Liège rolls out the red carpet for freighters, while competitors cut slots

Liège Airport is investing more than €20 million into new warehouses and cargo handling facilities, opening its doors to the cargo business during a time when other regional airports are struggling with overcapacity and limited cargo slots.

Over the course of the next year, Liège plans to add nearly 20,000 square feet of cargo facilities, with the first 6,000 slated to come online in January.

Luc Partoune, CEO of Liège Airport, explained that “the saturation of Amsterdam airport has changed the situation,” positioning Liège in a favorable position for long-term growth as general cargo, and growing niches such as e-commerce, push up volumes.

Recent months have seen major cargo carriers, such as Air China Cargo and AirBridgeCargo Airlines, add routes into the airport or increase frequencies.

“In 2018, Liège Airport will increase its storage space as a priority,” said Partoune. “Nearly 20,000 square meters of additional warehouses and equipment are planned, representing an increase of 30 percent of our cargo handling capacity.”