Liege Airport (LGG), a key air cargo hub in Europe, has experienced a halt in its cargo volume growth during the third quarter of the year. The airport's traffic figures indicate a marginal 0.1% decrease in cargo volumes, a stark contrast to its rapid expansion in previous years.
This slowdown is directly linked to the European Union's recent implementation of a charge on low-value e-commerce parcels. Liege Airport had significantly benefited from the surge in e-commerce traffic, establishing itself as a crucial gateway for such shipments into the EU.
For freight forwarders and supply chain managers, this development suggests a potential re-evaluation of routing strategies for e-commerce shipments, particularly those involving low-value goods destined for the EU. The new charge could lead to increased costs for airfreight into the EU via hubs like Liege, potentially encouraging alternative entry points or different transport modes for certain types of cargo. Forwarders should monitor the long-term impact on air cargo capacity and pricing for e-commerce lanes.
