Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) reported a 27 percent year-on-year increase in trucked freight volumes for 2023, offsetting a drop in flown cargo following last year’s EUR35.3 million runway improvement works.

The huge rise in trucked freight, where MAA provides fulfilment services including repacking, sorting, and customs handling, comes as flown cargo volumes were reported 70 percent down compared to the same period 2022.

Trucked freight increased from 11,120 metric tonnes to 31,056 metric tonnes from January to December 2023, whilst flown freight was down from 108,218 metric tonnes to 32,275 metric tonnes for the same period.

“MAA’s strategy to focus on, and improve, trucked freight volumes was, in part, a response to the impact the improvements on our runway were, and are, sure to bring about,” said Jonas van Stekelenburg, MAA chief.

“The fantastic team at MAA managed to significantly offset the drop off in flown cargo volumes brought about by MAA’s runway improvement project and we are now well positioned to get flown cargo volumes back to 2022 levels and well beyond.”

The Limburg-based regional air hub invested EUR35.3 million to upgrade its airstrip as part of a plan to extend the runway’s operational length to 2,750 meters by end of 2025.

In addition to the essential closure of the runway, van Stekelenburg also referred to the tough year for air freight globally for the reduction in MAA’s flown freight, emphasising that regional cargo airports were more affected by volatility in the market than hub airports.

Looking forward, van Stekelenburg was up-beat, pointing to a promising recovery in air freight volumes towards the end of 2023, which he expects to continue.

“The focus on the restructuring of MAA from board level downwards throughout 2023 has made way for keen focus on the development of its wider commercial activities,” said van Stekelenburg.

Air Cargo Netherlands in December launched a branch at MAA and is working with newly appointed head of commercial development, Dean Boljuncic, on a regional cargo community.

“MAA’s newly-launched commercial department in November last year, as part of its overall growth strategy, has already led to key discussions taking place with various airlines for 2024 and beyond,” van Stekelenburg noted.