Volumes across European airports fell year on year (YOY) by 0.4 per cent in May due to the economic problems in the European Union (EU), according to the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe.
The figures for the month were published by the airport trade body as part of its May traffic report for the continent. That reports says many of the busiest cargo hubs, by volumes, saw YOY declines in the month.
ACI Europe says: “Freight traffic across the European airport network was down 0.4 per cent, reflecting the relative weakness of economic growth in the EU, the continued impact of sanctions on Russia as well as more structural factors.” The EU economy has also been affected by the ongoing economic problems in Greece, and the weakness of the euro, which has also had an impact on volumes.
May’s performance continues the unstable year for cargo volumes across Europe. In April, there was YOY growth of 0.8 per cent, but in March, volumes fell YOY by 1.8 per cent. In February, there was YOY growth of 2.9 per cent, but in January there was 0.5 per cent fall.
ACI Europe says the year to date cargo volumes on the continent have remained flat compared to 2014, with no growth or decline. But, the figure is up 5.7 per cent on 2013. In May, Europe’s busiest cargo hub by volumes Frankfurt Airport, saw a 3.4 per cent fall to 170,348 tonnes. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport saw a 7.6 per cent drop to 149,000 tonnes. Cargo volumes at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol were down 1.5 per cent in May.
