Vienna Airport reports 22% cargo growth in 2024, driven by pharma
With a total of 4,238 tonnes, the airport achieved an all-time high in pharma handling (up 15%).
Vienna Airport ended 2024 with record figures for air cargo volumes: a total of 297,945 tonnes were handled, an increase of 22 percent compared to the previous year and +five percent compared to the pre-crisis year 2019.
"The positive development of long-haul services boosted the cargo results at the airport as there was strong demand for the additional belly capacities in passenger aircrafts. With a total of 4,238 tonnes in 2024, the airport also achieved a new all-time high in pharma handling (up 15.3 percent)," says an official release.
Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO, Vienna Airport says: "With the best cargo results in the history of Vienna Airport, we are strengthening our position as a central hub for air cargo services in Central and Eastern Europe. This record clearly proves our first-class infrastructure and high quality of service, convincing customers worldwide. The strong growth is evident in both imported goods and global exports. The record regarding pharmaceutical handling is particularly pleasing: Vienna Airport is thus establishing itself even more strongly as a leading logistics expert for pharmaceutical shipments."
Michael Zach, Senior Vice President, Ground Handling & Cargo Operations, Vienna Airport adds: "The record result for 2024 marks an impressive achievement by our cargo handling team. At the same time, we have set the course for further positive development. With the extension of the handling contract with Lufthansa Cargo and the IATA certification for the handling of lithium batteries, we have already taken the next steps to maintain a sustained growth path."
The return of major airlines from Asia such as Hainan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) to Vienna provided additional attractive belly capacities between Vienna and Shenzhen, Chengdu and Tokyo, the release added. "Simultaneously, airlines such as Qatar Airways increased their frequencies to Vienna. The additional cargo space led to a significant increase of 44 percent in the cargo transported on passenger aircraft to 125,103 tonnes. With 82,610 tonnes, freighter-only cargo remained approximately at previous year’s level, (minus three percent)."
Vienna Airport is among the few airports in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region to have its own competence centre for pharmaceutical handling with an interruption-free cold chain for pharmaceutical goods, the release added.
