Airfreight continues the upward trend at Luxembourg Airport and it handled 738,000 tonnes in 2015, rise of 4.2 per cent compared to 2014.
The strongest growth was recorded in October and November when there was an increase of nine per cent, in August of eight per cent and July of seven per cent. The gateway says in every month of the year there was a rise compared to the same month in 2014.
Luxembourg Airport says when the road freight transported under an airway bill is added, the tonnage amounts to 747,000.
The airport says the figures are in contrast to the slowdown in air cargo across the globe and freight grew almost twice as fast as the world average of 2.2 per cent, in figures published by the International Air Transport Association.
“This is testimony to the fact that shippers, freight forwarders and airlines recognize the excellent location of Luxembourg in the heart of Europe and its closeness to the major consumer markets in the European Union. Fast handling processes, efficient customs procedures and a specialization in high-value products such as pharma and life sciences, electronics and live animals all contributed to these results,“ the airport says.
Cargolux remains the largest customer of Luxembourg Airport followed by second largest customer, Atlas Air in cooperation with Panalpina, and third is Qatar Airways, while China Airlines and Silk Way West Airlines complete the top five airlines.
Cargo flown to and from Luxembourg in 2015 included 2,120 horses (+34%), along with 73,821 day old chicks (+89%), 1,589 dogs (+150%), 643 Alpacas (+315%), and 86 hamsters, one hyena and two donkeys.
And 117 racing motorbikes were flown to the Indianapolis Moto GP, 25 Formula 3 cars plus 10 GT & Touring cars, 60 tonnes of spare parts and 25,000 litres of racing fuel were flown to the Macau GP and 25 tonnes of jetskis to Dubai.
