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In the first quarter of 2026, the member companies of the Association of Air Cargo Handlers in Germany (VACAD) handled a total of 443,364 tons of air freight. This represents an increase of 4.53% compared to the same period of the previous year, despite the negative impacts of the Iran war, which particularly led to a decline in cargo volumes in March. However, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, there is a recorded decrease in the tonnage handled of 10.8%, which is considered normal due to seasonal factors.
Decline in employment figures
The employment figures in the industry, on the other hand, show a negative trend. In the first quarter of 2026, there were 3,144 employees working in the companies, representing a decrease of 3% compared to the previous quarter (3,241) and a decrease of 3.2% year-on-year (3,248). This development highlights the ongoing issue of staff shortages, which is seen as a serious threat to the future growth of the cargo industry.
VACAD Chairman Claus Wagner commented on the challenges in recruitment: “Attracting personnel remains one of the biggest challenges for air freight handlers. A significant reason for the difficulty in finding suitable employees is the existing political framework, which, for example, leads to very long waiting times for security checks.” However, he pointed to positive political signals indicating that a solution is being worked on. Wagner emphasized that improvements in this area would be of great importance for member companies willing to hire more workers.
