Frankfurt Airport assured its cargo infrastructure is in full swing to maintain the supply chain amid the rapid spread of the coronavirus which has far-reaching implications for the global economy.

In a statement, Frankfurt Airport said transport of goods – especially airfreight – must be ensured especially at this critical time. 

"Frankfurt Airport, Europe’s leading air cargo hub, is still providing its cargo infrastructure in full as a way of preserving key supply chains, with empty passenger aircraft increasingly being used for this purpose," the airport said in a statement.

It noted that around 40% of freight was flown as additional cargo on passenger aircraft last year and  this decrease in passenger flights also means declining key air crago capacity.

In light of this, demand for cargo capacity is currently extremely high.

“Together with all players in the airfreight industry, we are doing our best to make up for a loss in capacities and routes. Our goal is to ensure supply, in particular by stepping up dedicated freight services,” said Max Philipp Conrady, head of freight development and freight management at Fraport AG.

With the drop in passenger flights, the airport is already seeing a rise in freight flights to North America, south-east Asia and China.

Frankfurt Airport said this figure is expected to increase further.

"Frankfurt Airport is well prepared as it provides the best possible conditions," it said, noting as an example the world’s biggest pharma handling facilities covering 12,000 m2 temperature-controlled handling and storage areas at the airport.