The 2016 figures have been released and confirm Liege Airport's leading role in freight transport in Europe. With more than 660,000 tons of goods in transit, Liege airport is the leading cargo airport in Belgium and the 8th in Europe. Passenger activity has also greatly progressed (+27%) following the attack on Brussels National airport last March.
In 2016, Liege Airport continued to be at the top of the podium for freight in Belgium with 660,604 tons compared to 649,829 tons in 2015 (+1.7%). "Growth for cargo stands at about 2%, which is exceptional in this field. The activity has been supported for all our companies with significant increases for CAL, El Al and Qatar Airways,” explains Luc Partoune, Director-General of Liege Airport. "In a transition phase following the purchase by Fedex, TNT continues to perform well and remains, by far, our leading client."
The number of passengers has also increased greatly following the attack on Brussels Airport. Thus, more than 382,000 passengers passed through Liege Airport (namely a 27% increase). "It is an exceptional year because, in three weeks, we managed 150,000 passengers who did not know our airport and 1,600 aeroplane movements by companies that were also discovering our facilities."
Bierset airport is also successfully pursuing its diversification strategy via its subsidiary Liege Airport Business Park. A new 6,000 m² cargo hall will be built in 2017 representing an investment of €4 million.
Source: CCI Mag
