Liège Airport (LGG) is experiencing impressive growth in cargo traffic and has established itself as a major transshipment hub in Europe. Annual cargo throughput has exceeded the one million ton mark for five years, and the trend is continuing. In 2024, 1,17 million tonnes of cargo were handled, and a further increase of twelve percent is expected for 2025. The airport is pursuing ambitious plans in the areas of digitalization and its development into a multimodal cargo center in the heart of Europe.
Unlike many other airports primarily geared toward passenger traffic, Liège has consistently focused on the cargo business since the mid-1990s. A unique selling point is its unrestricted 24-hour operation, which allows for high flexibility in flight planning and attracts charter airlines. With a cargo charter rate of almost 40 percent, Liège has the highest rate in Europe. Added to this are fast turnaround times, efficient customs clearance, and the central geographical location, which attracts over 50 cargo airlines, including many long-standing partners.
Liège Airport also specializes in specialist areas such as the transport of perishable goods and live animals. Around 730 tons of flowers are handled daily, and the Horse Inn cares for 12.000 horses annually. LGG is a pioneer in e-commerce, already handling over a billion parcels per year. Through accelerated digital transformation and improved processes, the airport aims to rise from Europe's fifth-largest cargo airport to one of the top three by 2030. LGG is increasingly leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to maximize operational efficiency and is pursuing a higher level of environmental certification according to ACI World standards.