CARGOLAND by LGG is closing the year with a solid peak season and already confirming an excellent 2025 performance.
With 1.32 million tonnes handled across more than 26,000 cargo movements, LGG lands its second-best result since 2021’s pandemic peak. Growth was particularly strong on the export side, underlining the airport’s role as a key European gateway for outbound cargo flows. And the airport has seen growth in all other areas, too: employee numbers, customers, and facility development.
“We talked about “Freight Meets Magic” when we launched CARGOLAND by LGG at the Air Cargo Europe in Munich earlier this year, and that magic has since shown itself in every aspect of our business,” says Laurent Jossart, Chief Executive Officer of LGG. “First off, is the double-digit increase we have seen in cargo volumes through every quarter of this year, bringing us to a forecasted total of 1.32 million tonnes by the end of 2025 – a figure unsurpassed except for the extraordinary year during the pandemic: 2021. Our employees, partners and customers have a lot to be proud of this year, delivering such an outstanding result despite the many challenges that came our way, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and gratitude to them.”
e-commerce was the main growth driver in 2025, and was a key element of discussion at the Neutral Air Partner’s ACE event hosted by CARGOLAND by LGG in September 2025. However, flowers and other perishables, pharmaceuticals, and a large evergreen segment passing through LGG, namely horses and other live animals, also contributed. New airline customers began serving the airport, and existing carriers expanded their networks and frequencies. CARGOLAND by LGG now enjoys partnerships with Cargojet Airways, Suparna Airlines, China Eastern Cargo, SuperNova Airlines, CMA CGM Air Cargo (Air Belgium), China Postal Airlines, One Air, Cathay Cargo, Air Central Longhao, FarCargo, Fedex and Challenge Group, whose regularly renewed fleet has recently welcomed a Boeing 777-300ERSF. The integrator uses LGG as the main hub for its ‘Orange’ product in Europe, and brought in additional B777 freighter services, this year.
The increase in airline partners led to destination growth, particularly across Latin America, Canada, and a reinforcement of the Asian market. The unique ‘sister airport’ agreement that CARGOLAND by LGG signed with Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in October 2025, will further increase freighter traffic, as it develops a dedicated transatlantic freighter corridor linking both cargo-centric, e‑commerce‑heavy hubs.
More airlines and freighters require more staff. CARGOLAND by LGG saw a 15% increase in employee numbers in 2025. A community focus on establishing operational and quality standards in 2025, supported operational efficiency despite external challenges impacting cargo flows. CARGOLAND by LGG also actively advanced its digitalization strategy through platforms like LGG Tracking, leading to greater transparency, fewer process errors, and better interoperability.
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be another year of controlled growth. CARGOLAND by LGG will continue developing digital tools and has more than 30 projects in the pipeline. Similarly, its service solutions for special cargo such as live animals, flowers or pharmaceuticals will continuously be improved. The airport’s Masterplan 2040 is still being implemented and the use of its fridge capacities for temperature-controlled cargo is on the increase. As is its infrastructure development. Cargo City West is underway and the first phase including a 110 000 m² facility is ready for use. Phases 2 and 3 are under construction, with 2026 planned as a significant year of real estate development. CARGOLAND by LGG will continue to showcase its Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) at industry events throughout the year.
“The first large cargo event that CARGOLAND by LGG will be present at in 2026, is IATA’s World Cargo Symposium in Lima in mid-March. However, potential and existing customers can pencil in the dates for next year’s biggest cargo event: The EU-CBEC, which we are proud to be hosting at the prestigious Palais des Congres Liège from 8-10 September 2026,” Jossart concludes.
