Liege Airport sets new record, handles 717,000 tonnes air cargo

January 10, 2018: Setting an all-time record, Liege Airport, one of the leading cargo airports in Belgium handled 717,000 tonnes of goods during 2017, registering a 8.5 percent growth compared to 2016.

According to sources, global cargo business witnessed overall growth, driven by strong economic performances in Europe and emergence of new e-commerce opportunities.

Every Liege-based operator has registered growth. Additionally, two new airlines%u2014Air China Cargo and Air Bridge Cargo recently joined Liege Airport.

"It was a record year as we had never achieved such a tonnage since Liege Airport came into being in 1990. This confirms the relevance of our strategy of support for full cargo companies," said Luc Partoune, CEO of Liege Airport.

Similarly, Liege Airport fast-tracked its investment programme to support the growth of logistics companies and handlers.

"In next couple of weeks, a 6,000 m2 cargo hall will be in operation, besides over 20,000 m2 will be built along with four new parking stands for large aircraft. The overall investment is expected to the tune of 50 million euros," said Partoune.

The real estate activity is being handled by its subsidiary%u2014Liege Airport Business Park. It also registered 97 percent occupancy rate for office space and 100 percent for warehouses.

An architecture competition is expected to be announced shortly to design an office development in the immediate proximity of the passenger terminal.

In fact during 2017, Liege Airport registered 192,000 passengers and the number of flights stood at 37,199. Its net income is stands at about 2.4 million euros.