Air Cargo Netherlands launches Maastricht branch
15 / 12 / 2023
Maarten van As. Photo: Air Cargo Netherlands via Meantime Communications
Trade association Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN) has launched a new branch for the Maastricht region to unite the air cargo community surrounding Maastricht Aachen Airport.
ACN Maastricht’s primary focus is on shaping the future development of the airport cargo hub.
The new group is also anticipated to give the local companies surrounding the airport a platform and voice in the global industry.
Air Cargo Netherlands director Maarten van As said: “Maastricht Aachen Airport is strategically located in the Eu Region and has proven itself in recent years as the second cargo airport in the Netherlands.
“The airport is the basis of a logistics ecosystem in this region that can become stronger if the airport, local forwarders and logistics partners join forces.
“In addition, there are opportunities in coordinating logistics processes and systems with Schiphol Airport, where ACN wants to take on a connecting role.”
Alongside van As, Arjan Hage, managing partner with Maastricht Logistics Services, was also at the launch event.
“Maastricht Airport is located in a very enterprising region with a strong international focus – as a local entrepreneur, I am convinced that if we join forces in the field of air freight here in the region, this will be good for us, for the region, and for the airport,” said Hage.
“By working together, we increase the international visibility of the air freight market in the Maastricht Aachen Airport region, and we are strengthening the power of South Limburg as a logistics hotspot.
“In addition to getting to know each other and strengthening the identity of the South Limburg air freight chain, this collaboration offers us opportunities to better connect processes and make working methods more efficient.”
Forwarders, truckers, handlers, airlines, and logistics service providers are represented among the founding members, with government representation now being explored.
Earlier this year, Royal Schiphol Group purchased a 40% stake in Maastricht Aachen Airport.
The €4.2m investment saw the airport group become the second shareholder in the airport alongside the province of Limburg, which owns the remaining 60%.
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