Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – June 18, 2025
Welcome to today’s briefing, your concise update on the latest developments shaping the airfreight and aviation logistics sector. From fleet expansions and technology innovations to geopolitical tensions affecting routes, here’s what logistics professionals need to know today.
ANA Unveils Innovative Business Class for Boeing 787-9
Japanese carrier ANA All Nippon Airways has introduced its new “THE Room FX” business-class seats for the Boeing 787-9 at the Paris Airshow. Featuring a distinctive yin-yang style arrangement with alternating forward- and rear-facing seats, these suites are designed to enhance passenger privacy and comfort. The seats will roll out on international long-haul flights starting 2026. This move continues ANA’s commitment to elevate the flying experience, building on the success of the “THE Room” business class on its 777-300ER fleet. Industry reports highlight the forward-thinking design emphasizing space and direct aisle access in a fully enclosed suite format.
EasyJet Accelerates Expansion with New Routes and Aircraft Deployments
Low-cost carrier EasyJet is further boosting capacity in Central Europe. The airline is adding six new seasonal routes from Vienna—including five from the capital and one from Innsbruck—starting this winter season 2025/26. Concurrently, EasyJet is stationing two Airbus A321 Neo aircraft at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, replacing older A320s and increasing seat capacity by approximately 26%. These aircraft will primarily serve popular sun destinations and will enable the launch of new routes from both Berlin and Munich. The strategy underlines EasyJet’s focus on network growth and fleet modernization to meet rising passenger demand.
VietJet Orders Massive Airbus A321neo Fleet Expansion Amid Boeing Rift
Vietnam’s VietJet announced a significant intent to order up to 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, supplementing a sizable existing backlog. This commitment, formalized during the Paris Airshow, includes 100 firm orders and 50 options. The aggressive order reflects VietJet’s expansion ambitions and fleet renewal plans, signaling a preference for Airbus over Boeing amid reportedly strained relations with the US manufacturer. The airline is positioning itself as a dominant player in the fast-growing Southeast Asian market by aligning with Airbus’s single-aisle bestsellers.
Leadership Change at Deutsche Aircraft
Nico Neumann is set to become sole CEO of Deutsche Aircraft next month. The leadership transition follows a period of preparation and is expected to steer the company through a pivotal year ahead. Deutsche Aircraft specializes in modern regional turboprops and is aiming to strengthen its position in the regional aircraft sector.
Air India and Boeing Engage Following 787 Crash Investigation
Amid the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, met with Air India’s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran to discuss the accident investigation. The talks aim to clarify causes and support remedial measures, reflecting the high-profile scrutiny of the aircraft type and the importance of manufacturer-airline collaboration in safety and reputation management.
Norwegian Bolsters Boeing 737 Max Fleet with New Engine Order
Norwegian has secured a deal for 11 Leap-1B replacement engines from CFM International, intended to support its growing Boeing 737 Max fleet. Deliveries are planned for 2027 and 2028, underscoring Norwegian’s commitment to maintaining fleet reliability and operational readiness amid evolving market conditions.
Geopolitical and Infrastructure Developments Impacting Air Logistics
The flare-up of the Middle East conflict is leading to notable operational disruptions: Wizz Air has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv and Amman until mid-September and is avoiding flight paths over Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The German Foreign Office is organizing evacuation flights for German nationals from Israel via Jordan, though travelers must handle their own transfers. Such regional instability continues to influence air cargo and passenger routing decisions.
Meanwhile, Mexico is committing significant investments into logistics infrastructure to overcome longstanding bottlenecks across transport modes. The government’s ambition is to elevate Mexico into the top ten global economies, signaling fresh opportunities and potential supply chain efficiencies in North America.
Additional Industry Insights
- Boeing Facility in Kyiv Severely Damaged: A Boeing-operated building in Kyiv was heavily hit during recent Russian airstrikes, confirming ongoing geopolitical risks to aviation infrastructure in conflict zones.
- Airport Hahn Expands Summer Network: The German regional airport is adding 12 new routes to destinations in Croatia, Italy, and beyond, aiming to capture more leisure travelers.
- ZeroAvia Receives UK Funding for Liquid Hydrogen Tech: Innovation in green aviation continues as ZeroAvia secures £10.8 million for hydrogen propulsion system testing on a Dornier 228 aircraft.
- Airline Veteran Pieter Elbers Accelerates Growth at IndiGo: Under former KLM CEO Elbers, IndiGo is rapidly expanding its footprint, with ambitions to become a prominent global player from its Indian base.
- Corendon Airlines Reflects on 20 Years of Navigating Aviation Challenges: CEO Yildiray Karaer shares insights into sustaining operations amid regional crises and diversifying markets, including flights to India.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our YouTube video providing deeper analysis on some of these developments. As always, thank you for reading Airfreight Insider — your trusted source for air logistics intelligence.