Frankfurt Airport has reported steady growth in air cargo volumes in 2025, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s leading freight hubs, despite passenger traffic in Germany lagging behind other European markets.
Total cargo volumes at Frankfurt, including air freight and airmail, rose by 1.1% last year to around 2.1 million tonnes, according to airport operator Fraport. Aircraft movements also increased, with more than 460,000 take-offs and landings recorded, up 4.4% on 2024. The total maximum take-off weight handled at the airport rose by 2.5% to around 28.5 million tonnes, reflecting higher aircraft utilisation and cargo capacity.
Cargo growth continued into December, with volumes rising by 2.6% year on year to 173,610 tonnes. Aircraft movements during the month increased by 4.2%, while total take-off weights also edged higher.
Fraport said Frankfurt’s extensive global network continued to support cargo demand. In 2025, a total of 94 airlines served 301 destinations in 96 countries from the airport, making Frankfurt Europe’s leading hub for connectivity. The airport’s long-haul network remains a key advantage for the transport of high-value and time-sensitive goods.
Passenger traffic at Frankfurt reached around 63.2 million in 2025, an increase of 2.6% on the previous year. European routes performed strongly, while intercontinental growth was more modest. However, the airport remains around 10% below pre-pandemic passenger levels, highlighting the slower recovery of the German aviation market.
Fraport’s chief executive, Stefan Schulte, said international operations across the group continued to drive growth, with several overseas airports setting new records. He added that further measures were needed to reduce costs and taxes in Germany if the country’s aviation sector is to remain competitive with other European markets.
Across Fraport’s global portfolio, total passenger numbers rose by 5.3% in 2025 to nearly 184 million, supporting cargo flows through major hubs such as Frankfurt, Lima and Antalya.
Fraport said it expects demand for air cargo to remain resilient in 2026, supported by global trade, e-commerce and the continued importance of reliable air freight links.