Liège Airport is strengthening its position as a major European pharmaceutical air cargo hub, supported by expanded scheduled freighter operations connecting Belgium with Chicago and Dubai.
The development follows the expansion of Emirates SkyCargo’s operations at Liège Airport, where the airline introduced scheduled freighter services after several years of operating occasional flights. The new network initially included five weekly Boeing 777 freighter services, with three flights connecting Liège with Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
These dedicated services primarily support the movement of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, providing an important link between healthcare supply chains in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The transportation of pharmaceutical cargo requires specialised handling, temperature-controlled storage and careful coordination throughout the supply chain. Liège Airport has developed dedicated infrastructure to support these requirements, including more than 55,000 square metres of refrigerated storage and specialised pharmaceutical handling facilities.
The airport’s cargo-focused operations and round-the-clock services help logistics providers manage time-critical shipments while maintaining the required conditions for sensitive medical products.
The expanded air connectivity also supports freight forwarders and pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking reliable transportation for medicines, healthcare products and other temperature-controlled shipments.
Liège Airport reported that its cargo volumes reached 219,807 tonnes in January and February 2026, representing an 18.6% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Export volumes rose 25%, while exports to North America increased 86%, highlighting the growing importance of transatlantic cargo flows.
The reported movement of more than 10,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical cargo to Chicago further underscores the importance of dedicated air freight capacity and cold-chain logistics in supporting international healthcare trade.
With expanding airline partnerships and specialised cargo infrastructure, Liège Airport continues to strengthen its role in Europe’s pharmaceutical logistics network.