Liege Airport H1 2026: Cargo Up 11.3%, EU Levy Risks H2 Volumes

Liege Airport delivered a strong first half of 2026. Air cargo throughput reached 697,816 tonnes, an 11.3% year-on-year increase. Cargo flight movements rose 3.3% to 14,354. Tonnage grew faster than movements, pointing to efficiency gains and a shift toward export cargo, as Liege Airport noted.

The headline numbers are solid. But the second half looks harder. The EU activated a €3-per-item levy on e-commerce imports on 1 July 2026. A €2 processing fee follows in November. Early data from consultancy Rotate suggests European freighter capacity dipped at the start of July, potentially linked to the new legislation. The timing is not a coincidence.

Liege Export Volumes Drive H1 Growth

The Q2 2026 picture sharpened the divide between inbound and outbound trade: exports grew 18% while imports barely moved, rising less than 1%. Across the full first half, export volumes rose 19% year on year, while import growth came in at just 6%. North America led the export surge, up 51%. Asia added 17%.

Frédéric Brun, vice president of sales and marketing at Liege Airport, commented on the performance, noting that the faster growth in tonnage versus movements reflected efficiency gains at the hub, and that the strength of export growth was a positive signal for Liege’s role as a logistics gateway for European companies reaching global markets.

EU E-Commerce Charge Creates Second-Half Risk

The EU’s €3-per-item charge on e-commerce imports took effect on 1 July 2026. A further €2 processing fee is expected in November. Some countries are already introducing their own local fees and requirements in parallel with the EU-wide charge. Liege Airport warned that experience in other markets suggests such levies typically reduce air cargo volumes in the near term, and that such changes could lead to a shift in supply chains – with a modal shift from air to sea transport and the possible multiplication of distribution and fulfilment centres on European soil among the structural consequences.

Countries that have already introduced the charge have reportedly seen volumes shift to airports in nearby countries. Liege Airport said it is following developments closely, but that “it is far too early at this stage to draw conclusions.” Note: Q2 growth of 7.5% predates the July 1 levy, suggesting some deceleration was already underway independently.

CSN Industry Perspective

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The Liege figures confirm what active forwarders are already seeing. Export demand on Europe-to-North America and Europe-to-Asia lanes is real and growing. The 51% export surge to North America alone signals meaningful commercial opportunity on those tradelanes right now. Forwarders who can quote those routes fast and competitively are positioned to win.

The e-commerce import slowdown is a separate issue. If Asian inbound volumes soften in H2 2026 as the EU levy bites, capacity may shift and rates will move. Staying close to live market data and maintaining access to verified wholesale capacity across multiple carriers matters more when conditions change quickly. Platforms that offer multi-carrier rate comparison and booking can help forwarders protect yield as market conditions shift. CSN’s booking portal gives forwarders direct access to multi-carrier rate comparison and booking – A2A or D2D – with no ongoing subscription commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Liege Airport cargo volumes grow in H1 2026?

Liege Airport handled 697,816 tonnes of air cargo in the first half of 2026, an increase of 11.3% year on year. Cargo flight movements rose 3.3% to 14,354 over the same period.

What is the EU e-commerce import charge and when did it start?

The EU introduced a €3-per-item charge on e-commerce imports effective 1 July 2026. A further €2 processing fee is expected in November 2026. Some countries are already introducing their own local fees and requirements in parallel with the EU-wide charge.

How could the EU e-commerce levy affect air cargo volumes at Liege?

Liege Airport has warned that experience in other markets suggests such levies typically reduce air cargo volumes in the near term, and has flagged the risk of a modal shift from air to sea transport. Countries that have already introduced the charge have reportedly seen volumes shift to airports in nearby countries. The airport is following developments closely but has said “it is far too early at this stage to draw conclusions” about the impact on its own volumes.

Why did Liege export growth outpace import growth so significantly?

Export volumes rose 19% in H1 2026 against just 6% import growth. In Q2 2026, the gap widened further: exports up 18%, imports up less than 1%. Strong demand from North America (+51%) and Asia (+17%) drove the export surge, a pattern the airport attributes to European companies using Liege as a global logistics gateway.

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