During 2009, 482,121 tonnes of cargo passed through LIEGE AIRPORT (a decrease of 7% compared to 2008, a record year with 518,650 tons shipped). In these difficult economical times (the airfreight-industry is facing), this resilience is largely due to the recovery recorded by TNT during the fourth quarter, but also the good performances from El Al Cargo, Ethiopian Airlines and Southern Air, Icelandair, and the arrival of ABX Air and Avient (who based their European hub in Liege). In a market undergoing restructuring and very competitive circumstances, LIEGE AIRPORT can be satisfied with this result. Especially since the first half of 2009 showed losses between 25 and 30%!
With 482,121 tonnes shipped in 2009, LIEGE AIRPORT is, 20 years after its establishment, the number 1 cargo airport in Belgium, and is ranked 8th in Europe for cargo.
More and more animals and fresh produce
Among the characteristics of LIEGE AIRPORT, we emphasize on developing the transport and appropriate handling/distribution of flowers, Live animals and fresh produce. Therefore, in 2009 LIEGE AIRPORT has hosted 879 horses, transited 1779 tonnes of fish, 637 tonnes of live lobster, and many more perishable goods ... Veterinarians & Phyto-sanitary services provide supervision 24/7 at location and with infrastructure & equipment of the highest quality, which allows customers to achieve efficiency, speed and flexibility.
Passengers
For its part, passenger traffic has experienced a slowdown with 356,782 passengers carried in 2009 (to 400,281 in 2008). For summer 2010, a new destination - Dalaman (Turkey) - just expanded the program for passengers.
Outlook
Prospects for 2010 are encouraging, including, in June, the end of lengthening the main runway (which will reach up to 3,700 meters), the construction of new warehouses of 25,000 sqm and new office buildings. An amount exceeding 30 million euros will be invested, which confirms LIEGE AIRPORT’s corporate mission of Regional Development (in 2009, at the airport’s centre for economic development, employment was 2,800 direct jobs and 6,700 indirect jobs).
Source : Press release Liège Airport - 22 january 2010
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