Liege Airport and Viracopos partner to boost cargo flights between Europe and Brazil

Liege Airport and Viracopos International Airport have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cargo flight connections between Belgium and Brazil, targeting a surge in freighter services and market share in sectors including pharmaceuticals, technology, and e-commerce.

The agreement aims to foster commercial opportunities through joint customer targeting, market intelligence, and coordinated promotional activities, according to representatives from both airports. Frederic Brun, vice president for sales and marketing at Liege Airport, and Maria Fan, chief commercial officer at Viracopos, are leading the initiative.

The move comes as Viracopos reported a 43% increase in the value of pharmaceutical imports in 2026, underlining the airport’s growing role as a logistics hub for high-value goods. Viracopos now accounts for 45% of Brazil’s airborne high-tech imports and has expanded with 20,000 sq m of new warehouse space to manage rising demand.

The partnership is expected to appeal to airlines and forwarders seeking to capitalise on Brazil’s expanding pharmaceutical and technology markets. Both airports will coordinate to attract new cargo routes, leveraging Brazil’s REData tax regime to stimulate investment and improve the ease of doing business.

However, the success of the collaboration will depend on sustained engagement with airlines and the ability to overcome potential challenges in establishing new cargo corridors. The MoU signals a proactive response to rising demand for specialised logistics and positions both airports as key gateways for Europe–Latin America trade.