European airports post best half-year for freight since 2010

Through the first six months of 2017, airports in Europe have seen freight volumes jump 8.7 percent from the same 2016 period, signaling greater global growth in air cargo, according to the latest figures from Airports Council International.    Airfreight traffic at airports in Europe in the first six months of 2017 has recorded its best half-year performance since 2010, according to European industry body Airports Council International (ACI).
   The 8.7 percent increase in traffic reflects an improved global market, in particular an 7.8 percent rise in cargo at EU airports and a 14.4 percent jump at non-EU gateways, according to ACI data.
   Of the major gateways, Moscow Sheremetyevo saw the biggest rise in volumes, at 32.8 percent to 102,897 metric tons. There was also a big rise for London Gatwick at 20.5 percent or 42,376 metric tons, and for London Heathrow at 9.1 percent or 823,320 metric tons.
   Turkey’s Istanbul Ataturk airport saw a 15 percent increase to 485,754 metric tons while the French capital gateway of Paris experienced a 2.5 percent rise to 965,704 metric tons. Paris Orly, on the other hand, experienced a 20.3 percent drop in freight to 42,039 metric tons.
   Europe’s busiest cargo hub, Frankfurt airport, saw a 5.7 percent rise to 1.04 million metric tons, the largest freight volume analyzed by ACI.
   “For Europe’s airports, this is by far the best first half-year traffic performance in more than 10 years,” said Oliver Jankovex, director general of ACI Europe. “The outlook is very positive for the rest of the year with the economy – especially in the Eurozone – expected to maintain its growth trajectory and oil prices set to remain contained. Of course, this is assuming there are no new geopolitical upsets.
   “Having said that, Brexit remains the number one worry for many airport CEOs – given the continued uncertainty surrounding negotiations. The countdown to March 2019 keeps ticking and if no progress is achieved in the coming months, we are likely to see negative impacts on aviation kick in already next year,” said Jankovex.