Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – June 19, 2025
Welcome to today’s Daily Briefing, your essential update on the latest trends and developments in the air cargo and aviation sectors. From operational ups and downs to strategic partnerships and safety alerts, here’s what logistics professionals need to know.
Air India Struggles After Tragic Crash – Cargo Capacity Tightens
Air India is facing a challenging period following the recent crash of flight AI171 near Ahmedabad. The airline reports intensive technical inspections of its Boeing 787 fleet, which have led to the cancellation of 83 international flights in recent days, including two routes to Amsterdam Schiphol. As a preventive measure, Air India has reduced its long-haul schedule significantly, resulting in a tightening of cargo capacity out of India.
This reduction threatens to increase air freight rates and disrupt export flows, particularly impacting perishables and other time-critical goods. Additionally, India has sent the crash’s black box to the United States for detailed analysis, emphasizing the seriousness of ongoing investigations. Like The Loadstar and Luchtvaartnieuws report, these operational shifts highlight a complex recovery process for Air India and its cargo partners.
Ram Air Turbine in Focus: How Aircraft Maintain Power After Total Engine Failure
In light of the Air India crash, aviation experts spotlight the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system — an emergency backup that deploys automatically during total engine or electrical failures. Notably, the Boeing 787’s RAT can supply both hydraulic and electrical power, a unique feature critical to flight safety.
Our partners at Airliners.de provide detailed technical insights and video explanations on how RAT systems convert airstream into emergency energy, keeping vital systems running when disaster strikes.
Safety Warnings for CFM Leap-1B Engines on Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320 Neo
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations concerning CFM Leap-1B engines, which power both Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320 Neo aircraft. Following two 2023 incidents involving bird strikes that caused smoke to enter the cockpit and cabin, the advisory calls for enhanced pilot training focused on little-known emergency procedures embedded in the engines.
The warnings underscore the importance of operational vigilance for operators and maintenance teams, particularly as these aircraft types dominate short- to medium-haul routes globally.
Infrastructure and Partnership Moves Boost European Air Cargo Hub Potential
Several key developments point to strengthening air cargo infrastructure and collaboration in Europe:
- US real estate developer Realterm announced plans with Leipzig/Halle Airport to build a new airfreight logistics center offering up to 45,000 square meters of warehouse space for multiple users. This project could enhance capacity and flexibility in central Europe’s freight corridor.
- Munich Airport and CHI Cargo Group have combined their cargo operations in a joint venture named Cargogate, with CHI holding 74.9% ownership, while Munich Airport retains 25.1%. This consolidation aims to streamline processes and expand the hub’s competitiveness.
New Routes, Fleet Expansion, and Codeshare Agreements
Network expansions and partnerships continue to reshape the landscape:
- Ryanair extends its winter schedule from Lübeck to London-Stansted, maintaining the route alongside its services to Palma de Mallorca and Málaga, catering to growing demand for northern German connections.
- Skytrans adds a second Airbus A319 to its fleet, supporting its regional growth strategy.
- Lufthansa and ITA Airways will launch new codeshare routes to Brazil from July 2025, connecting Frankfurt with Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. This strategic alliance enhances transatlantic options for passengers and freight alike.
Air Cargo Highlights: Perishables, Alliances, and Awards
- Mumbai Airport’s mango exports rose 9% in April-May 2025, totaling 3,624 metric tonnes, underscoring the airport’s vital role in perishable goods logistics.
- Saudia Cargo strengthens its global network with new partnerships signed at Air Cargo Europe in Munich, including agreements with Scan Global Logistics and Air Logistics Europe, signaling its intent to deepen logistics cooperation and market reach.
- Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best Airline again at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025, winning the honor for a record ninth time and reinforcing its leadership position in global aviation.
Market Snapshot: Passenger Growth and Extraordinary Operations
Although Schiphol Airport saw a modest 2% passenger increase in May compared to last year, it still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, highlighting ongoing recovery challenges. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have complicated air travel, as shown by a special evacuation flight that transported German citizens from Jordan to Frankfurt after flights from Israel were suspended.
What to Watch
- Progress in Air India’s investigation and its effects on international cargo flows
- Implementation of NTSB’s safety recommendations regarding Leap engines
- Developments in European air cargo infrastructure partnerships
- Expansion of airline route networks amid persistent geopolitical and operational uncertainties
Stay tuned for our daily video update on these stories and more.
Your Airfreight Insider editorial team