Air cargo volumes on the rise at European airports

Airfreight shipments in June increased 13 percent at Heathrow, 4.7 percent at Frankfurt and growth ranged from 18.7 percent to 7.9 percent in Slovenian and Bulgarian airports, according to Air Cargo Week.    European airports have seen cargo volumes increase for the most part in June. 
   Heathrow Airport handled 142,349 metric tons of cargo in June, a 13 percent increase compared to a year prior. Cargo between Latin America and the UK airport increased 38 percent compared to the 2016, with North America remaining the largest cargo market for Heathrow, with a 15.8 percent increase over the year prior.
   Cargo was up 9.1 percent in the first six months of 2017 to 823,322 metric tons and 6.7 percent to 1.6 million metric tons on a rolling 12-month basis.
   As a result, the airport has undergone expansion efforts, which the Secretary of State Chris Grayling said enjoys “widespread political support.” American Airlines cargo opened a new expanded pharmaceutical cargo facility at the airport, while Heathrow and the Department of International Trade have launched the “World of Opportunity” program to encourage British SME’s to export abroad, according to the airport.
   Frankfurt Airport in Germany handled 188,256 metric tons of cargo in June, an increase of 4.7 percent from a year prior. The airport cites ongoing economic growth in the Eurozone’s industrial sector as a cause behind the increased volumes. For the first half of the year, cargo volumes have been up 4.8 percent, or just under 1.1 million metric tons.
   Other European airports, such as in Slovenia and Bulgaria, have seen growth ranging from 18.7 percent in June in Slovenia and 7.9 percent in Bulgaria. Germany’s Hannover-Langenhagen Airport, however, was down 27.8 percent in June to 1,121 metric tons of cargo, according to Air Cargo Week.