Daily Briefing – July 26, 2025
Welcome to your daily air cargo and logistics briefing. Today we highlight critical infrastructure warnings in the US, fresh delays in Boeing’s 737 Max certifications, strategic route expansions by major carriers, airport infrastructure investments, and evolving passenger services. Here’s what you need to know.
US Air Cargo Infrastructure Under Scrutiny, DOT Urged to Act
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the US congressional watchdog, has sounded alarms about significant gaps in the nation’s air cargo infrastructure. According to the GAO, inefficiencies and safety concerns persist, with longstanding bottlenecks largely unaddressed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The report highlights urgent needs for modernization to maintain competitiveness and ensure secure, smooth cargo flows.
Boeing’s 737 Max 7 and Max 10 Certification Delays Stretch into 2026
Once optimistic projections by customers such as Ryanair for 737 Max 10 certification before the end of 2025 are now clouded by new technical hurdles. An unresolved issue with the engine anti-icing system forces Boeing to revise the two models again, pushing certification and deliveries to 2026. Westjet is expected to be the first customer for the Max 10. This delay will impact fleet planning and capacity growth in the short term.
Kuehne + Nagel Navigates Growth Amid Market Uncertainties
Kuehne + Nagel opened Q2 earnings season showing solid volume growth with revenues rising 8% year-on-year to CHF 12.5 billion ($15.7 billion). However, EBIT and net profit both declined 4%, revealing margin pressures despite a resilient top line. The globally leading freight forwarder described the current macro environment as one of “uncertain uncertainties,” signaling cautious optimism but ongoing volatility.
Airports Investing in Specialized Logistics and Perishables Handling
Maastricht Aachen Airport has partnered with FlowerWatch to enhance the quality control of sensitive perishables such as flowers through advanced monitoring solutions. The collaboration aims to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage, a growing focus area in perishables logistics.
Meanwhile, JFK’s new Terminal One is set to launch a dedicated Consolidated Receiving and Distribution Centre (CRDC) by the end of 2025, streamlining deliveries and inspections for the terminal. This centralized logistics hub will improve coordination and efficiency in ground operations for one of the world’s busiest airports.
In Germany, Antonov is investing in a new maintenance hangar at Leipzig/Halle Airport, reinforcing its operational foothold for freight services at this key Central European hub.
Airline Route Expansions and Service Innovations
Condor unveiled its summer 2026 schedule with a marked expansion in long-haul flights. Bangkok will be served daily year-round, and Las Vegas flights increase to five times weekly. Additionally, new European destinations are added, supporting both leisure and business travel demand. These moves signal growing optimism for recovery in international passenger and cargo flows.
Emirates is engaging with the new German federal government to negotiate direct flights to Berlin, aiming to expand its presence in the country alongside deeper codeshare ties with Condor.
Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo Long Range, with plans for a fleet of 30, including services to Düsseldorf, highlighting a shift toward more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft for medium-haul routes.
Passenger Experience: Eurowings Launches Priority Boarding Service
Eurowings introduced a paid Priority Boarding option priced from €7, allowing earlier boarding in Group 1. However, this service will not be available on all flights, a detail travelers need to check beforehand. This move follows broader industry trends aiming to monetize passenger convenience features amid growing ancillary revenue streams.
Regulatory and Operational Updates
The FAA has extended slot exemption rules for New York area airports until October 2026 to alleviate congestion — although one airport in the region remains excluded from the extension. This reflects ongoing efforts to balance capacity and operational efficiency at highly congested hubs.
On the European legal front, Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that former Alitalia employees do not have an automatic right to employment at Ita Airways, emphasizing the legal independence of the new carrier.
Also, Poland’s Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is currently soliciting bids for a General Contract Engineer to oversee the construction of its new airport, with a contract award planned in Q1 2026. This signals momentum in large infrastructure projects bolstering European air cargo capacity.
Special Notice: Zurich Airport Lifts Night Flight Restrictions on Swiss National Day
Zurich Airport announced it will temporarily suspend evening flight restrictions on August 1, 2025, due to fireworks celebrations for the Swiss National Day. Arrivals after 9 PM will use alternate runways and approach paths. Operators and logistics planners should factor this into their schedules.
That’s all for today’s briefing. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s updates and our daily YouTube video bringing you expert perspectives on these and other air freight developments.