European airports enjoyed steady air cargo volumes in the first half

Freight traffic at European airports remained stable in the first half of 2025, with a slight increase of just +0.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Airports in the European Union saw a modest rise of +0.4%, while non-EU airports experienced a small decline of -2%. However, the overall air cargo industry has shown resilience, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by +8.7% when compared to the first half of 2019, signaling a steady recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

Some major airports, such as Madrid-Barajas, Cologne-Bonn, and London Heathrow, performed better than the overall trend, posting increases of +8.9%, +3.5%, and +2.3% respectively. Flight operations also grew by +3.1% compared to 2024, though they still remain 2.2% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Overall, the air cargo industry is recovering slowly but steadily, with some airports and regions performing better than others.

Europe’s stable and improving cargo volumes in H1 2025 represent a significant growth opportunity for Bringer Air Cargo. With its global footprint, adaptable services, and strong GSA partnerships (particularly in Europe), BAC is positioned to scale up operations and capture increased freight demand.

Brett, Damian. “Freight traffic at European airports “stable” in first half,” aircargo news, 7 August 2025, Article link Accessed 7 August 2025.