Vienna Airport records strongest year yet for air cargo operations
Vienna continued to strengthen its position as a transshipment hub, particularly for cargo flows between Asia, Europe, and North America.
Vienna Airport recorded its strongest cargo performance to date in 2025, handling 313,763 tonnes of freight and marking the highest annual volume in its history. The figure represents a 5.3 percent increase over the previous year, driven by expanded long haul connectivity, higher belly hold capacity, and sustained growth in e-commerce and pharmaceutical shipments.
The airport’s cargo performance was supported by rising demand across key logistics segments, with the Vienna Pharma Handling Centre also posting its best-ever result. Pharmaceutical volumes grew by 6.4 percent year on year, reflecting the increasing role of the airport in time and temperature-sensitive cargo movements across Europe and beyond.
“A strong cargo sector is a key success factor for airports. Air freight secures global supply chains and promotes economic growth. Vienna Airport plays a central role in this context—as a logistics hub and as the most important gateway for air cargo to Central and Eastern Europe. With global airlines at the location, a specialised service offering and a strong team, we are very well positioned,” said Julian Jägre, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.
Operational efficiency and network connectivity remained central to the airport’s performance during the year. Vienna continued to strengthen its position as a transshipment hub, particularly for cargo flows between Asia, Europe, and North America. Growth in long haul services contributed to higher cargo throughput, supported by coordinated ground handling and cargo processing operations.
“In air cargo, all processes must interlock seamlessly to ensure that shipments are handled efficiently and quickly at all times. Behind this record result is a strong team performance, with service quality for our customers as the top priority. Traditionally a leading transshipment hub for goods from Asia, the Vienna Cargo Hub benefited particularly in 2025 from growing volumes to North America. In 2026, we naturally aim to build on this positive development and are confident that we can achieve this together with our customers and partners,” said Michael Zach, Senior Vice President Ground Handling and Cargo Operations at Vienna Airport.
Import volumes reached 167,568 tonnes in 2025, reflecting a 2.8 percent increase over the previous year. These shipments were distributed across Central and Eastern Europe, reinforcing Vienna’s role as a regional logistics gateway. The rise was supported by continued growth in e-commerce traffic from Asia into European markets.
On the export side, cargo volumes rose more sharply, reaching 146,195 tonnes, an increase of 8.4 percent year on year. Higher outbound volumes were recorded particularly in the first half of the year, supported by shifts in US customs policy and strong demand for air freight capacity to Asia and North America.
Vienna Airport’s cargo operations benefit from its geographic position and infrastructure tailored for high-volume and long-haul logistics. The airport operates around the clock and offers ten Category F aircraft parking positions capable of handling widebody freighters such as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124. Its integration with European road feeders allows access to major commercial centres within 24 to 48 hours.
With expanding airline partnerships, specialised cargo handling facilities, and growing intercontinental volumes, Vienna Airport continues to strengthen its role as a key logistics hub for Central and Eastern Europe, positioning itself for further cargo growth in 2026.
