Istanbul overtakes Frankfurt to lead Europe’s air cargo market
A Major Shift in European Air Freight Leadership
In a surprising turn of events, Istanbul Airport has surpassed Frankfurt Airport to become Europe’s leading air cargo hub. This significant change underscores the evolving dynamics of global air freight and highlights the growing challenges facing traditional logistics centers in Western Europe.
Global Air Cargo Growth vs. Germany’s Sluggish Performance
According to recent data from the German Aviation Association (BDL), the global air cargo market experienced a robust 6% increase in volume in 2024. However, Frankfurt Airport—once hailed as the continent’s premier freight hub—managed a mere 1.2% growth. In stark contrast, Istanbul Airport reported an impressive 39.6% surge in freight transport, seizing the top position from Frankfurt for the first time in history.
Why Frankfurt is Falling Behind
The BDL attributed Frankfurt’s decline to a combination of rising ground costs and an overburdened bureaucratic system. These inefficiencies not only drive up operating expenses but also slow down the handling process, prompting logistics companies to favor alternative hubs that offer better value and speed.
The situation is not unique to Frankfurt. Other German hubs, such as Cologne/Bonn, are also grappling with the shift of freight traffic toward neighboring countries that boast more competitive operational environments.
A Call for Urgent Reforms
In response, the BDL has proposed a comprehensive five-point action plan aimed at restoring Germany’s competitiveness in the global cargo market. The recommendations include:
Lowering state-imposed ground costs to make German hubs more economically viable.
Digitizing EU aviation safety standards to streamline administrative procedures.
Granting flexible work schedules to air cargo centers to enhance operational efficiency.
Implementing EU customs laws uniformly across member states for consistency.
Simplifying import VAT collection to reduce delays and costs.
The Road Ahead for Germany’s Air Cargo Sector
The outlook remains concerning. The BDL warns that Germany’s freight growth may stagnate at just 1.2% in 2025 if immediate action is not taken. Without structural reforms and regulatory modernization, German airports risk falling even further behind in a market that is expanding rapidly elsewhere.
As Istanbul celebrates its new leadership status in Europe’s air cargo sector, Germany is faced with a critical moment of reflection—and the urgent need for change.
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