• Liège Airport is pursuing a disciplined expansion strategy through CargoLand, targeting growth from 1.2 million to 1.5 million tonnes by prioritising freighter operations, 24/7 flexibility and congestion-free infrastructure, positioning itself as a scalable alternative to passenger-led hubs.
• CargoLand’s competitive edge lies in purpose-built, cargo-only design: over €500 million in investment, expanded warehouse capacity (around 300,000 sq m), automation, AI and Digital Twin technology are enabling higher volumes, particularly e-commerce and express, without proportional cost increases.
• The hub is diversifying beyond e-commerce into higher-value segments (pharma, perishables, live animals) while strengthening long-haul Asia and transatlantic links, with sustainability and multimodal integration underpinning its ambition to rank among Europe’s top three cargo airports.

Frédéric Brun, VP Sales and Marketing at LGG sat down with Air Cargo Week to discuss how he is advancing a disciplined expansion strategy designed to deliver growth without congestion or compromise.

Through careful investment in bespoke, cargo-dedicated infrastructure under the CargoLand masterplan, he’s reinforced a freighter-first, round-the-clock operating platform, while enhanced Asia and transatlantic links sharpen network reach and reliability.

He believes this balanced approach strengthens inbound and outbound load performance, unlocking greater operational efficiency and commercial value. Anchored by deep, long-term partnerships with leading freight forwarders, the model secures resilient, repeat volumes, ensuring sustainable growth and positioning LGG as a highly competitive, future-ready European air cargo hub.

Positioning its cargo operations

LGG is positioning its cargo operations as a scalable, congestion-free gateway in north-western Europe to drive growth from approximately 1.2 million tonnes today to an estimated 1.5 million tonnes over the next five years. Through CargoLand by LGG, capacity is being expanded in a structured manner, targeting 1.34 million tonnes in 2025 and 1.5 million tonnes within two years. This growth is supported by expanding purpose-built infrastructure under the CargoLand masterplan, maintaining a “freighter-first, 24/7 operating model,” and strengthening Asia and transatlantic connectivity to improve inbound and outbound load factors. “Deep, long-term partnerships with forwarders” further secure sustainable, repeat volumes.

CargoLand by LGG is built on structural advantages that differentiate LGG from passenger-led hubs such as Schiphol, Frankfurt, and Paris CDG. Unrestricted 24/7 operations without curfews or slot constraints, combined with a pure cargo focus, deliver faster turnaround times and unmatched operational flexibility. Its central European location, within one-day trucking reach of 75% of EU GDP, positions LGG as a proven congestion-relief alternative capable of sustaining long-term growth of 4–5 percent. Last but not least, its approach with forwarders and on verticals allows Brun to really emphasise the response to market needs quickly and improve our service levels to standards.

Planned investments that exceed €500 million by 2030 significantly enhance CargoLand by LGG’s competitiveness in north-western Europe. CargoLand delivers next-generation, scalable cargo infrastructure, integrating automation, AI-enabled processes, and a Digital Twin for predictive operations. Expanded aircraft stands, MRO capability and strengthened multimodal connectivity ensure that long-term infrastructure planning aligns with an ambition to rank among Europe’s top three cargo hubs. Creating a whole interline network within the airport airlines portfolio also naturally creates more needs and responds accordingly, says Brun.

Scale and design

Additional warehouse capacity, projected to increase by roughly 300,000 sq m within five years, plays in supporting higher volumes of e-commerce and express freight, notes Brun. The planned addition of warehouse capacity is central to supporting higher e-commerce and express volumes. CargoLand by LGG enables faster parcel breakdown, sorting and last-mile distribution while separating airside and landside flows to improve efficiency and resilience. This scale and design continue to attract integrators, handlers and global logistics players seeking reliable second-line processing capacity, Brun considers.

“At CargoLand by LGG, movements aren’t a real blocker as the actual limit on the airport’s permit is set at 55,000 movements and we could double the number of movements.” Today there are 26,000 movements, so it is not a challenge, on the contrary, as Brun aims to increase these numbers.

CargoLand by LGG’s strong focus on full-freighter operations remains a key differentiator as belly-hold capacity gradually recovers elsewhere. Freighters are structurally essential for e-commerce and express cargo, and its cargo-only model avoids passenger-driven operational constraints. Charter flexibility and night operations remain unmatched in north-western Europe, positioning CargoLand by LGG as a complementary hub rather than a competitor to belly-led airports.

LGG is planning for shifts in cargo mix with the expectation that e-commerce will continue to account for more than 40% of total volumes over the next five years, while actively diversifying into higher-value and specialist segments. CargoLand by LGG has been designed to support sustained e-commerce growth alongside expanded capabilities in pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals and express cargo. Investment in commodity-specific infrastructure reduces reliance on any single market segment and strengthens resilience against economic cycles. Recent examples include the development of a fully temperature-controlled handling area by Swissport in 2025 and the comprehensive renovation of the LGG VET Center in the same year. Together, these initiatives create a balanced, flexible cargo portfolio aligned with long-term market demand.

Digitalisation and automation initiatives

 What impact will digitalisation and automation initiatives have on operational efficiency as Liège LGG seeks to handle an additional 250,000–300,000 tonnes of freight without proportionate increases in cost?

Brun considers that digitalisation is critical to handling this additional volume without proportional cost increases. The LGG Tracking tool and LGG Connect platform reduce manual handling and process friction, while the Digital Twin enables predictive planning and disruption management. Automation allows volume growth without linear cost escalation, and data-driven operations improve reliability and resource utilisation across the cargo chain.

“CargoLand by LGG embeds sustainability at the design level, supporting a roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2030. The operation is already powered on 100% renewable electricity for buildings, we are electrifying GSE and providing SAF-ready fuel infrastructure to support airline decarbonisation. Noise management, biodiversity protection, and energy efficiency are fully integrated into CargoLand by LGG’s long-term development”. 

Long-haul cargo routes

Ask Brun what opportunities new long-haul cargo routes to Asia and North America present for LGG, and how might these affect its standing among Europe’s top five cargo airports by volume, and his response is positive.

New long-haul cargo routes to Asia and North America strengthen CargoLand by LGG’s role as a primary freighter gateway. Increased network density improves aircraft utilisation and enhances the airport’s attractiveness for global forwarders and integrators. These developments directly support the ambition to consolidate its position among Europe’s top three cargo airports.

The five-year growth projections are underpinned by strong exposure to counter-cyclical e-commerce demand and a diversified cargo portfolio. Charter and freighter flexibility allow rapid capacity adjustment in weaker markets, while cost-efficient CargoLand by LGG infrastructure improves downside resilience during periods of economic volatility. The vertical approach for diversification has been done, and the forwarder approach is ongoing. Communities on pharma and flowers reinforce this position.

Cargoland by LGG continues to strengthen its position as a central distribution hub by deepening its integration within the Belgium–Netherlands–western Germany logistics triangle. In responding to how the airport is working with regional logistics clusters to reinforce this role, management points to strong road, rail and port connectivity that supports efficient multimodal flows across the wider region. Close collaboration with freight forwarders, ground handlers and customs authorities further enables seamless cargo processing and rapid onward distribution. CargoLand by LGG has been conceived not simply as an airport development but as a fully integrated European logistics ecosystem, designed to align infrastructure, services and regulatory interfaces around the needs of international supply chains and high frequency cargo operators.

Questions around how changes in freighter fleet composition will influence infrastructure and operational planning are addressed through a long-term strategy that anticipates a gradual shift towards larger and more efficient next-generation widebody freighters. Planning for aprons, aircraft stands and maintenance facilities is aligned with the expectation that fewer aircraft movements will deliver higher tonnage per flight. This approach supports both operational efficiency and environmental performance, as newer aircraft offer improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. While infrastructure readiness is progressing in line with these trends, Brun notes that the principal constraint currently lies in the slow delivery schedules of new aircraft rather than any limitation in airport capacity or development timelines.

As cargo revenues are projected to rise towards €250 million annually within the next five years, attention naturally turns to anticipated financial performance. Growth is expected to be driven not only by increased volumes but also by a greater share of value added cargo services. Digitalisation and automation initiatives are intended to improve operational margins and strengthen cost discipline, while the CargoLand by LGG development programme is expected to unlock additional commercial and real estate revenue streams. Investment planning is structured to balance long-term capital deployment with sustainable returns, reinforcing financial resilience through market cycles.

Consolidating CargoLand by LGG

Ultimately, the question of how critical successful execution will be in consolidating Liège Airport LGG’s long-term position within north-western Europe’s air cargo network is seen as fundamental. The phased delivery of CargoLand by LGG, supported by strong governance, digital leadership and a clear sustainability agenda, is designed to reduce execution risk while maintaining strategic momentum. Brun considers that consistent delivery against these objectives will be decisive in establishing LGG as a long-term reference hub for European air cargo, capable of supporting evolving fleet trends, regional logistics integration and sustainable financial growth.

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