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Mixed results at Schiphol Cargo with belly volume up and freighter volume down

Mid-year figures at Schiphol Cargo show an increase in belly cargo, but slot restrictions continue to impact overall volume.

Schiphol Cargo has reported a 2.3% volume increase in belly cargo figures, as China and the US remain the strongest markets, and an extension of the network leads to growth in Latin America.

The mid-year figures show overall freighter volume has decreased by 2.7% to 843,832 tons, compared with 2017, due to a 9.4% decrease in full freighter air transport movements (ATMs) and the ongoing restrictions on slot availability.

"The mid-year figures reflect our expectations for a decrease in overall freighter ATMs as we continue to face capacity constraints," said Maaike van der Windt, Director Aviation Marketing, Cargo and Customer Experience (ACC).

"However, the increase in belly volume is a positive development for Schiphol Cargo due to a slight growth in passenger flights since last year, and an expanded network across Latin America.

"Shanghai remains our main destination through the continued increase in ecommerce in China, reaching more than 31,000 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, followed by the US with more than 22,000 tonnes.

Despite the increase in ecommerce, the Asian inbound market was down by 2% to 147,122 tonnes, while outbound decreased by 3% to 150,623 tons.

European figures show a 7% inbound decline to 55,821 tons, compared to the same period last year, and outbound was down by 4% to 59,452 tons.

The North American market saw an 11% inbound downfall to 64,768 tons, and a decrease in outbound cargo of 4% to 79,055 tons.

The Latin American market shows positive growth due to a network extension on the continent with inbound cargo up 9% to 65,255 tons, and a 15% increase in outbound cargo to 40,445 tons.

The African markets showed positive outbound results with a 7% increase in cargo to 26,674 tons, while inbound cargo decreased by 5% to 56,733 tons.

The Middle Eastern region went down by 2% (inbound), and 11% (outbound) to respectively 42,666 and 55,218 tons.

Van der Windt adds: "Although Schiphol is facing slot constraints, we are geared towards maintaining cargo volume in the years to come."

For more information about Schiphol Cargo, visit schiphol.nl/en/cargo.