Belgium’s Liege Airport has reported that from January to the end of June the number of cargo aircraft movements was up 12% on the same period in 2023 (12,987 vs. 11,604).

Tonnage at the airport also increased 15% (566,117 tonnes vs. 492,295 tonnes) over the first six months of 2024 when compared with the first six months of 2023, reflecting a strong improvement in the average aircraft load factor.

Liege Airport ranks as the 5th cargo airport in Europe and is the only European airport giving priority to full cargo, specialised in perishables, pharmaceutical, express, e-commerce,
medical, humanitarian material and live animals.

In June 2024 alone, the number of cargo aircraft movements at the airport was up 9% on June 2023 (2,157 vs. 1,977) and tonnage rose from 78,786 tonnes in June 2023 to 95,514 tonnes in June 2024, a 21% increase.

Liege Airport claims this volume growth exceeds the global trend for freight transport, as noted in the latest analysis published by Xeneta: “Demand in June was +13% year-on-year, continuing the upward trend seen throughout the first half of 2024. The e-commerce boom, disruptions in ocean freight due to conflict in the Red Sea, and general improvements in global manufacturers’ activities were the three main pillars driving up global air cargo in June.”

Liege Airport says that the airport’s growth has been virtuous, with the share of night flights reduced from 33.23% of total flights in 2023 to 31.45% in 2024, and the number of flights operated by aircraft with poorer acoustic performance, the B747-400 and B747-200, reduced by 3% compared to 2023.

Laurent Jossart, chief executive of Liege Airport, said: “Our portfolio of airlines (over 40) and logistics providers (over 50) is growing, with the arrival of Hong Kong Air Cargo, My Freighter Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Ninatrans, Fracht Group, etc., enabling us to diversify our markets.

“The outlook for the rest of the year is equally positive.”

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