Lyon Saint Exupery Airport has experienced its fifth consecutive year of double-digit freight growth transporting 59,407 tonnes due to extra capacity on freighters and passenger aircraft.

Freight grew 11.8 per cent compared to 2015 helped by Air Algerie starting weekly cargo flights in November and freighter operations by Emirates.

Express freight increased 12 per cent energised by strong results by major operators, a new route by TNT and additional flights by DHL and UPS.

Long haul flights to locations including Montreal, Moscow and Dubai increased cargo capacity further.

Operator Aeroports de Lyon says every served continent saw strong growth from increased capabilities on existing lines and 20 new destinations such as Moscow, operated by Aeroflot and Montreal by Air Canada.