Cargo volume at Brussels airport rose significantly in March to 43,785 tonnes, up 8.2 per cent on the same month in 2014, said the airport authority.
The European hub also had a strong first quarter, with volumes up 10 per cent to reach 120,117 tonnes.
Growth was spread across all segments, although freighter traffic (cargo and integrator) grew appreciably more quickly in March – a 10.4 per cent increase to 30,743 tonnes – than the relatively small bellyhold component (3.2 per cent to 13,042 tonnes).
For the first quarter, freighter traffic grew 11.3 per cent (to reach 84,139 tonnes) versus 6.1 per cent (35,977 tonnes) for bellyhold.
Brussels also pointed out its “significant growth in the full-freighter segment” compared with other European airports which, on average, saw decreases in this sector.
Express services also achieved substantial growth, with DHL notching up stable double-digit volume growth in recent years.
The airport said it was reaping the rewards of years of strategic investment in cargo, specialising in complex logistical processes such as transporting temperature-sensitive products and pharmaceuticals.
