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Asia slowdown, Russian relations impact Schiphol first half cargo volume
AMSTERDAM Airport Schiphol handled 2.1 per cent less cargo in the first half down to 784,567 tonnes year on year, mostly because of declines in Asian and Russian traffic.
Other regions held up better with first half North America traffic rising 4.7 per cent in the period, to 150,494 tonnes while Latin America produced a 4.8 per cent increase to 84,482 tonnes.
Middle East traffic was down 3.4 per cent at 103,243 tonnes and Africa was only marginally down (0.1 per cent) at 88,860 tonnes.
In the same period, freighter movements rose 1.4 per cent to 8,218. Schipholˇs best month in the period was March, with a total of 139,597 tonnes.
"Itˇs disappointing that we have not seen some growth again in 2015 so far, but given the current softness of our major market, China, the tonnages are better than we might have expected," said newly-appointed cargo chief Jonas van Stekelenburg.
"The weakness of the Russian economy also impacted one of our biggest flower markets, affecting exports around Valentineˇs Day and other events in their calendar when flowers are given," he said.
"The figures are also better than they might appear, as they are compared against a very strong first half of 2014, when we experienced a growth of 7.2 per cent. The tonnages for 2015 are actually still 6.5 per cent up on 2013.
"Our ongoing drive to innovate and improve processes at Schiphol, and the proactive work we are undertaking to develop new trade lanes and vertical clusters, should continue to insulate us against the worst effects of slowing economies," said Mr van Stekelenburg.
Other regions held up better with first half North America traffic rising 4.7 per cent in the period, to 150,494 tonnes while Latin America produced a 4.8 per cent increase to 84,482 tonnes.
Middle East traffic was down 3.4 per cent at 103,243 tonnes and Africa was only marginally down (0.1 per cent) at 88,860 tonnes.
In the same period, freighter movements rose 1.4 per cent to 8,218. Schipholˇs best month in the period was March, with a total of 139,597 tonnes.
"Itˇs disappointing that we have not seen some growth again in 2015 so far, but given the current softness of our major market, China, the tonnages are better than we might have expected," said newly-appointed cargo chief Jonas van Stekelenburg.
"The weakness of the Russian economy also impacted one of our biggest flower markets, affecting exports around Valentineˇs Day and other events in their calendar when flowers are given," he said.
"The figures are also better than they might appear, as they are compared against a very strong first half of 2014, when we experienced a growth of 7.2 per cent. The tonnages for 2015 are actually still 6.5 per cent up on 2013.
"Our ongoing drive to innovate and improve processes at Schiphol, and the proactive work we are undertaking to develop new trade lanes and vertical clusters, should continue to insulate us against the worst effects of slowing economies," said Mr van Stekelenburg.
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