FRA throughput down

Frankfurt Airport’s (FRA) cargo throughput slipped 1.2% year-on-year in November, recording the first monthly decrease in airfreight volumes in 2021 while passenger numbers rose.

The German airfreight hub handled 192,298 tonnes (airfreight + airmail) last month, compared with November 2019, when cargo traffic was up 3.0%.

By contrast, some 2.9m passengers passed through Frankfurt airport in November, an increase of 341.5% year-on-year, albeit compared to a very weak November 2020.

For the current month of December 2021, traffic growth is expected to slow down again, as a result of the resurgence in coronavirus infection rates and related travel restrictions.

FRA’s continued passenger traffic recovery in November was driven by sustained demand for European holiday travel and a rise in intercontinental traffic, including North America.

The reopening of the US to international air travel in early November also had a positive impact on passenger figures.

Fraport’s Group airports worldwide also largely continued their positive passenger trend in November 2021. Most of them achieved significant passenger growth. Traffic volumes at some airports even rose by over 100% year-on-year, though this is compared to strongly reduced traffic levels in November 2020.

In October, Air Cargo News reported that cargo shipments at Frankfurt Airport are continuing to face delays as a result of high demand and new customs procedures for imports.

New cargo customs requirements add to the strain at Frankfurt