Air freight on the rise, passengers lag behind
Maastricht Aachen Airport today announces its first results for the year 2025. The airport handled a total of 41,636 tons of cargo, 159,270 passengers, and recorded 7,549 aircraft movements, of which 1,737 were cargo flights and 994 passenger flights.
The airport saw a decline in passenger numbers compared to the previous year due to the departure of two airlines. With Wizz Air expanding its operations from March 2026, Maastricht Aachen Airport expects to return to 2024 levels. Starting late March, Wizz Air will operate several flights per week to six destinations in Eastern Europe: Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Moldova, and Montenegro.
Maastricht Aachen Airport shows a remarkable increase in air freight. After declining figures since the runway renovation, the airport breaks the trend and reports a growth of more than 40%. This marks the first benefits of investments in cargo handling, particularly in the second half of 2025.
At the end of 2024, Maastricht Aachen Airport announced its focus on air freight. In the long term, the business case aims for 500,000 passengers and 200,000 tons of cargo. Both are important for the airport; however, the airport expects higher and faster returns from cargo compared to passengers. This focus is now clearly visible in the rising cargo volumes in 2025.
| Cargo (tons) | Passengers | Aircraft Movements | |
| 2025 | 41,636 | 159,270 | 7,549 |
| 2024 | 28,448 | 230,932 | 9,957 |
Airport License or Airport Operating Permit
Earlier this month, Maastricht Aachen Airport submitted an application for a new Airport Licence. This new permit is an important step in the further transition to a sustainable, environmentally conscious, and future-proof airport. With this application, Maastricht Aachen Airport aims for less nuisance for the surrounding area and a strong competitive position. Part of the application includes an extension of the operational runway length to 2,750 meters, allowing cargo aircraft to depart with heavier loads and/or to more distant destinations.