Brussels Airport’s cargo tonnage fell by 3.2 per cent January compared to the same month last year as 55,030 tonnes were handled – as freighter volumes drove the decline.
The Belgian gateway said it was the first time in months that the freight sector has recorded a slightly negative growth, but it pointed out that a fall in traffic was also seen at many European airports in November and December.
Cargo carried on freighter aircraft declined by 17.3 per cent to 11,283 tonnes compared to the same month last year. This decrease the airport said was mainly due to certain airlines cutting back their flights.
The airport said cargo carried by express operators is decreasing in weight (-5.2 per cent) to 16,925 tonnes, which is the trend in recent months where e-commerce is increasing. These products have a lighter weight than traditional cargo.
The increase in the number of long-haul flights generated an increase of 8.5 per cent in belly cargo to 12,678 tonnes, compared to January last year. Trucked cargo grew by 3.5 per cent to 14,145 tonnes.
