Loading...
Belgium's major air cargo hubs are joining hands to modernise customs handling through a unified digital platform aimed at streamlining cargo operations and strengthening the country’s position as a European logistics hub.
Brussels Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport have announced a collaborative initiative to standardise and digitise customs procedures for import, export and transit cargo movements. The project is being coordinated by Air Cargo Belgium in partnership with LGG Connect, reflecting an industry-wide push toward smarter and more integrated cargo processing systems.
The initiative comes as European customs authorities continue transitioning toward the Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Customs (MASP-C), a broader EU programme designed to modernise customs operations through digitalisation. Under the new Belgian framework, cargo stakeholders will be able to exchange customs declarations electronically through airport community platforms using harmonised interfaces and processes.
For operators, the move is expected to significantly reduce administrative complexity and improve cargo visibility across airport ecosystems. Air cargo companies will be able to submit Temporary Storage Declarations digitally via dedicated portals integrated into existing cargo community systems such as BRUCloud at Brussels Airport and LGG Tracking at Liège Airport. Both platforms will follow the same operational logic while remaining individually connected to Belgian customs systems for declaration processing and status updates.
Industry observers view the collaboration as a notable development in a sector where airport communities often operate independently. By aligning customs procedures across multiple gateways, Belgium aims to create a more seamless experience for freight forwarders, handlers and international shippers moving cargo through the country.
The initiative is also expected to enhance Belgium’s attractiveness as a transit and e-commerce hub. Brussels Airport has already established itself as a major European cargo gateway with strong pharmaceutical, perishables and express freight capabilities, while Liège Airport has emerged as a leading e-commerce and full-freighter hub connected to multiple Asian markets.
Executives involved in the project say the standardised approach will support faster customs clearance, improve operational efficiency and enable better coordination between cargo stakeholders and customs authorities. The digital infrastructure is also aligned with broader sustainability and trade facilitation goals, as paper-based procedures continue to be phased out across the logistics sector.
Belgium has been actively investing in digital cargo solutions over recent years, including earlier initiatives such as the BE-GATE customs platform developed to simplify cross-border e-commerce shipments. The new airport collaboration builds on those foundations while extending interoperability across the national cargo network.
Development of the unified platform will continue over the coming months, with the participating airports targeting operational readiness before the end of 2026. As global supply chains increasingly depend on data-driven logistics infrastructure, Belgium’s coordinated approach could serve as a model for cross-airport customs integration in Europe.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued its steady cargo recovery trajectory in April 2026, handling 423,000 tonnes of cargo, a 4.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The growth reinforces HKIA’s position as one of the world’s leading air cargo gateways and highlights the resilience of Asia-Pacific supply chains despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. According to figures released by Airport Authority Hong Kong, the rise in cargo throughput was largely driven by strong transshipment activity, which surged 20.2 percent year on year during the month. Import cargo volumes also posted healthy growth of 6.5 percent, while the decline in exports narrowed significantly to just 0.3 percent, signalling improving global trade demand. Cargo flight movements at HKIA increased 4.3 percent to 6,605 flights in April, underlining continued demand for air freight services across regional and long-haul markets. Europe and Southeast Asia emerged as key growth drivers, offsetting weaker demand from North America and the Middle East, where ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to impact trade and logistics flows. For the first four months of 2026, HKIA processed 1.63 million tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year growth of 3.7 percent. Total flight movements during the same period rose 5.1 percent to 135,090. On a rolling 12-month basis, the airport handled 5.12 million tonnes of cargo, up 2.9 percent compared with the previous year. Industry analysts note that Hong Kong’s cargo sector continues to benefit from robust cross-border e-commerce flows, high-value electronics shipments, and expanding transshipment operations connecting mainland China with global markets. The airport’s extensive connectivity and cargo handling infrastructure remain central to its competitive advantage in the global logistics landscape. HKIA’s performance also aligns with broader momentum across Hong Kong’s aviation sector. The airport retained its title as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, marking the 15th time it has achieved the distinction since 2010. Airport Authority Hong Kong has continued investing in cargo capacity expansion, digitalisation initiatives, and specialised handling capabilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce shipments. Meanwhile, Cathay Cargo also reported improved freight volumes in April, reflecting sustained demand on routes connecting Asia with the Americas and Europe. The airline cited growth in semiconductor, technology, and pharmaceutical shipments as important contributors to cargo performance. Despite ongoing concerns around geopolitical instability and shifting trade patterns, HKIA’s latest cargo figures indicate that the airport remains a critical node in global supply chains. As international trade volumes gradually stabilise and e-commerce continues to drive air freight demand, Hong Kong appears well positioned to maintain its leadership role in the global air cargo industry. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
Qatar Airways Cargo has retained its position as the world’s leading air cargo carrier despite a decline in freight volumes and revenues during the latest financial year, underscoring the resilience of its global network and diversified cargo strategy. The carrier’s performance reflects the broader challenges facing the airfreight industry, including geopolitical disruptions, softening demand, and volatile operating conditions. According to the airline’s latest financial results, cargo revenues fell by 9.6% year-on-year to approximately $4.45 billion for the financial year ending March 2026. Freight volumes also declined as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted regional airspace and impacted trade flows during the closing months of the fiscal period. Despite the downturn, Qatar Airways Cargo maintained its leadership position in the global air cargo market, supported by its expansive international footprint and strong operational connectivity through Hamad International Airport in Doha. The airline transported around 1.43 million metric tonnes of freight during the year, accounting for an estimated 12% share of the global air cargo market. Industry analysts note that the carrier’s continued dominance is tied to long-term investments in fleet modernization, specialized cargo solutions, and digital transformation initiatives. Qatar Airways Cargo has steadily expanded its portfolio of premium logistics products targeting pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, aerospace, and semiconductor shipments—segments that continue to generate demand despite broader market volatility. The airline has also strengthened its operational capabilities through investments in dedicated cargo infrastructure and specialized handling facilities. Its Doha hub remains one of the most strategically positioned gateways linking Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, enabling the carrier to maintain schedule reliability and transit efficiency even during periods of disruption. The broader air cargo sector, however, continues to face uncertainty. Rising fuel prices, ongoing geopolitical instability, and shifts in global trade patterns are placing pressure on yields across the industry. Several airlines have reported softer freight demand in 2026 as capacity growth outpaces market expansion. The airline appears focused on sustaining long-term growth through network expansion and specialised logistics services. The company has continued to invest in temperature-controlled facilities, live-animal transport, and high-value cargo handling solutions while deepening partnerships with freight forwarders and logistics providers. The latest results reinforce Qatar Airways Cargo’s ability to navigate cyclical market pressures while preserving its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global airfreight landscape. As supply chains continue to adapt to geopolitical and economic shifts, the carrier’s scale, connectivity, and specialised service offerings are expected to remain key differentiators in the international cargo market. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged for increased adoption of global standards and for moving towards advanced ground handling equipment (GSE) and digitalization within the industry. The move will help enhance safety, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in the field of ground handling. The announcement was made during the 38th edition of the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), which kicked off in Cairo under the auspices of EgyptAir. “While ground handling is usually invisible to passengers, its impact on their travel experience is obvious when something goes wrong. Be it a delay in receiving baggage, damage to aircraft, a mistake in loading, or a problem with turnaround. Such incidents take only a few minutes, but their consequences can affect a whole network. Increased implementation of standards, advanced equipment, and digitalization are essential foundations of future ground handling operations,” explained Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director Ground Operations. According to the recent statistics on ground handling safety by IATA, there have been no fatalities and only one serious injury reported from ground handling in 2025, among nearly 40 million flights. Standards are essential for ensuring safe and efficient ground operations. The IGOM and the AHM are considered critical guidelines for all airlines and ground handling service providers (GHSPs). As per IATA, there is a need to move faster towards the implementation of these standards, avoid any unnecessary variations, and increase the utilization of audit programs like ISAGO. Implement IGOM and AHM consistently: The Operational Portal is currently being used by over 1,000 registered users, out of which 280 are airlines and 700+ are ground handler accounts. In 2025, the total number of organisations that reported their IGOM adoption rate was 582, and more than 500 of them have aligned their AHM training requirements. Avoid unnecessary variations: IATA requested that all variations must be well-justified, clear, and minimal. In 2025, out of the organisations that provided information about their IGOM gap analysis, over 40% of them had no variations. On average, each audit report had 32 variations, making up 8% of all IGOM processes, which are mostly concerned with aircraft arrival procedures. Boosting oversight through ISAGO: By 2025, the new ISAGO model will have already resulted in nearly 300 audits. Today, ISAGO certifies over 230 ground handling service providers at 441 stations located at more than 250 airports, and over 200 airlines use their audit reports. Damage to aircraft on the ground is one of the most enduring operational and financial hazards in ground handling, with nearly 29,000 incidents of aircraft ground damage occurring in 2025. However, unless we manage to decrease the frequency of such cases, the expenses will escalate as our industry continues to grow. Modernization, however, involves much more than just ensuring that our equipment is safe. It must also be environmentally friendly. “One of the two priorities is a move towards improved GSE and electric GSE,” said Mejstrikova. Disjointed data, manual work, and delayed data are still significant obstacles to improved safety and efficiency in ground handling. “Ground handling processes continue to depend heavily on disjointed systems, manual entries, and delayed data. This gap in the availability of data creates chances for errors, lost luggage, misloaded planes, and the identification of hazards late in the process. Data leads to greater visibility and decision-making,” said Mejstrikova. For more such news and updates, visit: CARGOCONNECT.
