Liège Airport, Belgium’s largest cargo hub and Europe’s fifth busiest, posted an 18.6% increase in freight volumes during the first two months of 2026. The facility handled 219,807 tonnes across January and February, powered by e-commerce returns, pharmaceutical shipments and a booming North American export corridor.
For freight forwarders chasing capacity on European lanes, the numbers show where demand is moving. Fast.
Record volumes across both months
January 2026 volumes hit 105,398 tonnes, up 18% year-on-year. February climbed higher to 114,409 tonnes, a 19% rise despite fewer calendar days. Aircraft movements rose 6% to 4,653 takeoffs and landings across the two-month period.
219,807 tonnes handled in first two months of 2026
The growth reflects Liège’s toward high-value, time-sensitive cargo. E-commerce parcels, pharmaceutical products and perishable goods now drive the majority of throughput. The airport’s ‘Freighters First’ policy gives all-cargo operators priority slots, parking stands and night-time movements over passenger airlines.
Export boom to North America
Outbound flows surged 25% in the first two months, with shipments to North America jumping 86%. Import flows rose 14.6%. The transatlantic corridor expansion aligns with Emirates SkyCargo’s shift from ad-hoc to scheduled operations in early 2026.
Emirates now operates six weekly cargo flights using Boeing 777F freighters, adding 600 tonnes of capacity per week. The service connects Liège to Dubai, Chicago and Hong Kong, opening direct routing options for European forwarders targeting Asia-Pacific and US markets.
“Performance is very good, with volume growth reaching +18.6% over the same period last year. This year will be again hectic and rock and roll for air cargo, but we remain still cautiously optimistic for 2026.”
– Frédéric Brun, Vice President Sales & Marketing (ad interim), Liège Airport
Pharma and perishables drive diversification
Liège is intensifying its focus beyond e-commerce. Pharmaceutical shipments are climbing as the airport builds out temperature-controlled handling infrastructure. The flower logistics vertical has grown 15% since its launch two years ago, with pre-Valentine volumes in February contributing to the strong monthly performance.
In early February 2026, the airport inaugurated its modernized LGG Vet Center, a facility designed to handle live animal transport including high-value equine shipments. The upgrade positions Liège to attract leading global horse transport providers and compete for specialist cargo flows.
Key verticals showing growth
- E-commerce: European leadership position with December 2025 volumes up 16% due to post-holiday returns
- Pharmaceuticals: Strong growth in temperature-sensitive products
- Perishables: Flowers, fresh produce and time-critical goods
- Live animals: Modernized veterinary facilities for equine and specialist transport
Broader context: 2025 performance and carrier diversification
The 2026 start follows a strong 2025, when Liège handled 1.324 million tonnes of freight, up 14% year-on-year. The airport now serves 56 carriers, compared with just 40 two years ago. No single airline accounts for more than 13% of tonnage, reducing dependency risk for forwarders routing through the facility.
Night-flight operations dropped from 59% in 2020 to 34.5% in 2025, responding to community noise concerns while maintaining operational flexibility. The airport is located less than 90 km from Brussels city centre, serving as a pressure-release valve when the capital’s airport faces disruptions from weather, strikes or slot shortages.
Leadership transition and strategic focus
Frédéric Brun took over as Vice President of Sales and Marketing on an interim basis in mid-March 2026, replacing Torsten Wefers. Brun emphasized the importance of ongoing digitalization and quality standards across the Liège cargo ecosystem.
“I am very happy and grateful for the trust placed in me by Liege Airport. The business is running at full capacity with major successes such as the flower community created around logistics for flowers. We are intensifying our diversification and the second vertical growing nicely is the pharma business with strong growth in pharmaceutical products.”
– Frédéric Brun, Vice President Sales & Marketing (ad interim), Liège Airport
Headwinds on the horizon
Despite strong performance, challenges loom. A new EU tax on low-value e-commerce parcels takes effect on July 1, 2026, which could dampen demand for parcel flows from Asia. Immigration processing at Liège remains lighter than Brussels, requiring third-country nationals to ensure proper entry documentation.
Global air cargo is expanding for a second successive year in 2026, but economic uncertainty and shifting trade policies create volatility. Air cargo represents just 1% of global trade by volume, but more than 35% by value, making it sensitive to macroeconomic shifts and supply chain disruptions.
What this means for forwarders
Liège’s growth shows where capacity is expanding and which verticals are moving volume. For SME freight forwarders building routes into Europe, the airport offers:
- Growing transatlantic capacity with direct North American connections
- Freighters-first slot priority and night-time operations flexibility
- Specialized handling for pharma, perishables and live animals
- Diversified carrier base reducing single-airline dependency
- Backup capacity when Brussels faces disruptions
The facility’s focus on digitalization and ecosystem quality aligns with forwarder demand for fast quoting, track-and-trace visibility and reliable transit times on high-value cargo.
Quote fast. Ship direct.
Complex routes need simple tools. Compare multi-carrier, multi-leg options in one portal. Door-to-door (D2D) or airport-to-airport (A2A). Zero subscription fees. Built by freight people, for freight people.
Start free. Quote European lanes today.
