This article reveals Vienna Airport’s record-breaking air cargo performance in 2025 and what it means for supply chains and regional logistics.
Record figures and what they mean in plain terms
Vienna Airport handled 313,763 tonnes of air cargo in 2025, a new all-time high and a 5.3% increase over the previous year. That’s not a tiny blip — it’s a clear uptick driven by a mix of strategic airline services and booming market segments.
Key growth drivers
- Expanded long-haul capacity: More belly-hold space on intercontinental flights helped move larger volumes, especially from Asia and to North America.
- E-commerce surge: Cross-border online shopping continued to push volumes into Europe via Vienna.
- Pharmaceutical shipments: The Vienna Pharma Handling Center exceeded its previous year by 6.4%, reflecting stronger demand for temperature‑controlled logistics.
Trade flows: imports and exports
Imports to Vienna amounted to 167,568 tonnes, up 2.8% and confirming the airport’s role as a gateway for goods into Central and Eastern Europe. Exports jumped to 146,195 tonnes, an 8.4% rise, with Asia and the United States among the top destinations.
Why Vienna Airport is punching above its weight
Geography helps: Vienna sits at a convenient crossroads for Central and Eastern Europe, shortening road feeder times to major consumer and industrial centers. Operational readiness is another advantage — 24/7 operations and rapid transshipment routines reduce dwell time and improve throughput.
Infrastructure that supports heavy-lift and temperature-sensitive freight
Vienna Airport offers ten Category F aircraft parking bays suitable for freighters such as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124, located in close proximity to terminal facilities. Combined with a specialized pharma handling center, these assets make the airport attractive to carriers moving sperrig und temperature-controlled cargo alike.
| Metrisch | 2025 | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Total cargo handled | 313,763 tonnes | +5.3% |
| Einfuhren | 167,568 tonnes | +2.8% |
| Ausfuhren | 146,195 tonnes | +8.4% |
| Pharma center performance | New record | +6.4% |
Operational excellence: team, processes and partnerships
Strong performance doesn’t happen by chance. Senior management highlighted that seamless interlocking processes, focused service quality, and collaboration with global airlines were central to the result. Vienna’s ground handling and cargo operations emphasize quick turnarounds and reliability — the two pillars that make a hub tick.
What this looks like on the ground
- Dedicated handling teams for pharma and e-commerce parcels.
- Close coordination between carriers, customs and road feeder operators.
- Rapid handoffs to distribution networks covering Central and Eastern Europe within 24–48 hours.
Implications for shippers and logistics planners
For freight forwarders and shippers, a healthy hub means more routing options, better schedules, and competitive pricing. When a hub like Vienna increases capacity and optimizes handling for sensitive cargo, it reduces the risk of delays and damage — a big deal for pharmaceutical shipments and time‑critical e-commerce consignments.
Practical takeaways for logistics managers
- Consider routing time-sensitive shipments via Vienna to leverage fast transshipment and temperature-controlled handling.
- Expect more belly-hold options on long-haul flights, which can be cheaper than full freighter uplift for certain goods.
- Use the airport’s road feeder services to shorten last‑mile delivery windows across Central and Eastern Europe.
Risks and challenges to watch
Growth always comes with caveats. Increased volumes may strain feeder networks or surface transport capacity, and any spike in demand for cold-chain services could tighten availability and push up rates. Customs policy shifts — as seen in part of 2025 — also influence export volumes and routing decisions.
Checklist for risk mitigation
- Plan flexible routing options and book space earlier during peak seasons.
- Work with partners who offer robust cold-chain handling and traceability.
- Monitor customs and trade policy developments that affect export lanes, particularly to the U.S.
How this development affects the wider logistics landscape
On a global scale, Vienna’s record is not a market‑shifting event like the opening of a new mega‑hub, but it is a meaningful indicator: demand for cross‑border e-commerce and pharma logistics remains strong, and hubs that cater to these needs will continue to see traffic growth. For shippers targeting Central and Eastern Europe, Vienna’s improvements are quite relevant and may nudge routing and capacity planning.
On the ground, Flughafen Wien AG’s role as a major regional employer (with a workforce of more than 5,400) reinforces local logistics ecosystems and provides the labor and expertise needed to maintain service levels.
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In summary, Vienna Airport’s 2025 cargo record — 313,763 tonnes driven by expanded long-haul belly capacity, e-commerce growth and a booming pharma segment — highlights its steady role as a logistics hub for Central and Eastern Europe. The airport’s 24/7 operations, Category F parking capacity, and strengthened handling services reduce transit times and offer more reliable options for cargo, freight, shipment, delivery, transport, logistics, shipping, forwarding, dispatch und Beförderung. Whether you move parcels, pallets, Container oder sperrig consignments, Vienna’s performance points to improved network resilience and choice. For businesses seeking reliable international and regional distribution or planning a housemove or commercial relocation, platforms like GetTransport.com align neatly with these trends, providing efficient, cost-effective and convenient transportation solutions for a broad range of needs.
Vienna Airport posts a 2025 air cargo high and strengthens its Central and Eastern Europe logistics role">