The Spanish airport operator, Aena, aims to boost air cargo through a plan that seeks to facilitate the development of freight transport and expects to grow at an average annual rate of between 4% and 4.5% in the coming years.
To achieve this, it detailed that it will invest in the development and optimization of the airports it manages for process digitalization and business development.
These actions will enable it to reach 1.2 million tons in 2026 and 1.085 million tons in 2036. Additionally, the plan envisages total investments of 17.7 million euros by the year 2026 and 32.5 million euros in subsequent years.
“Aena plans airport cities and the development of lands adjacent to the airports in line with the needs of the infrastructure and the market at each moment. It aims to facilitate and assist cargo operators and is a demonstration of the firm commitment to the logistics chain,” it said.
It recalled that cargo traffic marked a historic record in 2023, with over a million tons transported.
“Air cargo traffic is experiencing a peak moment which has translated into significant growth in recent years, with an average annual growth of 5.3% between 2015 and 2023, and specifically in 2023, 1,079,676 tons of cargo were moved, 7.9% more than in 2022,” it recalled.
According to the fourth-quarter report from the 2023 Air Cargo Observatory, Mexico is among the main cargo routes with Madrid Airport, operated by Aena.
The top one is Doha, which shows growth of 96%, followed by Mexico City Airport (+7%), Bogotá (+8%), Lima (+14%), and Buenos Aires (+46%).
Madrid-Barajas Airport shows a strong growth in the fourth quarter of 16% compared to 2022. These figures contrast with Frankfurt Airport (+3.4%) and Heathrow Airport (+14%) on an annual basis.
Aena reported that air cargo in the first three months of 2024 “has maintained an excellent performance.” In year-on-year data, the movement until March was 1,121,336 tons, representing an increase of 11.7% compared to the previous period, another new historical record.
In this sense, it detailed that the objectives of the Cargo Plan are to boost the development of freight transport, improve the competitiveness of airports with higher cargo activity, and ensure sustained growth in freight transport at Aena’s airports.
To achieve this, it contemplates, among other actions, the development and optimization of infrastructure for air cargo, process digitalization, and business development.
“The demand for spaces for the handling of goods at Aena’s airports has grown significantly, so the plan contemplates actions that will be accompanied by improvements in the management and optimization of access and circulation in cargo centers and the expansion of services to carriers,” it pointed out.
The strategic plan also includes an acceleration of the digitization and innovation of air cargo activity, including the development of new functionalities for the Cargo Community System and a system for measuring quality indicators of services provided at cargo centers.
Another objective is the diversification of operators at cargo airports and the promotion of specialized freight traffic. For this purpose, key traffic at each airport will be identified, as well as strategic alliances that will promote this type of specialized freight and, if necessary, the adaptation of infrastructure and processes.
“The Air Cargo Strategic Plan guarantees the future development of air freight transport, the promotion of air cargo centers, and the development of specific infrastructure for cargo. It works to promote the development of new air cargo routes at network airports and encourages freight transport activity by taking advantage of operational passenger routes in facilities that provide efficiency, security, agility, speed, and quality to companies operating in them,” it said.
Aena specified that it focuses the efforts of the organization, dedicated to air cargo, on the opening of new environments and products, seeking the growth of air freight transport in Spain, for which it reiterated its willingness to collaborate, alongside various institutions, business organizations, and importing and exporting companies, in anything that would improve the competitive position of the network airports.
“The cargo facilities of Aena’s airport network occupy an excellent competitive position compared to those in the European environment. In addition, they are an excellent opportunity for airlines due to their strategic position as a logistics platform for transporting goods between Asia and America,” it affirmed.
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