Brussels Airport Reports Strong Cargo Growth in March
Brussels Airport recorded 74,419 tonnes of cargo in March, representing an 8.8% year-on-year increase, highlighting continued resilience in air freight demand despite operational challenges.
Growth Driven by Freighters and Integrators
The overall increase was supported by solid performance across key cargo segments:
- Flown cargo rose by 5.1%
- Integrator traffic grew by 5.8%
- Full freighter volumes surged by 14.1%, driven by additional frequencies to Latin America and Asia
This growth reflects sustained demand for long-haul cargo capacity and strong activity on intercontinental trade lanes.
Decline in Belly Cargo
Despite the overall growth, belly cargo volumes fell by 8%, primarily due to:
- Cancelled passenger flights to the Middle East
- Operational disruption from a strike on 12 March
This highlights the continued dependence of belly capacity on stable passenger operations.
Surge in Trucked Cargo Volumes
A standout performer in March was trucked cargo, which increased by nearly 30%.
This suggests:
- Greater reliance on multimodal logistics
- Increased use of road feeder services to support air cargo flows
Key Trade Regions Remain Stable
Brussels Airport reported consistent trade patterns, with the top regions for both imports and exports being:
- Asia
- Africa
- North America
These regions continue to underpin the airport’s role as a major European cargo gateway.
Slight Decline in Flight Movements
Despite higher cargo volumes, total commercial flight movements saw a slight decrease of 0.7%, including:
- Passenger flights: -0.5%
- Cargo flights: -2.8%
This indicates improved efficiency and higher load factors, particularly in freighter operations.
Resilient Performance Amid Disruption
The March results demonstrate Brussels Airport’s ability to maintain cargo growth despite:
- Reduced passenger capacity
- Operational disruptions
With strong freighter demand and rising trucking volumes, the airport continues to play a critical role in European and global supply chains.