Maastricht Aachen Airport sees 40% cargo surge in 2025 as passenger numbers dip

Maastricht Aachen Airport reported a strong rebound in air freight in 2025, handling 41,636 tonnes of cargo, an increase of more than 40% year on year, while passenger traffic declined following the departure of two airlines.

In its preliminary 2025 results released on 14 January 2026, the airport recorded 159,270 passengers and 7,549 aircraft movements, including 1,737 freighter flights and 994 passenger aircraft movements. By comparison, in 2024 the airport handled 28,448 tonnes of freight, 230,932 passengers, and 9,957 movements.

The sharp rise in cargo marks the first tangible return on recent investments in freight infrastructure, particularly in the second half of 2025. After years of reduced volumes following runway renovation works, Maastricht Aachen Airport is now reversing the trend.

Passenger numbers lagged behind due to airline withdrawals, but the airport expects a recovery from March 2026, when Wizz Air expands operations with several weekly flights to six destinations in Eastern Europe, including Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Moldova and Montenegro.

The airport formally shifted its strategic focus to cargo at the end of 2024. Its long-term business case targets 500,000 passengers and 200,000 tonnes of freight, with management expecting faster and higher returns from air freight than from passenger traffic.

Earlier this month, Maastricht Aachen Airport also submitted an application for a new Airport Decree, a key step toward a more sustainable and future-proof operation. The proposal includes extending the operational runway length to 2,750 metres, enabling cargo aircraft to depart with heavier payloads and reach longer-haul destinations, while committing to reduced environmental impact on surrounding communities.