Vienna Airport sees 8% cargo growth in strong start to 2025

Vienna Airport reported a strong start to 2025, handling 73,280 tonnes of cargo in the first quarter—an 8% increase over the same period last year. That’s an additional 5,222 tonnes moving through Austria’s main hub, reflecting both market momentum and stronger demand across key cargo segments.

This upward trend didn’t stop with March. In April alone, Vienna Airport moved 26,999 tonnes, showing a robust 13% increase compared to April 2024, further signalling a healthy trajectory for the year.

One of the key drivers behind this growth has been the rise in belly cargo—freight transported in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Despite a slight drop in volumes carried by dedicated freighter flights, Vienna Airport recorded 31,477 tonnes of belly cargo between January and March, marking a 16% jump year-over-year. April brought even better results, with 11,421 tonnes of belly cargo, representing a 17% increase.

Meanwhile, pharmaceutical cargo also played a vital role. The airport’s dedicated Pharma Handling Center, known for maintaining an unbroken cold chain, handled 913 tonnes in Q1—a 3% rise compared to the same time last year. Vienna remains one of the few airports in Central and Eastern Europe with such a specialized facility, making it an increasingly preferred hub for temperature-sensitive goods.

When breaking down the flow of cargo, import volumes saw a modest lift of 1%, with 37,946 tonnes arriving in Austria via Vienna. On the other hand, export volumes surged by 16%, totalling 35,334 tonnes, as more Austrian goods found their way to global markets.

These numbers reflect Vienna Airport’s strong position not just as a logistics hub, but as a gateway connecting Europe to the world, backed by growing belly capacity, specialised pharma services, and a consistent focus on quality operations.