Liège ‘pop-up’ air cargo facility to continue operating to meet strong freighter demand

Passenger wide-body belly capacity is still nowhere near pre-pandemnic levels, meaning the need for maindeck capacity remains high at the cargo-specialist airport.

The pop-up handling facility set up at Liège Airport (LGG) earlier this year to facilitate the import of medical supplies in the wake of COVID-19 is to continue in service until the end of the current month, according to a senior executive for the Belgian air cargo hub.

It was scheduled to be taken down on 30 June.

The airport’s VP commercial, Steven Verhasselt, told Lloyd’s Loading List: “Due to the ongoing challenges to meet demand, we have agreed to extend the operations of the facility until 31 July 2020. Although passenger services are resuming, the long-haul flight networks, which provide wide-body belly capacity, are nowhere near pre-COVID 19 levels.

“Demand for maindeck capacity remains high and LGG is demonstrating its flexibility in accommodating any freighter charter operations required.

“More than 10,000 tonnes of cargo has been handled at the pop-up facility since the start of the (relief) operation. With the support of all stakeholders, and with special thanks to WFS and Air Bridge Cargo, it has been a success not only in terms of volumes but also in the quality of the operation which has surpassed all expectations.”

Source: Lloyd’s