Frankfurt Airport (FRA) said its cargo volumes dipped in November – the first time it reported decline this year, while also reporting improvement in passenger volumes.  

In a statement, it said cargo throughput  – comprising airfreight and airmail  –

saw a slight decrease for the first time this year, slipping by 1.2% year-on-year to 192,298 metric tons in the reporting month.

Compared to November 2019, cargo traffic was up 3% percent, it added.

Frankfurt Airport said aircraft movements continued to climb by 125.6% year-on-year to 28,882 takeoffs and landings in November 2021.

Meanwhile, accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) increased by 72.9% year-on-year to around 1.8 million metric tons.

Frankfurt Airport said it also welcomed some 2.9 million passengers in November 2021, representing an increase of 341.5% year-on-year, albeit compared to a very weak November 2020.

The airport said the continued traffic recovery was driven by sustained demand for European holiday travel and a rise in intercontinental traffic, including North America.

"The reopening of the US to international air travel in early November also had a positive impact on passenger figures," it said.

Traffic seen to slow down in December

For the current month of December 2021, traffic growth is expected to slow down again, as a result of the resurgence in coronavirus infection rates and related travel restrictions.

During the January-to-November 2021 period, a total of some 22.1 million passengers traveled via Frankfurt Airport.

Compared to the same period last year, this represents a 23.6% increase over 2020, and a 66.4% decline over 2019.