Vienna Airport set a new record for air cargo in 2024, handling 297,945 tonnes of cargo, a 22% increase from the previous year and a 5% rise compared to 2019, the pre-crisis year. The growth was driven by strong demand for long-haul services and additional belly cargo capacity in passenger aircraft. The airport also achieved a record high of 4,238 tonnes in pharmaceutical cargo handling, marking a 15.3% increase.
Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, stated, “This record performance reinforces our position as a key air cargo hub in Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights our world-class infrastructure and service quality, attracting customers globally. We’re particularly pleased with the growth in pharmaceutical shipments, as we solidify our role as a logistics leader in this sector.”
Michael Zach, Senior Vice President of Ground Handling & Cargo Operations, added, “This milestone is a testament to our cargo team’s efforts, setting the stage for future growth. With the extension of our handling contract with Lufthansa Cargo and IATA certification for lithium battery handling, we’re prepared for continued success.”
The return of major Asian airlines, such as Hainan Airlines and ANA, as well as increased frequencies from carriers like Qatar Airways, bolstered cargo growth. These developments resulted in a 44% rise in cargo carried on passenger aircraft, totaling 125,103 tonnes. Freighter-only cargo remained stable at 82,610 tonnes, down 3%. Trucked cargo also saw a 24% increase to 90,199 tonnes. Import volumes rose by 20% to 163,026 tonnes, driven by growing e-commerce from Asia, while exports grew by 23% to 134,918 tonnes, primarily to Asia and the USA.
Vienna Airport’s Pharma Handling Center also saw significant growth, surpassing its 2023 record with 4,238 tonnes handled, up 15.3%. The center, which provides temperature-sensitive goods handling, is one of the few such facilities in the CEE region, offering a seamless cold chain for pharmaceutical shipments.