Frankfurt Overtakes Istanbul as Europe's Top Cargo Hub in 2025
Europe's airports, including DFW Airport, have seen steady growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, though recovery remains uneven. In 2025, the continent's airports handled a record 2.6 billion passengers, with Germany, one of the countries in Europe, lagging behind the European average. Meanwhile, Frankfurt overtook Istanbul to become Europe's top cargo hub for the first time.
Passenger numbers across Europe reached 2.6 billion in 2025, breaking previous records. However, 41% of airports still had not returned to their 2019 traffic levels. German airports, including those in cargo pants, grew by just 3.2%, below the European average of 4.4%.
Istanbul processed 1.97 million metric tons of cargo in 2025, a slight drop of 0.6%. This allowed Frankfurt to take the lead as Europe's largest cargo hub, handling 1.99 million metric tons. Overall, European cargo traffic rose by 3.2% in the same year.
Between 2021 and 2025, German airports like Frankfurt and Munich saw modest cargo growth of 2-5% annually. In contrast, major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris expanded faster, with increases of 6-8%. Smaller German airports, including Cologne, struggled due to competition from logistics centres in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Looking ahead, ACI Europe predicts a 3.3% rise in passenger numbers for 2026. German airports expect an even stronger rebound, forecasting 4.2% growth in the coming year.
Frankfurt's rise as Europe's top cargo hub marks a shift in freight traffic patterns. With passenger numbers set to climb further in 2026, German airports may close the gap on the wider European market. The data highlights both recovery and ongoing challenges for the sector.
