Maastricht Aachen Airport saw a significant jump in air freight handled through the airport, up by nearly half last year, driven by a combination of post‑renovation recovery and a deliberate strategic shift toward cargo operations.

The Dutch airport handled 41,636 tonnes of cargo in 2025, and recorded 7,549 aircraft movements, of which 1,737 were cargo flights and 994 passenger flights.

Maastricht said the figures show a remarkable increase in air freight compared to 2024, when it handled 28,448 tonnes of cargo representing a 46.37% rise year-on-year.

After a dip in cargo volumes following a €35 million runway renovation in 2023, the airport saw 40% year-on-year growth in 2025.

"The strong growth in cargo volume last year is down to MST's continued investment in cargo handling facilities at the airport, particularly in the second half of 2025," said Dean Boljuncic, head of commercial development, Maastricht Aachen Airport.

"We have invested in optimising our handling processes and improving our facilities in the past 12 months, including redeveloping MST's AnimalPort and partnering with FlowerWatch to modernise perishable cargo operations."

At the end of 2024, Maastricht Aachen Airport announced its strategy to focus on expanding air freight at the Dutch cargo hub, with a target of 200,000 tonnes by 2030.

In 2025, the airport appointed its first cargo sales executive, to enhance its position as a specialist regional cargo hub.

"Both cargo and passengers are important for MST; however, we expect to see higher and faster returns from our cargo operations, and our strategic focus in this area is clearly paying off," Boljuncic added.

Maastricht Aachen Airport recently applied for a new Airport License, which included a proposed runway extension to 2,750 meters. This expansion of the runway's operational length would allow cargo aircraft to depart with heavier loads and to reach more distant destinations.

The completion of its major runway renovation in 2023 restored full capacity and allowed carriers to resume and expand services, while targeted investments in cargo handling and ground‑processing efficiency strengthened the airport's appeal to freighter operators.

Dedicated cargo flights increased notably, and with passenger activity remaining relatively low, the airport was able to allocate more resources, apron space, and operational focus to freight. Together, these factors fueled the sharp rebound in volumes and reinforced Maastricht Aachen's position as a cargo‑centric gateway.