Liège Airport (LGG) has established itself as one of Europe’s top air cargo hubs, blending advanced infrastructure, innovation, and a prime geographical location. During the EU Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum, the airport opened its doors to provide an insight into core operations, the renowned Horse Inn, Cainiao warehouse, and a deeper look into LGG’s growing role in the global logistics network.

Supply chain strategy

During the event, Torsten Wefers, Commercial Director of Liège Airport, delivered a keynote address detailing the airport’s strategic vision: “We’ve always focused on cargo. This is not just about shipments; it’s about innovation and the future of logistics.”

Liège Airport is more than just a traditional cargo hub; it integrates specialised facilities and cutting-edge solutions, as it continues to innovate, with a strong emphasis on handling live animals, perishables, and temperature-sensitive goods, as well as an underlying commitment to sustainability: “It is not just a buzzword. It is woven into our growth plans. We’re tackling environmental challenges head-on by reducing emissions, optimising energy use, and minimising road transport wherever possible.”

Perishables logistics

Liège Airport has also gained a reputation as a leader in the transport of temperature-sensitive goods, particularly flowers, with these developments visible during the tour.

“In one day alone, we handled 700 tonnes of flowers—500 tonnes from Nairobi and the rest from Quito,” Frederic Brun, Head of Commercial Cargo & Logistics, shared. 

The majority of these flowers head to the famous auctions in Amsterdam, with 70-80 percent of the cargo flowing directly through LGG to the Netherlands.

Speedy shipments

The Cainiao warehouse, operated by Alibaba’s logistics arm, is one of Europe’s largest e-commerce facilities and a cornerstone in the global supply chain. Processing millions of packages each week for European consumers, the warehouse has set new standards for automation and efficiency.

Utilising Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for seamless tracking, Cainiao ensures fast and accurate processing of shipments, keeping pace with the rising demands of e-commerce: “We handle around 70 flights per week, with shipments arriving from across the world.”

Horse hub

One of the premier facilities at Liège Airport is the Horse Inn, a state-of-the-art centre designed with safety in mind, the Horse Inn features reinforced areas to prevent accidents, and its height helps to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay. The set-up is also designed to avoid the unique challenges of handling these animals, such as resorting to non-invasive techniques like loading them backwards to reduce anxiety.

The facility offers climate-controlled stables, on-site veterinarians, and trained staff to ensure the highest standards of care.

Strategically positioned with easy access to France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, the airport plays a critical role in equine logistics.

“For the Olympic Games, we have to load 11 planes over seven days. It’s a complex operation that requires efficiency to ensure the horses are loaded safely and spend minimal time in transit,” Christian Jaucot, the Horse Inn’s manager, explained.

“We don’t just transport horses. We care for them as if they were our own.”

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