Cargo handling for air transport activities Companies in the UK

SIC 52242Transportation and storage|304.4% formed since 2020|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
456
Active

456 active UK companies are classified under cargo handling for air transport activities (SIC code 52242), a specialised sector. This sector falls under Section H — Transportation and storage — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 18% dissolution rate — 456 of 638 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 304.4% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 120% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 8.1 years. The sector is heavily concentrated in London, which accounts for 31% of all companies.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

456
Active Companies
H
SIC Section
1944
Oldest Company
304.4%
Growth (2020s)
8.1 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 304.4% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
21%
65%
Pre-1990: 15
1990s: 24
2000s: 47
2010s: 135
2020s: 411

Data Signals

Governance
1,9164 src
Financial
1,4126 src
Risk
2897 src
Trade
2702 src
Compliance
2078 src
innovation
182 src
ESG
123 src
operational
101 src
growth
92 src
quality
53 src

Sector Overview

The cargo handling for air transport activities sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">18% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 8.1 years old. Geographic concentration: 31% in LONDON.

18%
Dissolution rate
8.1 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 8 (44%)Large: 10 (56%)

Government Activity

Companies in the cargo handling for air transport activities sector have been awarded 4 government contracts worth £0.8M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cargo handling for air transport activities companies are there in the UK?

There are 456 active companies classified under SIC code 52242 (Cargo handling for air transport activities) in the UK, out of 638 total registered.

What is SIC code 52242?

SIC code 52242 stands for "Cargo handling for air transport activities". It belongs to Section H — Transportation and storage of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most cargo handling for air transport activities companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (140), BIRMINGHAM (19), HOUNSLOW (15).

What is the average age of cargo handling for air transport activities companies?

The average active cargo handling for air transport activities company in the UK is 8.1 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1944.

What government data is available for cargo handling for air transport activities companies?

Our database contains 4,148 data signals across 10 categories for active cargo handling for air transport activities companies. The largest category is Governance with 1,916 signals from 4 government sources.

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Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.