Brussels Airport reported an 11% year-on-year increase in total cargo volumes for September 2025, handling nearly 66,000 tonnes of freight despite operational disruptions caused by a cyberattack on one of its key technology providers.
The airport processed 65,799 tonnes of cargo during the month, with flown freight rising 17% to 57,650 tonnes, underscoring the hub’s resilience and growing strength in air cargo operations.
Freighter and Integrator Growth Drives Performance
Growth was led by a 9% increase in full-freighter volumes and a 29% surge in integrator shipments, reflecting strong demand across time-sensitive and high-value trade segments.
Belly cargo carried in passenger aircraft also rose 8%, while trucked cargo volumes saw an 18% decline, in part due to mode shifts and network realignment.
Key trade lanes continued to center on Asia, Africa, and North America, maintaining Brussels Airport’s position as one of Europe’s most strategic gateways for global air freight.
Cyberattack Impact and Operational Resilience
Passenger traffic reached 2.27 million, up 1% year-on-year, though growth was tempered by the cyberattack affecting Collins Aerospace, the airport’s external provider for check-in and boarding systems.
Between 20 and 28 September, several flights were cancelled as a result of the incident.
Airport authorities credited strong contingency planning and close collaboration among airport staff, airlines, and partners for minimizing the impact and ensuring the majority of scheduled operations continued uninterrupted.
Sustained Growth Through 2025
For the first nine months of 2025, Brussels Airport’s cargo volumes were up 13% compared with the same period in 2024, reinforcing its reputation as a leading European freight hub for pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and general cargo.
A spokesperson for Brussels Airport Company said:
“Despite operational challenges, our cargo community continues to demonstrate agility, resilience, and collaboration.
The consistent growth across flown cargo segments reflects both the confidence of our partners and Brussels Airport’s strategic importance in the global logistics network.”