Key air freight hub for European supply chains
The Netherlands is a key logistics hub for Europe with world-class airports handling large volumes of goods and passengers.
This strategic advantage is further supported by the country’s efficient transportation networks, solid digital infrastructure, and proximity to key European markets.
Over 1.5 mil tons cargo
Over 587,000 cross-country flights
5 major airports
Key European air hub
The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam Airport Scchiphol, serves as a critical European airfreight hub due to its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, efficient customs, and strong focus on innovation through initiatives.
The international ariport handles vast volumes of high-value goods (pharma, perishables, electronics) for export and import, leveraging seamless integration with Rotterdam’s port, digital processes, and a collaborative environment to maintain its leading role as a gateway to Europe.
Schiphol airport
Schiphol is not just a passenger hub; it’s also one of Europe’s busiest cargo airports. With over 1.44 million tons of cargo handled annually, Schiphol facilitates the movement of high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables. It offers extensive cargo connections to key global markets, supported by a seamless multimodal transport system that integrates road, rail, and air.
Its proximity to other major European markets makes it a top choice for cargo distribution in the region.
Key facts:
- 305 direct destinations from Schiphol worldwide
- 441,969 air transport movements in 2023
- 1.38 million tonnes of cargo in 2023
- 120 airlines fly directly from and to Schiphol
Maastricht Airport: a small airport that makes a big difference
Strategically located in the heart of Western Europe, Maastricht Aachen Airport offers a fast, efficient, and highly reliable gateway to Western European markets.
The airport, part of the Royal Schiphol Group, serves as a vital logistics hub for Limburg and the wider Euregio, where the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet. In 2024, the airport handled 107,116 tonnes of cargo, both flown and trucked freight.
Maastricht Aachen Airport is well equipped for a wide range of cargo flows. In addition to general cargo, it specialises in complex and time-critical shipments such as dangerous goods, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and oversized cargo.
With an annual cargo capacity of 220,000 tonnes and an on-time performance consistently above 98%, Maastricht Aachen Airport punches well above its weight in air cargo handling.
A strong network of regional airports
Alongside Schiphol and Maastricht Aachen Airport, the Netherlands is home to several regional airports that play a valuable supporting role in the national aviation and logistics network. Eindhoven Airport, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and Groningen Airport Eelde primarily serve passenger traffic, while strengthening the airfreight ecosystem through regional access, flexibility, and multimodal connectivity.
While cargo volumes are limited, these airports support belly-hold freight, express services, and ad hoc charter operations linked to regional industries. Eindhoven Airport is closely connected to the high-tech and manufacturing cluster in the Brainport region, Rotterdam The Hague Airport facilitates time-sensitive business freight near the Port of Rotterdam and the Randstad, and Groningen Airport Eelde provides specialist and charter services for northern industries and cross-border logistics with Germany.
Together, they enhance the resilience and nationwide reach of the Dutch airfreight network.
A seamless gateway into Europe
The strength of the Dutch airport network doesn’t stand alone — it is part of an exceptionally well-connected national transport ecosystem that integrates air, sea and land routes to deliver unmatched access to European markets.
This connectivity is amplified by one of Europe’s densest motorway networks, linking airports directly to inland distribution hubs and neighbouring countries such as Germany and France in just a few hours.
Also, the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, works in harmony with the air freight sector to create door-to-door logistics options that combine sea, air, road and rail.
In short, foreign businesses entering the European market can rely on this integrated infrastructure to reach more than 500 million European consumers within a day’s transport, ensuring speed, flexibility and efficiency.
Strategic location in Europe
High volume cargo hubs
Integrated multimodal transport
Any questions about Dutch airports and airfreight?
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