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BRUSSELS AIRPORT

YOUR PERISHABLES

GATEWAY IN EUROPE

Brussels Airport is stepping up as one of Europe’s leading hubs for perishables by handling
more than 154,000 tonnes in 2023, 22 percent of the airport's total cargo volume. With cutting-
edge infrastructure and expanded airline connections, the airport is primed to meet the growing
demand for fast, reliable transit of sensitive goods across continents.

Libin Chacko Kurian

t has been long since Brussels Airport At Brussels Airport, flowers are the most The announced reason for the
Company, the operator and manager transported perishable goods, followed by increased flights is to ship flowers from
of Brussels Airport (BRU), established fruits & vegetables, fish and meat. They are Ecuador to Europe and return to Latin
Iitself as a cargo gateway for Europe primarily imported from Central Africa and America with pharmaceuticals. This shows
and in particular for certain commodities South America. the airport's growing influence on global
like pharmaceuticals and perishables. It is very important for an airport cargo perishable trade.
In the calendar year 2023, 22 percent hub to be connected to both the outside “Brussels Airport is served by a wide
of Brussels Airport's total cargo volume world and the nearby consumption range of airlines, both passenger and
was perishables, which is more than markets. freighters, offering routes to global desti-
154,000 tonnes. Brussels Airport links to the world nations. This strong international connec-
“This indicates that our airport has been through 72 airlines offering flights to 220 tivity links Brussels Airport to key markets
successfully increasing its capacity and direct destinations, a significant connec- in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and
efficiency in handling perishable goods, tivity for perishables trade. beyond,” says Bettoni.
catering to growing demand in this sec- For instance, from 27 October 2024, the Brussels Airport’s location also pro-
tor,” says Dimitri Bettoni, Head of Cargo Latin American airline LATAM Cargo has vides excellent connectivity to major
- Product & Network Development at Brus- tripled the number of flights to Brussels European markets.
sels Airport Company. Airport, from four to twelve per week, Bettoni informed, “With transit times of just
This makes Brussels Airport an impor- Operated by a Boeing 767 freighter, this 3 to 4 hours to several hubs in neighbouring
tant logistics hub in the entire global makes Brussels Airport LATAM Cargo's countries, perishable goods can reach their
perishable value chain. main European hub. destination swiftly and efficiently.”
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