Brussels Airport's 2016 cargo throughput rises 1.1pc
Brussels Airport registered a 1.1 per cent increase in cargo traffic in 2016 despite the impact of the terrorist attacks on March 22, buoyed by strong growth in the full-freighter segment which grew by 14.3 per cent.
Cargo transported by express services was up 1.5 per cent, while the existing DHL hub almost reached its maximum capacity, STAT Trade Times reported.
Cargo carried in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft declined by 12.6 per cent in 2016 due to the departure of Jet Airways at the end of March and the terrorist attacks. For 12 days there were no passenger flights at the airport so no cargo could be placed on these aircraft. Passenger flights gradually resumed to reach 100 per cent in June.
Cargo transport at Brussels Airport recorded 22 per cent growth in December in comparison with same month in the previous year on account of the doubling of the full-freighter transport (+88.9 per cent). Belly cargo fell by 5.5 per cent year on year, while integrator traffic rose by two per cent.
Strong figures were noted particularly in the second half of the year, so that the loss caused by the departure of Jet Airways and the impact of the attacks were compensated on a year basis. The transport of pharmaceutical products and perishable goods from and to Brussels Airport rose sharply last year compared to 2015.