AIR CARG O WEEK


MARKET FORECAST


SUPPLEMENT


LIÈGE AIRPORT PROJECTS STRONGER 2026 DRIVEN BY GROWTH AND INVESTMENTS


FRÉDÉRIC BRUN, HEAD OF COMMERCIAL CARGO & LOGISTICS AT LIÈGE AIRPORT, HAS GIVEN AN END OF YEAR INTERVIEW WITH ACW


Do you think 2026 will be better or worse than 2025 for your company? What reasons do you have? We fully expect 2026 to be an even stronger year for us. We enter the new year with exceptional momentum, with 2025 already projected to grow by 12 percent over 2024. Our large-scale investments in CargoLand, expanded


warehousing, platforms are enhanced


multimodal connectivity and advanced digital


purpose-built


to sustain and accelerate growth beyond 2025. Combined with our long-term ambition to position Liège Airport among Europe’s top three cargo hubs, we see 2026 as the year in which the foundations we are laying today begin to translate


into even greater operational and commercial impact.


We


How do you see the next five years in your sector? anticipate


a period of strong


and steady expansion. Our long-term infrastructure program and our strategic


roadmap to 2030 will reshape the way cargo


is handled, with digitalization playing a decisive role. Real-time tracking,


digital twins and community platforms will become the new operational standard, and we are already rolling out these technologies.


importance


The of


specialized c ar go ,


What operational challenges (e.g., congestion, labour shortages, (e.g.,


digitalisation,


regulatory changes) and opportunities new routes,


sustainability


initiatives) do you think air cargo operators should prepare for over the coming year? Operators will increasingly face uneven levels of digital maturity, cold-chain capability and infrastructure standards across global partner airports. Legacy processes in parts of the supply chain continue to limit the full benefits of digitalisation. And fluctuating volumes will remain a test of resilience, requiring operators to maintain efficiency and adaptability under shifting demand. However, the opportunities ahead are equally significant. Our digital ecosystem, LGG Tracking, LGG Connect and our Digital Twin, will offer operators enhanced visibility, predictability and coordination. Demand for pharma and perishables handling is rising, and our dedicated capabilities in these sectors are expanding accordingly. The e-commerce and express segments continue to grow strongly, supported by large-scale, purpose-built facilities at LGG. Multimodal solutions will become a key differentiator, offering greener and more efficient cargo flows. And the industry’s sustainability push opens the door to competitive advantage, with initiatives in renewable energy, SAF adoption, low-emission mobility and circular infrastructure.


18 pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, express and live


animals will continue to grow, driven by demand for reliability, speed, and sector-specific expertise. At the same time, sustainability will increasingly influence investment decisions across the industry, aligning closely with our carbon-neutrality commitments. Finally, deeper multimodal integration will enhance both competitiveness and environmental performance, positioning agile hubs like LGG at the center of Europe’s logistics evolution.


Which macroeconomic or geopolitical factors (e.g., inflation, regional conflicts, trade policy shifts) are likely to impact air cargo volumes or rates from next month in your opinion? Several dynamics are shaping the near-term outlook. While EU manufacturing remains soft, cross-border e-commerce and express demand are thriving, which favors a 24/7, quick-turn hub model. This is precisely where LGG stands out, attracting integrators, mail operators and global e-retailers seeking predictable and efficient access to the EU market. Any new EU trade or customs regulations affecting Asian or African imports will further reinforce the role of centrally located customs-efficient airports that offer specialized handling capabilities across pharma, perishables and e-commerce. At the same time, long-haul capacity constraints and congestion at major hubs create a clear opportunity for LGG to act as Europe’s flexible relief valve for freighters and charter operations looking for reliability and speed.


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