Vienna Airport has reported double-digit percentage improvements in cargo volumes in the first quarter, with throughput now exceeding pre-Covid levels.
The Austrian airport handled 68,058 tons of freight in the first three months of the year – a 16% year-on-year increase and 2% improvement on 2019 levels.
The hub also pointed out that its pharma volumes – a sector the operator has been investing in over recent years – improved by 6.9% on a year ago to 886 tons.
“The positive figures are a primarily result of the significant increases in belly cargo on passenger aircraft,” the airport firm said.
“Compared to the previous year, the resurgence in air traffic has created additional cargo space, which is in high demand.”
In the first quarter, the volume of belly cargo increased by 52% to 27,131 tons, while volumes carried by freighter aircraft declined by 12% to 20,238 tons.
“In addition to one-off effects in the previous year, the main reason for the decline in the freighter-only sector was the transfer of cargo shipments to passenger aircraft,” the airport explained.
Meanwhile, the volume of trucking increased by 15% year on year to 20,678 tons.
Imported freight was up 14% to 37,468 tons and exports improved by 17% to 30,572 tons.
Michael Zach, head of handling services at Flughafen Wien, said: “The development of airfreight in the first quarter gives us cause for optimism. Demand for airfreight is picking up noticeably, both for general cargo and for pharmaceutical shipments, which we handle in our own state-of-the-art pharmaceutical centre.
“The flight schedule change has already added additional long-haul capacity to North America and Asia. We are prepared for further growth in order to strengthen and expand our role as an air cargo hub for Central and Eastern Europe with these and other connections to international markets.”