ACI Europe: Airports continue to see strong growth in Q3

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Northern runway at Heathrow Airport


Freight volumes across Europe have grown by 9.5 per cent in the third quarter, continuing the trend seen in the previous quarter, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe reports.

European Union (EU) airports grew by 8.4 per cent and non-EU hubs proving stronger with a 16.3 per cent rise during the third quarter.

In September, freight was up 7.1 per cent, with non-EU airports driving the growth at 11.2 per cent, with EU hubs increasing 6.4 per cent.

On a year-to-date basis European freight has increased nine per cent, with the EU up eight per cent and non-EU by 15.2 per cent.

ACI Europe director general, Olivier Jankovec says: “As long as economic conditions keep defying geopolitical risks, air traffic will continue to grow – spurred by the increasing reliance of businesses and consumers on air connectivity.”

“The fact that economic sentiment in the EU has just reached historic highs is encouraging – even though recent spikes in oil prices are a worry.”

Among Europe’s top airports, Frankfurt Airport grew by 4.3 per cent in September to 177,464 tonnes, while Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport dipped by 0.1 per cent to 166,000 tonnes.

Volumes at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol grew by 7.1 per cent to 150,198 tonnes and Heathrow Airport was up 11.5 per cent to 140,643 tonnes.

Frankfurt Airport retained its position at the top during the third quarter, handling 528,145 tonnes, a 4.9 per cent increase, followed by Paris growing 2.9 per cent to 491,547 tonnes.

Schiphol handled 445,625 tonnes, growth of 7.1 per cent, and Heathrow was up 13.2 per cent to 422,924 tonnes.

All of Europe’s top four have seen strong growth this year, with Frankfurt up 5.4 per cent to 1.57 million tonnes, Paris by 2.6 per cent 1.45 million tonnes, Schiphol by 8.2 per cent to 1.3 million tonnes and Heathrow by 10.5 per cent to 1.2 million tonnes.