The Association of German Air Cargo Handlers (VACAD) recorded a significant rise in the air cargo throughput of its member companies in the third quarter of 2025. According to the association, a total of 477,561 tonnes of freight were handled. This corresponds to a 7.3 percent increase compared with the previous year's quarter and an increase of 32,641 tonnes. Compared with the second quarter of the year, the throughput volume rose by 25,166 tonnes or 5.6 percent.
Employment rises slightly
According to VACAD, the
number of employees in air cargo handling has also increased slightly. In the third quarter of 2025, 3,239 employees were employed in the sector, 1.9 percent more than in the second quarter. Compared with the same period last year, however, the number of employees remains 4.4 percent lower.
Challenges posed by framework conditions
The association regards the sustained growth in throughput as a positive signal for the German air freight location. According to VACAD Chairman Claus Wagner, however, it is by no means a
given to continue the trend under the current economic conditions. Political framework conditions such as extremely long waiting times for security checks and impractical guidelines continue to constrain the companies' room for maneuver.
“The tonnage growth in the third quarter, in economically challenging times, is an important signal for the German air cargo location. Maintaining this trend sustainably, however, is not a given,” says VACAD Chairman Claus Wagner. “Political framework conditions such as extremely long waiting times for security checks and impractical guidelines continue
to unnecessarily restrict our options.”
Association with a broad industry base
VACAD was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. According to the association, it currently consists of 14 member companies that operate at almost all commercial airports in Germany. In 2024, the members together handled around 1.8 million tonnes of freight and employed about 3,250 staff. The association sees itself as a voice for the industry vis-à-vis ministries, authorities and organizations and promotes the exchange of experience within the sector.
