Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled 738,414 tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2024, up 8.7 percent from 2023 half year figures.

Belly cargo grew by 23.3 percent year-on-year to 305,593 tonnes following a 12.5 percent growth in passenger flights, with full freighter cargo tonnage holding at a steady 432 820 tonnes despite a 5.4 percent drop in freighter flights.

“Global trade development as well as geopolitical disruptions have boosted demand for air transport,” said Olaf van Reeden, Cargo Partnerships Director, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

“Schiphol connects 303 destinations, and we are focused on maximizing the use of our ad hoc slots to continue to support our customers with freighter capacity.

“Working closely with all industry stakeholders, we achieved a 13% growth in freighter capacity.”

North American and African exports showed the strongest growth at 22 percent and 26 percent year-on-year respectively.

Inbound cargo from the Middle East and Europe grew by 19 percent and 20 percent respectively.