Brussels Airport handled 7.1% more flown cargo in March this year (58,105 tonnes) than in the same month of 2024, while total cargo volumes moving through the gateway increased by 5.7% compared to the same month of last year, reaching 68,427 tonnes.
There was a 4.7% decline in the full-freighter component of the totals segment, while belly cargo increased by 8.1% year on year.
Integrator cargo traffic was up 18.2% compared to March 2024, while trucked volumes were down 1.7%.
The primary import regions for the cargo traffic were Asia, Africa and North America. The major export regions were again Asia, followed by Africa and North America.
CMA CGM’s takeover of Air Belgium
At the start of this month, it was reported that CMA CGM’s planned takeover of Air Belgium’s cargo operations had taken a step forward after it gained court approval for the deal, which includes the firm’s fleet of four freighters.
The Marseille-based shipping giant gained authorisation for the takeover from the Brabant Wallon Business court on 27 March after it submitted a proposal on 19 March.
The offer includes the full takeover of Air Belgium’s cargo operations, along with its fleet of four aircraft: two Airbus A330-243Fs and two Boeing 747-8Fs.
“Positions in administrative, operational, ground, and flight staff, as well as flight crew (across all aircraft categories), will be maintained, regardless of contract type,” Air Belgium told Air Cargo News.
“The company’s activities will continue to develop from Brussels and Liège airports.”