Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – July 12, 2025
Welcome to your daily snapshot of the airfreight and aviation sectors. Today’s briefing covers operational disruptions, strategic partnerships, corporate shifts, and infrastructure expansions shaping the industry. Here’s what you need to know.
Severe Weather Impacts Operations and Safety Concerns
Early last week, an Airbus A321 Neo operated by the Icelandic airline Play for Sky Up was hit by a severe hailstorm shortly after departure from Rzeszów en route to Sharm el-Sheikh. The storm caused damage to the aircraft’s radome, underscoring growing operational risks from extreme weather events affecting flight safety and maintenance.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the venerable Antonov An-2 biplane has been involved in no fewer than five incidents in just five days. Two notable events occurred on July 10, including an emergency landing after engine trouble in Yakutia and a runway excursion in Kamchatka. These frequent mishaps with legacy aircraft raise fresh questions about operating older fleets in challenging environments.
Expansion of Cargo Networks and Supply Chain Adaptation
Amazon Air Cargo continues to grow its international footprint with a new transpacific interline cargo agreement that extends its capacity into the US market. This move aims to attract more freight forwarder volumes amid intensifying competition and evolving global trade flows.
Conversely, Korean Air reported a 4% drop in cargo revenues in Q2, attributing the decline primarily to volatility created by US tariff policies. Despite such headwinds, Flexjet remains committed to a massive Embraer order valued at up to $7 billion, despite announced 50% US tariffs on Brazilian imports, signaling confidence in long-term market prospects.
Airlines and Airports: Strategic Moves and Service Enhancements
On the corporate front, Air France-KLM will see the departure of Chief Commercial Officer Angus Clarke by end of August, as he pursues new opportunities outside the group. Meanwhile, Air France and KLM have become the first European carriers to adopt the EU’s new emission labelling scheme, enhancing transparency around CO2 emissions and simplifying environmental comparisons between airlines.
Looking ahead to winter schedules, KLM plans to deploy Airbus A321neos twice daily to Dublin starting late October, with additional services to Birmingham and Lyon, reflecting continuing fleet modernization efforts.
In the passenger domain, Norwegian Airlines reported a record operating profit for Q2 and declared a dividend for the first time in its history, signaling a strong post-pandemic recovery despite lingering delivery delays.
Infrastructure and Training: Preparing for Growth
London Heathrow unveiled ambitious plans to accommodate 10 million additional passengers annually by 2031, backed by a £10 billion (approx. €12 billion) privately financed investment. Enhancements will focus on terminal refurbishments, expanded lounges, retail spaces, and modernized cargo facilities, contingent on securing regulatory approvals.
Closer to home, Munich Airport Academy and the University of Colorado Denver have formalized a partnership to jointly deliver specialized aviation management training, including a new Executive MBA in Aviation launching in 2026. This collaboration highlights the growing emphasis on advanced education to meet evolving industry demands.
Meanwhile, Schiphol Airport will face reduced road accessibility for six weeks starting Friday night due to major highway maintenance on the A4, affecting travelers primarily from South Holland. Authorities urge passengers to consider alternative transport modes where possible.
Regional Highlights and Miscellaneous Updates
- Colombia’s aviation regulator granted full certification to the Italian Tecnam P2012 Traveller, enabling commercial operations alongside local partner Transair Leasing.
- Christian Bärwind returns to TUI Deutschland as head of Marketing and Sales for the DACH region after a stint at Google, signifying renewed focus on strategic growth in tourism logistics.
- Flughafen Paderborn/Lippstadt anticipates handling up to 140,000 passengers during NRW summer holidays, with Antalya and Palma de Mallorca as the most popular destinations.
- Due to a major wildfire on Sardinia, three flights from Germany were rerouted, including two from Munich and one from Berlin, reflecting how environmental events continue to affect flight routing.
- Russia’s Ilyushin is planning the delivery of its turboprop Il-114-300 starting 2026, with upgrades aimed at increasing range by nearly one third through weight reduction.
- Market data revealed a slight decline in overnight stays across German accommodation providers in May, down 2.6% year-on-year, potentially a cautious sign for travel demand trends.
Innovation Spotlight: Blended Wing Body Design
The startup Jetzero is working to revolutionize commercial aviation with its “Blended Wing Body” concept, which merges wings and fuselage into a single lift-generating structure. Promising up to 50% reductions in fuel consumption without requiring new engines, this design could reshape sustainable aviation’s future.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our YouTube video providing deeper analysis on these topics. Until tomorrow, safe skies and efficient cargo flows!