european airports


There was a brief period of panic at the end of May as a second volcano in Iceland erupted, hurling a plume of ash towards continental Europe and threatening to shut down airport operations again – but the situation soon settled and the gateways got on with their normal business in a new atmosphere of positive recovery


expanding resources as gateways recover


Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in an uncertain business environment has been a “full focus on efficiency for all players in the logistics chain”, says Enno Osinga, senior vice president cargo at the Dutch gateway. He explained: “Together with all our partners we


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continue to monitor developments in the market and react where necessary. An airport is a long-term focused business so the short-term flexibility is limited,” he admitted. But: “The fact is that when things get tough there is a concentration on the key marketplaces, of which we are one. That in itself will provide a buffer against a downturn.” Among the efficiency drives under


way at Schiphol is its involvement in the e-Freight initiative. Osinga commented: “We are putting a lot of resources on this as we do believe that this is part of our future.” Regarding Schiphol’s performance so far this year, he observed: “All signals out


ne major European air freight gateway where recovery has been well under way for some time now is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. The secret in maximising the flexibility of the cargo facilities at


of the market are identifying a slowing growth coupled with overcapacity in supply ... but we would be very happy with an overall yearly growth of 3.5 percent.” According to Val Karren, cargo development manager


at Maastricht Aachen airport in the south-east of the Netherlands, the gateway is improving its cargo facilities. He said: “We already have full cool cells, freezers,


quarantine facility and our border inspection point is used daily, and we are running to capacity. We will be holding the ceremonial groundbreaking for our new 18,500m2 import warehouse soon.” The facility will be built in two phases. The


first will be ready by early 2012, with a second phase expected to be completed over the following three years that will involve the addition of apron space for three B747-8F aircraft as well as the installation of handling equipment. Furthermore, he observed that Maastricht is “on track” to improve its volumes by 20 percent year-on-year by the end of 2011, to a projected total of 115,000 tonnes.


Osinga believes in the positive effect of a “full focus on efficiency”


AUSTRIA From 10-13 May this year, Austria’s Vienna International airport was at the biennial Air Cargo Europe event in force, as usual, for it brought along some of its airport partners in the


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