Freight Liege Airport to invest over 50 million euros in cargo

Over the course of a strong structural growth in the forgone year, the airport has decided to prioritise cargo even more. By creating four new parking areas for cargo planes, the total planned investment will raise to 50 million euros. The parking area is expected to be finished by 2019.

Luc Partoune, CEO of Liege Airport explains the reason for the ongoing growth at Liege: “First, the global cargo business is undergoing general growth driven by good economic performance in Europe, but also by the emergence of new niches driven by e-commerce. And the saturation of Amsterdam airport has changed the situation”

With the new strategy, called “#Freighterfirst”, the Airport will create more than 300 new jobs.

In October, Partoune announced to accomplish investments of over 20 million euros for new facilities: “In 2018 Liege Airport will increase its storage space as a priority. Nearly 20,000 sq. m. of additional warehouses and equipment are planned, representing an increase of 30% of our cargo handling capacity. The first hall of 6,000 sq. m. will be available in January 2018 and the other warehouses will be operational by the end of 2018. Our strong points, labelled Flexpress - free areas, no slots and quality service - appeal to operators”

Regarding air cargo operations, Air China Cargo will increase its cargo operations between Shanghai and Liege in 2018 even more. Furthermore, the Russian company Air Bridge Cargo has announced in early October, to establish a hub at Liege Airport, which underlines the upswing of the airport.

Liege Airport has become the 8th biggest cargo airport in Europe and the biggest in Belgium. 2017 will close as a record year, with over 700,000 tonnes of freight handled.