22% cargo growth with 15.3% increase in pharma handling compared to the previous year

Vienna Airport ended the year 2024 with new record figures for air cargo volumes: A total of 297,945 tons of cargo were handled, which represents a significant increase of 22% compared to the previous year and plus 5% compared to the pre-crisis year 2019. In particular, the positive development of long-haul services boosted the cargo results at the airport, as there was strong demand for the additional belly capacities in passenger aircrafts. With a total of 4,238 tons in 2024, the airport also achieved a new all-time high in pharma handling (up 15.3 %).

“With the best cargo results in the history of Vienna Airport, we are strengthening our position as a central hub for air cargo services in Central and Eastern Europe. This record clearly proves our first-class infrastructure and high quality of service, convincing customers worldwide. The strong growth is evident in both imported goods and global exports. The record regarding pharmaceutical handling is particularly pleasing: Vienna Airport is thus establishing itself even more strongly as a leading logistics expert for pharmaceutical shipments”, says Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.

“The record result for 2024 marks an impressive achievement by our cargo handling team. At the same time, we have set the course for further positive development. With the extension of the handling contract with Lufthansa Cargo and the IATA certification for the handling of lithium batteries, we have already taken the next steps to maintain a sustained growth path”, adds Michael Zach, Senior Vice President Ground Handling & Cargo Operations of Vienna Airport.

Record figures for cargo handling in Vienna - return of major Asian airlines boosts growth

The return of major airlines from Asia such as Hainan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) to Vienna provided additional attractive belly capacities between Vienna and Shenzhen, Chengdu and Tokyo. Simultaneously, airlines such as Qatar Airways increased their frequencies to Vienna. The additional cargo space led to a significant increase of 44% in the cargo transported on passenger aircraft to 125,103 tons. With 82,610 tons, freighter-only cargo remained approximately at previous year’s level, (minus three percent). In 2024, trucked volumes increased by 24% to 90,199 tons, making a significant contribution to the new freight record. 163,026 tons of import cargo arrived at Vienna Airport in 2024 and was distributed from here within Austria and to many neighboring markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The growing e-commerce volumes from Asia also contributed to this significant 20% increase in import volumes. Exports from Vienna amounted to a total of 134,918 tons of cargo. This figure also rose significantly by 23% compared to the previous year. The most important markets here are also Asia and the USA.

New record at the competence center for pharma handling at Vienna Airport

The Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center, which is available to all airlines at Vienna Airport for the handling of temperature-sensitive goods, continued to grow strongly. The previous record year 2023 was surpassed again in 2024 with 4,238 tons, an increase of 15.3%. Vienna Airport is one of only a few airports in the CEE region to have its own competence center for pharmaceutical handling, with an interruption-free cold chain for the highly competent handling of pharmaceutical goods