The Netherlands’ main international airport saw an 8.7% rise in cargo handled in the first half of 2024 compared to the 2023 half-year figures. The global export markets showing the strongest growth were North America and Africa, with 22% and 26% year-on-year rises respectively.
The Statistics
Data shows that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Schiphol Airport) handled 738,414 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2024.
This was made up of belly cargo (cargo that is carried in the lower deck of a passenger aircraft) which grew by 23% year-on-year to 305,593 tonnes and full freighter cargo which remained steady at 432,820 tonnes. The increase in belly cargo handled follows a 12.5% growth in passenger flights during the same period, with full freighter cargo remaining stable despite a 5.4% drop in freighter flights.
While the strongest growth markets were North America and Africa, the amount of inbound cargo from the Middle East and Europe also rose by 19% and 20% respectively.
Olaf van Reeden, Cargo Partnerships Director, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol said:
Global trade development as well as geopolitical disruptions have boosted demand for air transport. Schiphol connects 303 destinations, and we are focused on maximising the use of our ad hoc slots to continue to support our customers with freighter capacity. Working closely with all industry stakeholders, we achieved a 13% growth in freighter capacity.
Benefits of Healthy Cargo Growth
Profits from air cargo generally represent a small percentage of an airport’s revenue. It does however help an airport to diversify its income streams. It also has a positive impact on local industries by attracting new, high-value businesses and facilitating regional trade.
More broadly, air cargo is a crucial component of global trade and can impact a country’s economic development greatly, providing huge employment opportunities for local workforces. On some long-haul routes, belly cargo can dictate whether a flight is profitable or loss-making.