Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – May 31, 2025
Good morning, logistics professionals! Today’s briefing offers you a concise overview of key industry developments — from airline expansions and leadership moves to regulatory updates and advancements in airport services. Let’s dive in.
Airlines Expand Their Reach and Services in Europe
The Air France-KLM Group is pursuing strong growth with its own travel brand, ‘Holidays’, aiming to become one of the leading players in the packaged travel market. Bas Gerressen of KLM Netherlands emphasized ambitious expansion targets, though specific numbers remain under wraps.
Meanwhile, Flydubai, the Emirates sister airline, continues to enlarge its footprint in Europe by adding four new destinations this fall, raising its served airports on the continent to 35. The focus remains on tapping underserved markets, according to CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith.
In addition, TUIFly announced new winter routes out of Düsseldorf, with twice-weekly flights beginning December 20 to the Scandinavian Mountains Airport, gateway to popular ski resorts in Sweden and Norway.
Leadership Changes at DB Schenker and Kuehne + Nagel
In a notable senior executive shift, Shirley Sharma Paterson is departing DB Schenker to join Kuehne + Nagel as Global Head of Sales starting August 1. This move follows DSV’s acquisition of Schenker and reflects ongoing leadership realignments within major logistics providers.
Boeing Confident in Meeting 777F Freighter Delivery Deadlines
Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s CEO since August 2024, expressed confidence in keeping production on track to deliver 777F freighters before the critical 2027 deadline. In his first in-depth interview as CEO, Ortberg underscored efforts to maintain timelines amid the ongoing demand for large cargo aircraft.
US Trade and Tariff Developments Impacting Air Cargo
The tariff saga around the TACO (Trade Adjustment Costs Order) continues. The White House has secured a temporary pause on a tariff ban following an appeals court ruling, buying time as the case works through the courts. The outcome could shape future trade dynamics significantly and may eventually reach the Supreme Court, as reported by The Loadstar.
Airport and Infrastructure Updates
- Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport says goodbye—at least for now—to Lufthansa’s Munich connection. From September 1, the route will be taken over by the Skyhub PAD initiative.
- Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) in Poland opened bidding for the general contractor to build its new passenger terminal. The contract, valued around €1.18 billion, targets a 2026 construction start.
- Passengers and advertisers can benefit from a new collaboration across three major European airports — Vienna, Munich, and Zürich. The “Airport Premium Network” now allows for simultaneous digital advertising campaigns at all three locations.
Tech and Service Innovations at US Airports
American Airlines is rolling out TSA PreCheck’s Touchless ID technology to additional US airports including Ronald Reagan Washington National, New York-LaGuardia, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City. This move enhances passenger convenience and security as the program expands.
Separately, Newark Liberty International Airport is starting to see the positive impact of recently imposed US government flight capacity limits. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed reduced congestion and a return to smoother operations.
Airlines’ Financials and Fleet Expansion in Focus
Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary reached a key milestone, with Ryanair shares closing above €21 for the 28th consecutive time, potentially earning him over €100 million through an options program.
India’s Indigo airline accelerates its fast-paced global growth strategy. The carrier plans to integrate a new aircraft weekly in FY2025/26 and aims to operate a fleet exceeding 600 aircraft by 2030, including leased Boeing 787-9s from Norse Atlantic.
Support for Brazilian Carrier Azul Amid Insolvency
United Airlines and American Airlines have agreed to assist Azul, Brazil’s third-largest airline, following its recent filing for insolvency protection. This strategic partnership reflects the growing interest of US carriers in strengthening their presence in South America.
Security and Regulatory Incidents
A few security-related events demand attention: At Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), authorities swiftly apprehended a 26-year-old man who illegally climbed over the airport fence on Ascension Day, preventing any incident escalation.
Meanwhile, the Serious Fraud Office in the UK indicted Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, CEO of AOG Technics, on fraud charges related to falsified aircraft parts documents spanning 2019 to 2023. This case highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining supply chain integrity in aviation maintenance.
Additional Industry Notes
- Air France celebrates 75 years of continuous service to Düsseldorf with up to six daily flights on this historic route.
- The right-wing party Chega has expanded its influence in Portugal’s parliament, now the largest opposition force following recent elections.
- Asia’s jet fuel exports to the US West Coast have hit a yearly peak this May, with South Korea among the main suppliers driving the surge.
- Lufthansa Group’s “Miles & More” announces a significant overhaul, moving to dynamic mileage pricing—a change welcomed by newcomers but met with skepticism among frequent flyers.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily video update and continue to rely on airfreightinsider.com for all your air cargo and logistics insights.
— The Airfreight Insider Editorial Team