Amsterdam Airport Schiphol recorded a 5% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes during the first quarter of 2026, handling a total of 361,829 tonnes despite a weaker March caused by geopolitical disruption in the Middle East.
The airport posted strong growth in January and February, but volumes softened in March, when throughput declined by 3% year on year to 128,281 tonnes. Schiphol said the drop was mainly linked to ongoing developments in the Middle East.
Even so, the broader quarterly picture remained positive. In March, the split between belly cargo and full freighter traffic stood at 41% and 59% respectively, with freighters gaining three percentage points compared with the same month last year.
Inbound and outbound flows remained relatively balanced, with inbound cargo accounting for 53% of traffic and outbound for 47%.
On inbound flows, Schiphol saw growth from several key markets. Volumes from the Far East increased by 8%, cargo from Middle and South America rose by 18%, and Africa recorded 15% growth. By contrast, inbound traffic from the Middle East fell sharply, down 47%.
Outbound performance was also mixed. Shipments to the Far East rose by 10% and exports to Africa increased by 8%, while cargo to the United States declined by 4%. Traffic to the Middle East registered the sharpest fall, dropping by 50%.
Among the main commodities handled in March were electrical machinery, flowers, fashion products, fruit and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, fish and spare parts.
Road Feeder Services continued to play a substantial role in Schiphol’s cargo mix. The airport handled 42,132 tonnes of RFS cargo during the period, representing nearly a quarter of total cargo volumes.
Meanwhile, Maastricht Airport — often described as Schiphol’s “seventh runway” — processed 6,220 tonnes of air cargo, marking a 113% year-on-year increase.
Despite pressure from geopolitical events, Schiphol’s first-quarter figures suggest the airport continues to benefit from diversified cargo demand and a strong role for freighter activity.
