Freight traffic at European airports rebounded at the strongest rate since May 2011, with a “surprising surge” in September of 7.9 per cent, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe says.

Freight grew 4.1 per cent in the third quarter, helped by the September surge, and is up 2.6 per cent on a year-to-date basis. The four largest airports in Europe, Frankfurt Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Heathrow Airport all registered strong growth in September.

Paris was up 5.2 per cent to 172,000 tonnes and Frankfurt by 6.2 per cent to 170,225 tonnes. Amsterdam had the smallest increase among the top four, but was still up 1.9 per cent to 140,209 tonnes, and Heathrow grew 5.9 per cent to 126,109 tonnes.

ACI Europe director general, Olivier Jankovec says: “Last week’s announcement of Ryanair setting up a base at Frankfurt airport undoubtedly marks a turning point for European air travel.”

“Along with long haul low cost, these disruptive forces are pointing towards increasing airport competition and a more hybrid airport market. The traditional segmentation between mega hubs, secondary hubs, medium-sized airports and smaller regional airports is blurring.”