Brussels Airport: a growing e-commerce hub

As online shopping increases and the demand for efficient e-commerce logistics solutions increases, Brussels Airport promises to innovate and invest in infrastructure, digitalization and partnerships to stay at the forefront.

Located in the heart of Europe and acting as a logistics hub, Brussels Airport handled 700,846 tons of cargo in calendar year 2023. The airport is connected to the world by 64 airlines offering flights to 185 direct destinations.

The airport is also Belgium’s economic hub, creating over 85,000 jobs and contributing €8.8 billion to the Belgian economy. 7,062 direct employees (27 percent) are related to the cargo business, which also generates 23 percent of direct value added (539 million euros).

Brussels Airport has also gained a reputation as Europe’s pharmaceutical portal thanks to its location, providing easy access to major European markets and proximity to the production facilities of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

“Many years of investment and expertise, including in the handling of pharmaceuticals and life sciences, have strengthened Brussels Airport’s position as the preferred European pharmaceutical gateway,” says Dimitri Bettoni, director of freight transport and network development at the Brussels-based Airport Company.

“Brussels Airport is positioning itself as a vital link in the cargo chain between Asia and Europe, supporting the growing demand for trade and e-commerce in both markets.”

Dimitri Bettoni, Brussels airport company

However, Brussels Airport is not limited to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, although it represents 17 percent of the airport’s export volume, which is significantly higher than the European average.

As Bettoni said: “We also specialize in handling perishable goods, live animals and e-commerce.”

For example, the airport saw an increase in imports from Asia throughout 2024, especially in January and February 2024, when year-on-year (YoY) growth was 112 and 101 percent, respectively, in line with the global e-commerce growth trend.

With the development of e-commerce, Brussels Airport Company is increasingly focusing on this sector. Bettoni reports that it is aware of competition at other European hub airports. “However,” he said, “e-commerce is a broad and very diverse noun, so there is enough cake for everyone.”

Brussels Airport has established strong cargo partnerships, particularly with China. The airport has launched various direct flights to major Chinese cities, facilitating faster and more reliable transportation of e-commerce goods.

“This is made possible thanks to the strong partnership with Chinese airlines that already fly to Brussels and the signing of new memorandums of understanding with Chinese airports,” he said.

He added: “Through these efforts, Brussels Airport is positioning itself as a vital link in the cargo chain between Asia and Europe, supporting the growing trade and e-commerce requirements in both markets.”

Brussels Airport is improving solutions to improve cargo operations, infrastructure and transit times.

For example, the airport is currently redeveloping its cargo area, creating 25 percent more storage capacity by 2027.

“These investments will improve cargo throughput not only between first- and second-line warehouses, but also from the public area to the airport airside and vice versa,” Bettoni said.

He recalled that Brussels airport is home to large e-commerce service providers such as DHL, FedEx and BPost, each of which has its own dedicated hubs in the Brucargo zone. The Brucargo zone is a separate cargo area at Brussels airport, specially designed for cargo transport.

“On arrival, e-commerce shipments are offloaded from the aircraft and transferred to specialized facilities or onward flights through well-designed airside operations,” he said.

One of the biggest challenges in transporting e-commerce goods is the increased customs inspections and procedures around the world. Bettoni noted that close cooperation with customs authorities is necessary to maintain efficient e-commerce processes.

For example, in June 2024, the Brussels-based Airport Company, Air Cargo Belgium and Belgian Customs signed a document with a vision to improve infrastructure, increase operational efficiency, leverage digitalization and foster collaboration.

As Bettoni put it: “The vision document will strengthen Brucargo’s competitive position through intensified cooperation between the different parties. Efficient and effective customs processes necessary to positively distinguish the airport from surrounding competitors.”

He also added: “For low-value e-commerce goods, simplified customs procedures have been implemented, reducing the time and formalities necessary to clear these goods through customs. The introduction of the EU Import Control System 2 (ICS2) helps ensure compliance while speeding up clearance.”

To ensure a smooth operation, it is extremely important to support strong community collaboration and digitalization. Bettoni noted that Brussels Airport is a leader in the use and implementation of digital tools for our cargo community partners through BRUcloud, an open data exchange platform used by members of the Brucargo community.

He gave the example of the Inspection Management App digital solution, “providing a centralized and digitized flow that streamlines and accelerates the inspection of imported perishable goods and the cooperation between operators and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC),” he said.

Similarly, Air Cargo Belgium (ACB), a non-profit organization, represents the interests of the air cargo community at Brussels Airport.

Bettoni said: “Together with Air Cargo Belgium, we listen to the needs of all stakeholders and discuss challenges, opportunities and best practices.”

“By using technology and automation, the platform contributes to a more flexible and customer-centric approach to cargo handling at Brussels Airport,” he added.

He also believes that transparency between all stakeholders of the Brucargo community and strong cooperation with customs authorities are crucial in the process of handling e-commerce.

“By focusing on digitalization and innovation, we not only strive for smoother and faster cargo operations, but we can also guarantee process security and continue to support the specific needs of e-commerce,” he said.

Thanks to its strategic initiatives, Brussels Airport is not only keeping pace with the e-commerce boom, but is also leading the way as one of the most efficient logistics platforms in Europe.