Dutch air cargo loses ground as Belgian airports expand

While maritime transport handles most international cargo flows to and from the Netherlands, air freight remains an important component of the country’s trade and logistics network. However, Dutch airports are facing increasing competition from neighbouring Belgium, while environmental restrictions continue to affect cargo operations at Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Since the early 2000s, total air cargo volumes handled by Dutch airports have remained around 1.5 million tons annually. Between 2016 and 2019, Dutch airports processed approximately 1.8 million tons per year. Volumes declined to 1.6 million tons in 2020 before recovering to 1.8 million tons during the post-pandemic period. Between 2022 and 2025, average annual throughput fell to 1.4 million tons, 15.2 per cent below the 2016-2019 average.

In contrast, Belgian airports recorded growth over the same period. Average annual cargo traffic increased by 36.2 per cent, rising from 1.3 million tons during 2016-2019 to 1.8 million tons during 2022-2025. Growth has been supported by both Brussels Airport and Liège Airport, with the latter benefiting from cross-border e-commerce traffic between China and Europe.

Air cargo in the Netherlands remains concentrated at Amsterdam-Schiphol, which handled 1,436,858 tons in 2025, accounting for 98 per cent of the country’s air freight volume. Despite a 4.1 per cent year-on-year decline, Schiphol retained its position as Europe’s third-largest cargo airport. The airport also serves as a hub for KLM-Martinair. In 2025, Air France-KLM recorded cargo traffic of 6,920 million tonne-kilometres, of which KLM-Martinair accounted for 3,145 million tonne-kilometres, down 7.2 per cent from 2024.

Asia remains Schiphol’s largest trading partner for air cargo, particularly on import flows. Trade with the Middle East is more balanced, while exports to the United States declined by 3.8 per cent in 2025 and imports remained stable.

Cargo growth at Schiphol continues to be influenced by environmental measures. Restrictions include limitations on aircraft movements, night-time bans for noisier aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400, and airport charges linked to aircraft noise levels.

Meanwhile, Maastricht Aachen Airport is pursuing growth in the cargo sector. The airport handled 41,636 tons of freight in 2025, up 46.3 per cent year-on-year, and has set a long-term target of 200,000 tons annually. The airport is currently focused on perishables, including vegetables, fruit, and flowers.

In 2023, Maastricht began runway upgrades and invested €70 million (US$80.6 million) in cargo facilities. A new operating licence application submitted in early 2026 seeks approval to use the full 2,750-metre runway. Schiphol Group acquired a 40 per cent stake in Maastricht Aachen Airport in 2023 as part of a cooperation agreement between the two airports.

Source: Upply