Cargo traffic at Brussels Airport rose 1.8 per cent in August but full freighter volumes continue to fall as companies depart due to stricter noise standards.

Total tonnage was 40,558 tonnes in August, with the freighter segment registering a 0.9 per cent decline to 29,245 tonnes.

Full freighter volumes were down 18 per cent to 11,526 tonnes, with stricter noise standards causing several companies to leave, though integrator traffic rose 14.6 per cent to 17,719 tonnes.

Exports grew 15 per cent due to the strength of Belgium’s economy, particularly the pharmaceutical sector, while the fall in freighters meant imports were down 20 per cent, and truck transport increased 20 per cent.

Belly traffic increased 9.4 per cent to 11,313 tonnes as Brussels welcomed new long-haul services including Brussels Airlines flights to Toronto and Mumbai, Delta Air Lines restarting Atlanta flights, RwandAir starting services, and growth from Hainan Airlines, Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines.

Year-to-date volumes are up 12.9 per cent to 350,065 tonnes with all sectors registering double-digit growth.

Full freighter cargo increased 16.8 per cent to 112,472 tonnes, integrator by 10.8 per cent to 147,118 tonnes and belly by 11.7 per cent to 90,475 tonnes.