Cargo tonnage through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has continued its positive trend for the third quarter of 2014, up 6.7% on the same period of 2013, and 8.1% for the year to date. Every month of 2014 to date has exceeded 2013 figures. The third quarter was the strongest in 2014 so far, and also the best for 4 years - at a total of 409,382 tonnes. It brought the total of cargo handled through Schiphol to 1,211,082 for the year to date. July showed the second best growth in 2014, up 9.7% on 2013 at 136,550 tonnes. August and September saw slower growth, at 6.2% and 4.2% respectively. Regional rankings in the third quarter remained unchanged, although the underlying share of business shifted slightly. Asia held its traditional top spot at 40.5% of all traffic, against a year-to-date share of 38.9%. North America retained second place with 18.9% (18.3% for the year to date). The Middle East took third place with 11.9% share (12.8% for the year to date). Latin America represented 9.6% in quarter 3 (9.9% for the year to date). Europe meanwhile accounted for 9.4% (9.5% for the year as a whole). Imports in the third quarter accounted for 51% of all traffic, and exports 49% - unchanged from the picture for the year as a whole. Freighter movements in Q3 totalled 4,158, up 7.1% on the same quarter last year. The year-to-date total of 12,264 was also up 7.1% on 2013. Says Schiphol Cargo Senior VP Enno Osinga: “Process optimisation remains top of our agenda, and e-Link shipments through Schiphol now account for 40% of the total. “Meanwhile, new initiatives and investments such as our Joint Inspection Centre for Customs (opening in 2016) will continue to drive streamlined processes, and enhance customer experience at Schiphol. This should attract more flights, operators and cargo – and so enable us to continue outperforming the market.”