Liege Airport’s cargo volumes take a hit

Liege Airport registered a double-digit percentage decline in air cargo volumes last year as the loss of a large customer and the resumption of bellyhold operations elsewhere took their toll.

The airport handled 1.1m tonnes of freight last year, which is 19.3% down on the 1.4m tonnes processed in 2021.

The airport said the decrease followed two strong years of growth where it benefitted from a rise in the use of freighters to transport cargo due to reduced bellyhold operations and a rise in e-commerce.

The resumption of passenger services and therefore bellyhold operations to other airports, the loss of Russia-based AirBridgeCargo due to restrictions related to the war in Ukraine, the impact of inflation on consumer spending, and a modal shift back to sea transport also affected performance.

The cargo-specialist airport added that it was not the only airport to report a decrease in cargo volumes last year.

“This decrease was predictable, given the geopolitical instability created by the war in Ukraine, the current global tensions and the Covid zero strategy in China,” said Laurent Jossart,
chief executive of Liege Airport.

“For us more specifically, we have to add the restructuring of FedEx and the stop of AirBridgeCargo activities.

“The double-digit inflation also had a significant negative impact on consumption, e-commerce and therefore on the overall flow of goods.”

Liege Airport is also awaiting the outcome of an appeal against an environmental permit that limits on flights and noise.

VDG confirms suspension of AirBridgeCargo and Atran operations

Liege Airport appeals permit that will reduce “activities drastically and rapidly”