Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – July 21, 2025
Welcome to your comprehensive update on today’s most important developments shaping the air cargo and aviation industries worldwide. From geopolitical tensions and regulatory disputes to fleet expansions and operational insights – here’s what logistics professionals need to know.
Geopolitical Tensions and Airspace Disputes
The geopolitical landscape continues to create friction in the aviation sector. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has publicly demanded that Russia formally recognize the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane last December, calling for accountability and compensation. This incident further strains the already fragile relations between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the US-Mexico air traffic dispute escalates as the United States announced enforcement actions against Mexico following the forced relocation and cancellation of American cargo flight slots. US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy accused Mexico of violating the 2015 Air Transport Agreement and warned of stronger retaliatory measures if the issue remains unresolved. The tensions highlight the increasing politicization of strategic airspace access affecting cargo operations.
Airline Industry Moves and Fleet Developments
Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its aviation footprint with plans to launch a new low-cost carrier backed by a consortium led by Air Arabia, KUN Investment Holding, and Nesma. The airline aims to operate a fleet of 45 aircraft by 2030, reflecting robust growth ambitions in the Gulf region’s aviation market.
In Europe, CMA CGM Air Cargo has taken delivery of a brand-new Boeing 777 freighter (F-HMRO), reinforcing its commitment to expanding air cargo capacities amid growing logistics demand. For the Asian market, Chinese Loong Air has signed leases for six Airbus A321 Neo aircraft, expected to join its fleet by 2027, signaling a strategic upgrade in their short- and medium-haul operations.
On the operational front, Malta’s national carrier KM Malta Airlines has assured passengers that all flights will maintain schedules despite planned pilot protests, with only potential minor delays expected.
Safety, Incidents, and Investigations
Safety concerns remain paramount as multiple incidents draw attention. An Air India Airbus A320 Neo skidded off the runway during heavy rain in Mumbai, causing damage to the aircraft and runway infrastructure but no reported casualties. In Bangladesh, a military aircraft crashed near a school in Dhaka, raising serious safety questions amid unclear casualty reports.
Investigations into recent accidents bring critical findings: The crew of Jeju Air was found to have shut down the wrong engine after a bird strike, contributing to a fatal crash. These revelations have met resistance from victims’ families ahead of the publication of the report. Meanwhile, US NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy criticized premature and speculative media coverage surrounding the Air India Boeing 787 crash, urging caution and patience for official investigation results.
A near-miss incident occurred over North Dakota when an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest had to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid a large military bomber, underscoring ongoing challenges in civil-military airspace coordination.
Air Cargo and Logistics Hub Developments
On the logistics side, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has officially launched a regional vaccine distribution hub at KEZAD, operated by Rafed (PureHealth subsidiary), marking a significant advancement for healthcare supply chains in the Middle East. The first shipments have arrived, positioning Abu Dhabi as a key distribution center.
Aviation Market and Operational Insights
US airline Alaska Airlines resumed flight operations after resolving a significant IT system outage that had grounded its entire schedule for hours, highlighting the critical dependency of modern aviation on IT infrastructure.
In Frankfurt, severe thunderstorms triggered 44 exemptions from the city’s strict night flight ban, demonstrating how weather events continuously test airport operational limits and noise regulations.
Also of note, the so-called “McDonald’s airplane,” an Airbus A320 operated by LEAV Aviation and painted in the fast food giant’s livery, was spotted operating flights for TUI fly out of Amsterdam Schiphol, showing creative marketing partnerships within commercial aviation.
Trade and Market Outlook
Trade tensions remain unresolved as the US and other major economies struggle to advance new trade agreements with nations like Vietnam and Indonesia. The continuing lack of executive actions on deal announcements indicates prolonged negotiations, potentially impacting global trade flows and air cargo demand. The “OceanX Radar” analysis dubs the current trade war environment as “cooling down,” but warns that without concrete progress, actual trade stagnation prevails.
Noteworthy
- The Brazilian tax authority Receita Federal will soon operate a Pilatus PC-24 jet, a first for the manufacturer, to swiftly access remote border regions with customs teams and sniffer dogs.
- Wizz Air faces reflection on its growth strategy amid recent operational challenges, sparking debate about sustainable expansion in the competitive low-cost market.
Stay tuned for more updates and our in-depth video briefing on today’s biggest stories.
Sources include Aerotelegraph, Airliners.de, Stat Times, The Loadstar, and Luchtvaartnieuws.