Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled 361,829 tonnes of cargo in the first quarter of 2026, a five per cent increase year-on-year, despite a March decline linked to Middle East disruption, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

Cargo volumes fell three per cent in March to 128,281 tonnes after strong growth in January and February. The downturn was attributed to geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Full freighters accounted for 59 per cent of March volumes, gaining three percentage points compared with last year. Belly cargo represented 41 per cent.

Inbound cargo rose from the Far East by 8 per cent, from Middle and South America by 18 per cent, and from Africa by 15 per cent. Volumes from the Middle East dropped 47 per cent.

Outbound shipments to the Far East increased by 10 per cent and to Africa by 8 per cent, while flows to the United States fell by 4 per cent. Cargo to the Middle East declined by 50 per cent.

Commodities handled included electrical machinery, flowers, fashion, fruit and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, fish, and spare parts.

Road Feeder Services processed 42,132 tonnes, nearly a quarter of total volumes. Maastricht Airport, described as Schiphol's 'seventh runway,' handled 6,220 tonnes, a 113 per cent rise year-on-year.