing cargo handling for just-in-time operations.

"Being slightly more southerly than traditional automotive hubs such as Birmingham, with less flying and lower cost and just 50 minutes drive away, we would be offloaded and on the road before an aircraft arrives at Birmingham."

The Weston Aviation FBO and ramp is located by the airport entrance gate, enabling cargo to be on the M5 within five minutes of leaving and as a pure business airport, Gloucestershire Airport has no scheduled commercial traffic to cause delays and fuel is delivered immediately on request.

Global Airlift Solutions vice president sales Sven Sroka sees the airport as a great opportunity and new operating base.

He said: "We are delighted to be the first cargo aircraft into Gloucestershire Airport which is a perfect partner for the capability and uniqueness of the PC12 Cargo aircraft.

"We look forward to working closely with both Weston Aviation and our cargo brokers and clients through the airport."