Liege Airport is to invest more than €20 million in new cargo warehouses and handling facilities as it looks to continue it strong growth path.

For more than 12 months, cargo activity at Liege Airport has been undergoing major structural growth. The companies on the site have opened new routes, integrated new aircraft and intensified their activities.

Since June, Air China Cargo, the largest Chinese cargo company, has been running a weekly flight between Shanghai and Liege and it will increase its rotations in 2018. In early October, AirBridgeCargo Airlines established its main hub at Liege Airport.

Liege Airport chief executive officer, Luc Partoune explains: “First, the global cargo business is undergoing general growth driven by good economic performance in Europe, but also by the emergence of new niches driven by e-commerce. And the saturation of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has changed the situation”.

All these developments imply an acceleration of investments by the airport, he adds: “In 2018, Liege Airport will increase its storage space as a priority. Nearly 20,000 square metres of additional warehouses and equipment are planned, representing an increase of 30 per cent of our cargo handling capacity.

“The first hall of 6,000 square metres will be available in January 2018 and the other warehouses will be operational by the end of 2018. Our strong points, labelled Flexpress – free areas, no slots and quality service – appeal to operators.”

The strategy at Europe’s 8th biggest cargo hub is aimed at meeting current needs and future opportunities. More than 300 direct jobs will be created.