Munich Airport is setting a strong pace in 2025, with cargo volumes climbing well ahead of the German average, driven by a surge in long-haul belly capacity and demand across North America and Asia.
In March alone, tonnage grew by 18.4 percent, while the airport closed the first quarter with an overall increase of 8.7 percent compared to the previous year. This contrasts sharply with the national airfreight decline of 1 percent.
“The current month of April continues to be very positive, with an increase of 12.4 percent, and we expect further cargo growth for us if the economy remains stable,” said Markus Heinelt, Director Traffic Development Cargo at Munich Airport.
With a record 357 weekly intercontinental flights to 49 destinations scheduled this summer, the airport expects belly capacity on long-haul routes to remain the main growth driver. “e-commerce will continue to be crucial for the further development of our air cargo traffic,” Heinelt added.
Munich’s connections to North America have become particularly vital, accounting for 66 percent of the tonnage growth seen so far this year. “New routes to Orlando and Calgary give industrial and logistics companies in the Munich Airport catchment area more options for direct loading in Munich,” Heinelt explained. Meanwhile, growth in Asian volumes has also been bolstered by Vietnam Airlines’ new service to Munich, launched at the end of last year.
“These developments underscore the growing importance of Munich Airport for southern Germany as a business location,” Heinelt noted.
Investing in expansion
To keep pace with demand, Munich Airport is investing €4 million to expand cargo parking areas, and has plans to expand cargo terminals by an initial 60,000 sq m. Discussions with potential partners at the upcoming Air Cargo Europe event in Munich are expected to accelerate these efforts.
“Our unique cargo infrastructure allows us to offer the fastest processes,” Heinelt said. “We are committed to maintaining this lead even as we continue to expand our cargo operations.”
In parallel with growth, sustainability remains a core priority. Munich Airport is preparing to launch a pilot project for autonomous freight transportation, part of a broader drive towards innovation and carbon neutrality.
“We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment,” Heinelt stressed. Measures aligned with the airport’s Net Zero strategy will also cover the cargo sector, integrating energy-efficient systems and automated solutions into future developments.
