The German Airports Association (ADV) says cargo was stagnant across Germany in 2015, despite positive economic fundamentals, and forecasts airfreight will grow by 1.7 per cent in 2016.

Germany – Europe’s air cargo powerhouse – saw cargo volume decline slightly by 0.1 per cent, ADV reports, and gateways across Germany handled a total of 4,438,589 tonnes.

ADV’s head of the department transport policy and transport economics, Markus Engemann  says: “Although last year Germany’s economy showed the strongest growth rates in the European comparison, this could not be transferred to the growth in airfreight.”

ADV says developments illustrate the high level of political and economic uncertainty in major foreign markets for airfreight.

“However, it can also be seen homemade problems: Restrictive uptime and missing test flight rights for foreign cargo airlines lead to a diversion of cargo flows to airports in neighbouring European countries,” Engemann explains.

In ADV’s outlook for 2016, the association says it expects solid growth in cargo, driven by the overall good macroeconomic performance leading to higher demand for airfreight.

The association adds: “For the year 2016 the Airports Association expects the cargo area remains volatile. The calculations of the ADV have nevertheless indicates a cargo growth of plus 1.7 percent in 2016.

“An even higher growth is prevented by external risk factors. These include the decline of trade with China and the emerging markets as well as wars and unrest in the Middle East.”

ADV also says it will be a tough year for airports in Germany, and last year only nine out of the country’s 22 international gateways saw a profit.

The association says the economic data for 2016 in Germany remains positive and the forecast is of a 1.6 per cent growth in gross domestic product.