D'sseldorf started the year well with a 10% January and February increase over 2010. The upwards trend clearly reflects the return to health of the German economy, but the convenience and position of D'sseldorf plays an important role. Air China starts its 3x per week schedule from March 27th, operating an A330-300 with around 16 tonnes belly capacity, an important addition of capacity. The summer schedules will also mean extra flights from carriers such as Air Berlin. Road feeder traffic is also rising.

D'sseldorf performs as the transport hub for Germany's biggest industrial region and serves, within 100km, a commercial market containing 18 million people. The airport's strength lies in the large number of international passenger flight connections, especially the newer wide bodied aircraft which carry around 90% of D'sseldorf's air cargo, although full main deck freighters are handled frequently. 170 passenger destinations are regularly served by over 60 scheduled carriers with some 550 flights per day. New destinations and greater frequencies and bigger aircraft are making this a logical and cost efficient exit point for exporters from the North and Central regions of Germany. Some 2.5 to 2.8 of Germany's export air freight consists of finished articles urgently needed around the world.

The freight forwarders based at D'sseldorf are able to take advantage of the convenience of moving cargo locally rather than trucking long distances to alternative airports.

Claus Wegener, Branch Manager of Dachser Air and Sea Logistics in Dusseldorf, comments. 'It is good to be able to move freight quickly through D'sseldorf's extensive route structure, but as more long haul routes are added, it will become even more important. For example the addition of Air China starting three connections per week, opens up a vital channel. Furthermore, the team at DUS cargo Logistics is very professional and responsive getting things done with minimum bureaucracy. I think that the next year should hold to a steady growth.

In addition to the forwarders feeding cargo into the airport, the GSAs based at D'sseldorf appreciate the convenience offered. Jens Strenger is Cargo Sales Manager North and West Germany for Globe Air Cargo, part of European Cargo Services one of the industry's leading GSSA groups. 'Cargo GSSAs are now taking an even greater role in the entire cargo process whilst before it was mostly simply a sales function. Our company is involved at all levels and Germany is one of our most important markets with a great deal of competition. We represent around 15 carriers here including Flybe, El AL, Gulf Air, Ukraine and Delta. We are delighted that Delta chose Globe Air and I can confirm that all outbound flights are full.