Dutch air cargo stagnates at 1.4M tonnes, Belgium airports grow by 36% 

NETHERLANDS – Dutch air cargo volumes averaged 1.4 million tonnes annually between 2022 and 2025, 15.2% below the 2016-2019 average, while Belgian airports recorded a 36.2% increase over the same period, rising from 1.3 million to 1.8 million tonnes.  

Air cargo in the Netherlands remains concentrated at Amsterdam-Schiphol, which handled 1,436,858 tonnes in 2025, representing 98% of the country’s air freight volume.  

Schiphol’s Decline and Environmental Constraints 

Despite a 4.1% year-on-year decline, Schiphol retained its position as Europe’s third-largest cargo airport. Asia remains Schiphol’s largest air cargo trading partner, particularly for imports. Trade with the Middle East is more balanced, while exports to the United States declined by 3.8% in 2025, and imports remained stable. 

Cargo growth at Schiphol continues to be shaped by environmental measures. Restrictions include limits on aircraft movements, night-time bans on noisier aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400, and airport charges linked to aircraft noise levels.  

Maastricht Aachen Airport’s Rise and Perishables Focus 

Meanwhile, Maastricht Aachen Airport is pursuing growth in the cargo sector. The airport handled 41,636 tonnes of freight in 2025, up 46.3% year on year, and has set a long-term target of 200,000 tonnes per year.  

The airport is currently focused on perishables, including vegetables, fruit, and flowers. In 2023, Maastricht began runway upgrades and invested €70 million (US$80.6 million) in cargo facilities.  

A new operating license application, submitted in early 2026, seeks approval to use the full 2,750-metre runway. Schiphol Group acquired a 40% stake in Maastricht Aachen Airport in 2023 as part of a cooperation agreement between the two airports. 

Belgium’s Growth and E-Commerce Traffic 

Belgian airports recorded growth, supported by both Brussels Airport and Liège Airport, with the latter benefiting from cross-border e-commerce traffic between China and Europe. In 2025, Air France-KLM recorded cargo traffic of 6,920 million tonne-kilometres, of which KLM-Martinair accounted for 3,145 million tonne-kilometres, down 7.2% on 2024. 

As the Netherlands balances economic logistics goals against strict ecological mandates, the strategic partnership between Schiphol and Maastricht, via Schiphol Group’s 40% stake, offers a means to redirect perishable cargo to a less-constrained facility.  

Lastly, this shifting landscape illustrates how the Netherlands must balance economic logistics goals against strict ecological mandates and rising regional competition, particularly for perishable goods destined for European markets. 

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