Daily Briefing – June 27, 2025
Welcome to today’s airfreightinsider.com Daily Briefing, your trusted source for key updates and trends shaping the global air cargo and aviation sectors. Here’s what logistics professionals need to know right now.
Airport Operations & Capacity Challenges
Skyguide criticizes Air Baltic for runway usage causing delays at Zurich Airport. The Swiss air navigation service provider blames Air Baltic for capacity bottlenecks by using Zurich’s longest runway for both small and large aircraft to cut costs. This practice reportedly causes delayed departures for long-haul flights, creating ripple effects across the airport’s schedule.
Meanwhile, Phuket Airport ramps up security measures after several explosive devices were discovered on Thailand’s popular tourist island. Passengers are now advised to allow significantly more time for security checks amid ongoing investigations.
At Schiphol Airport, consumer watchdogs pushed for transparency prompting airport retailers to revise misleading pricing labels on perfumes, after travelers complained about inconsistent “local price” claims.
Sustainability & Innovation in Aviation
From Berlin, expert Dr. Tolga Ülkü shares insights from the recent Aireg SAF Conference, highlighting major technological progress in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The sector stands at a tipping point with demonstrable advances, but mass production is still throttled by high investment costs and the lack of firm purchase commitments. Discussions also addressed the often-overlooked impact of non-CO2 effects in the aviation emission footprint.
On the innovation front, Wingcopter has closed an additional financing round and enhanced its executive team to accelerate the transition toward mass production of drone delivery systems, signaling growing momentum for unmanned cargo solutions.
Airlines & Network Developments
On the route expansion side, Ryanair is set to launch two new services from Göteborg Landvetter to Porto and Malta starting late October, tapping into leisure travel demand in southern Europe.
At the same time, Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY is retrenching, discontinuing scheduled services at Schiphol Airport by the end of October to focus more on charter operations.
Following political and labor criticism, Transavia has announced the termination of its controversial peak-and-off-peak staffing contracts, aiming to improve crew working conditions.
TUI Airlines will strengthen its winter schedule with new direct flights from Düsseldorf to Sweden’s largest ski resort and the popular Sharm El Sheikh destination, reflecting diversified leisure market strategies.
Security, Regulation, and Industry Governance
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has reaffirmed concerns about the move toward single-pilot operations in commercial aircraft. After extensive debates, pilot unions welcomed the decision that solo cockpit operation is currently deemed too risky without further technological safeguards.
In Asia, China’s aviation regulator now bans power banks lacking Chinese safety certification from flights after multiple incidents involving overheating lithium batteries. This affects certain device models and underscores growing regulatory scrutiny on air transport of portable electronics.
India rejected the United Nations’ ICAO proposal to send independent investigators to analyze the recent Air-India crash, sparking criticism from aviation safety experts over delays in flight data recorder analyses. The case continues to cast a spotlight on transparency and international cooperation in aviation accident investigations.
Industry Headlines & Corporate Moves
- American Airlines invests in new luxury facilities in Miami, planning a flagship lounge expansion at MIA alongside an upgraded Admirals Club network.
- Air Hong Kong has completed its fleet renewal by phasing out older A300 freighters in favor of an all-A330F fleet, a strategic partnership move closely aligned with DHL Express.
- Hawaiian Airlines disclosed a cyber attack on some IT systems but assures operations and flight safety remain unaffected while investigations proceed.
- Heathrow Airport raised its revenue forecast for 2025 but also cautioned about expected operational cost increases amid inflationary pressures.
- A Spanish court temporarily suspended multimillion-euro fines imposed on Ryanair and Norwegian for controversial ancillary fee practices, affording reprieve as legal processes continue.
- In Belgium, technical failures with a chartered Airbus A340 caused severe delays during the royal visit to Chile, marking a setback for diplomatic endeavors hinging on reliable air transport.
- On the political front, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President joined Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr on a Brussels trip to engage with EU officials, aiming to influence ongoing trade and regulatory discussions.
Outlook & Travel Season Update
As summer holidays kick off in German states including Saxony and Thuringia, airports brace for increased passenger volumes, signaling peak season strain on ground services and air traffic networks.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s updates where we will continue to track evolving aviation trends and airfreight developments globally.
Your airfreightinsider.com editorial team