Frankfurt and Heathrow mark September in double digit hikes

EUROPEAN air cargo volumes at Frankfurt Airport and London Heathrow in September signalled a return to pre-recession levels with Fraport operator announcing an increase year-on-year of 15.4 per cent and Heathrow owner BAA a 12.2 per cent hike.

This was a drop from the beginning of the year growth of 27 per cent in first three months for the German airport to 1.6 million tonnes. Nor did September growth match Heathrow's 14.3 per cent increase in August, which racked up 20 per cent hike in the first nine months to one million tonnes.

The September increase at Heathrow of 144,469 tonnes was attributed to the high-value but low-weight exports which include its GBP800 million (US$1.25 trillion), mostly pharmaceuticals bound for the US via London.

The September rise at Frankfurt on from its rise in August to 185,372 tonnes, an 18.4 per cent hike creating a peak only seen in pre-recession days.

"Frankfurt Airport's double-digit air freight growth rates are viewed positively, because they underscore the important role that FRA plays as an international cargo hub for Germany's export-driven economy," said Fraport owner CEO Stefan Schulte currently touting for expressions of interest in its additional land for cargo operations of 27 hectares.

BAA chief executive officer Colin Matthews said an increase in business travel and reintroduction of services dropped in the wake of recession and ash cloud have lifted cargo volumes.

"The growth reflects an improved outlook for our airline customers and an increase in business confidence, as shown by cargo figures which continue to outperform the pre-recession peak," he said in a London's International Freighting Weekly.
(Source:www.schednet.com)