Top 10 Best Air Cargo Companies in South Holland

Air Cargo and the South Holland Economy

While South Holland is best known for sea freight through the Port of Rotterdam, air cargo plays an equally important role for time-sensitive and high-value goods. The Westland greenhouse region and the flower auction at Naaldwijk ship fresh flowers and plants worldwide, life sciences companies in Leiden rely on temperature-controlled transport, and high-tech firms around Delft and Rotterdam need rapid delivery of components.

Most air cargo for the province moves through Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe's largest cargo airports, which is connected to South Holland by road feeder services and excellent highways. Rotterdam The Hague Airport supports smaller express and business aviation needs.

What to Look for in an Air Cargo Provider

Consider network reach, capacity, transit times, handling of specialised cargo such as pharmaceuticals and perishables, digital booking and tracking, and sustainability commitments such as sustainable aviation fuel programmes.

The Top 10 Air Cargo Companies for South Holland

1. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is the dominant cargo carrier at Schiphol, combining freighter and passenger aircraft capacity. It is a key partner for the Dutch flower sector and offers specialised pharmaceutical and perishable solutions.

2. Cargolux

Cargolux is Europe's largest all-cargo airline, operating a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters. It serves Schiphol and offers extensive global coverage for heavy and oversized shipments.

3. Lufthansa Cargo

Lufthansa Cargo connects the Netherlands to its Frankfurt hub and global network. It is known for strong capabilities in pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods and time-critical shipments.

4. Emirates SkyCargo

Emirates SkyCargo offers freighter and belly capacity via Dubai, connecting South Holland exporters with markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia. Its fresh product solutions are popular with flower exporters.

5. Qatar Airways Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo is one of the world's largest cargo airlines, offering a broad network through Doha. It is recognised for pharmaceutical handling and live animal transport expertise.

6. Turkish Cargo

Turkish Cargo has rapidly grown into a leading global cargo carrier, with extensive connections via Istanbul. It offers competitive capacity for exporters in the Netherlands.

7. Cathay Cargo

Cathay Cargo connects Europe with Hong Kong and wider Asia. Its reliable services support high-tech and e-commerce flows between South Holland and Asian markets.

8. DHL Express

DHL Express is a global leader in international express delivery, with a strong network across the Netherlands. It provides fast door-to-door service for documents, samples and urgent parts.

9. FedEx

FedEx operates a major European hub and extensive express services in the Netherlands. Businesses in South Holland rely on it for time-definite international shipping.

10. UPS

UPS offers express, air freight and supply chain solutions, with strong healthcare logistics capabilities. Its network supports businesses of all sizes across the province.

Air Cargo Trends

E-commerce growth continues to drive demand for express air freight, while pharmaceutical and life sciences shipments require increasingly sophisticated cold chain solutions. Sustainability is a major focus, with airlines investing in fuel-efficient freighters and offering sustainable aviation fuel programmes to customers. Digital booking platforms have made air cargo capacity easier to compare and reserve, while restrictions on night flights and airport capacity at Schiphol influence network planning.

Benefits of Air Freight for South Holland Businesses

Air cargo enables exporters to reach distant markets within days, preserving the freshness of flowers and food and the integrity of sensitive products. For high-value goods, faster transit reduces inventory costs and supports just-in-time manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do South Holland businesses use Schiphol for air cargo?

Schiphol offers a vast network of freighter and passenger flights with belly capacity, specialised handling facilities for perishables and pharmaceuticals, and fast road connections to Rotterdam, The Hague and the Westland region. For most exporters, trucking goods to Schiphol is quicker and cheaper than using a more distant hub.

How are flowers kept fresh during air transport?

Flowers are pre-cooled after auction, packed in temperature-controlled conditions and moved quickly to the airport. Carriers and handlers provide cooled storage and prioritised loading, so the cold chain remains intact until arrival.

What is the difference between express and general air cargo?

Express services provide door-to-door delivery with fixed transit times and full tracking, ideal for documents, samples and urgent parts. General air cargo handles larger shipments, usually airport-to-airport, and is booked through freight forwarders at lower cost per kilogram.

How is pharmaceutical cargo handled?

Pharmaceuticals require validated cold chain processes, temperature-controlled containers and certified handling. Many airlines and handlers hold industry certifications that confirm their ability to manage sensitive healthcare shipments.

Can air freight be sustainable?

Airlines are modernising fleets and offering sustainable aviation fuel programmes, and shippers can reduce impact by consolidating shipments and using air only for truly time-critical goods.

Conclusion

South Holland's exporters depend on strong air cargo connections for flowers, pharmaceuticals, electronics and urgent shipments. These ten air cargo companies provide the capacity, expertise and global reach needed to keep the province's high-value industries competitive.