Schiphol Cargo cushions impact of weak markets

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol finished 2012 with its strongest quarter for cargo, and resilience in most markets largely overcame continuing softness in traffic to and from Asia and the USA.

 

The last quarter was the best of 2012 for both exports and imports, reaching a total of 380,284 tonnes.

 

2012 as a whole saw improvements in exports to Europe, including Russia (up 29%), and also to Latin America (up 8.9%). Imports from Europe including Russia rose 57%, and from Africa were up 1.8%. Exports accounted for 49.34% of all cargo – up slightly from 48.96% in 2011.

 

These positive figures largely counteracted continuing weakness in Asia and the USA - Schiphol’s top two markets. These were both down 8% overall year on year, although exports to Asia held up better than imports.

 

Asia retained its number one slot with a 37.8% share of all traffic, although this slipped from 40% in the previous year. The USA meanwhile accounted for 17.6% of Schiphol’s traffic, down from 18.6% in 2011.

 

Total freighter movements in 2012 fell slightly to 15,543 – down 2.5% on 2011.

 

Says Senior VP Cargo Enno Osinga:  “The weak beginning to 2012 was the largest factor in the full year’s slight drop in tonnage. After that, the year displayed steadier  traffic flows than 2011, with less pronounced peaks and troughs. Amid the ongoing economic problems in the Euro Zone and their adverse effect on consumer confidence and spending, we cannot be too unhappy with the final total.

 

“We continue to look at new markets, and we continue to drive the streamlining of processes at Schiphol. These are long-term investments that will eventually pay handsome dividends for our air cargo community, and further support our drive to be Europe’s preferred air cargo gateway.”

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