Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled 118,341 tonnes of air cargo in August 2025, almost 3% more than in July, though still 6.7% below the same month last year.

The belly vs. full freighter split also shifted to 46% to 54%, a 2-point gain for belly freight.

The total split between inbound and outbound volumes was 53% to 47%.

Schiphol noted that outbound volumes to the Middle East increased by 6% year-over-year, and those to Europe rose by 4%.

Since June, outbound volumes to the U.S. have consistently been 18% lower than in the same months last year, reflecting recent tariff developments.

It added that inbound volumes from the U.S. remained broadly stable, with no further decline.

Most other regions experienced lower inbound flows compared to the previous year, except for the Far East, which remained on par with the year before.

Schiphol said the top commodities for August included electrical machinery, flowers, clothing, fish, fruit & vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.

In the first half of 2025, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled a total of 688,000 tonnes of air cargo, representing a 6.8% decrease (–50,000 tonnes) compared to H1 2024.

This decline was mainly driven by lower volumes earlier in the year and in June. The June decrease was impacted by temporary operational factors, including reduced handling capacity resulting from IT system transitions and a freight facility relocation.

The cargo ratio between belly and full freighter stood at 44% to 56%, compared to 41% to 59% in H1 2024.

Schiphol stated in a press release that this indicates a shift toward more belly freight, a trend expected to continue in the coming years.

Belly cargo volumes declined slightly by 1.1%, largely due to lower volumes in June. Approximately 20% of all passenger flights at Schiphol carry cargo in the belly hold.

The number of full freighter air traffic movements (ATMs) reached 7,534, representing a 2.6% decrease compared to the same period last year. Due to a lower average load factor, full freighter tonnage saw a more pronounced decline of 10.7% year-on-year.

For the first half, inbound cargo volumes fell by 7%, primarily due to reduced shipments from Africa, Europe, and North America. Asia stood out with 4% growth, driven by strong e-commerce demand.

Outbound cargo declined by 6%, particularly due to lower volumes to Africa and Latin America.

"The first half of 2025 brought both challenges and opportunities. We continue working closely with all stakeholders to enhance capacity, stability, and long-term performance across our cargo operations," the airport added.