Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – July 29, 2025
Good morning, air cargo and logistics professionals. Here is your daily snapshot of the latest developments shaping our industry worldwide.
EU to Abolish 100ml Liquid Rule in Hand Luggage – Airports Adjust at Different Speeds
The European Union has announced the planned removal of the long-standing 100ml liquid restriction for carry-on baggage at airports equipped with advanced CT scanners. This allows passengers to carry up to two liters of liquids again, a significant easing of previous security measures. While airports in Milan (Linate and Malpensa) have already adapted their policies accordingly, Schiphol Airport has yet to update its regulations despite the EU decision. The German airport association ADV welcomes this move, emphasizing the benefits for travelers but simultaneously criticizing the EU’s slow pace in certifying the new security technology.
Labor Action and Capacity Cuts Shake German and US Aviation
The Vereinigung Cockpit union has called for a strike on July 30 at the Gesellschaft für Flugzieldarstellung (GFD), which will affect all GFD-operated departures from German airports during the morning and early afternoon. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines in the US is responding to reduced flight schedules by furloughing 270 pilots and downgrading 140 captains to first officers, highlighting ongoing capacity adjustments in the low-cost carrier segment. These moves come at a time when US airlines express concern over planned restrictions on TSA facial recognition technology, warning of potentially longer queues and security bottlenecks.
Mixed Signals in Flight Demand and Airline Fleet Developments
The US travel industry is finally signaling a recovery after a sluggish first half of the year, with booking volumes picking up. Nonetheless, some airlines are recalibrating growth plans: Wizz Air is significantly scaling back its expansion strategy and negotiating delayed Airbus deliveries, while American Airlines has taken delivery of its first A321 XLR but postponed introducing it into service, keeping the aircraft in Europe for now. In contrast, SWISS has announced that its new Airbus A350-900s will begin operating long-haul flights to Boston starting January 2026, initially gaining operational experience on European routes.
Aeroflot Struggles with Cyberattack Fallout
Russian flag carrier Aeroflot continues to suffer after a severe cyberattack attributed to pro-Ukrainian hacker groups. The airline announced additional flight cancellations on Tuesday but maintains that its schedule is now stabilizing. The yearlong cyber operation reportedly seeking to disrupt Aeroflot’s operations has led to significant operational challenges and reputational damage.
Airports and Infrastructure: Growth, Modernization, and Maintenance
Despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Dubai International Airport set a new record for passenger traffic in the first half of 2025, welcoming 46 million travelers—a faster recovery than many analysts had expected. In Auckland, Air New Zealand is launching a major expansion of its Koru Lounge, nearly doubling its size to 3,700 m², with dedicated spaces for elite and business passengers planned to open in 2026.
In Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has inaugurated a cutting-edge maintenance hub in Addis Abeba featuring a component workshop, a central spare parts warehouse, and a new hangar capable of servicing two widebody aircraft simultaneously. This $100+ million investment bolsters the carrier’s position as the continent’s leading aviation maintenance provider.
On the other side of the globe, Schiphol Airport grapples with aging infrastructure—its iconic large round clocks across terminals are frequently broken, and costly repairs have led it to cover many of them temporarily with tarps, promising a solution later this year.
Security and Enforcement: Frankfurt’s Half-Year Drug Seizure Report
The customs authority at Frankfurt Airport released its mid-year drug interception report, revealing significant quantities of illicit substances seized through freight, mail, and passenger channels. Highlights include 436 kilograms of cocaine, over 5 tons of hashish and marijuana, and nearly half a ton of narcotic pills. These figures underline ongoing challenges for airport security and customs services in combatting smuggling operations.
Industry Partnerships and Corporate Moves
Logistics associations in Asia reinforce cooperation: The Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) and China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding for another five years, aimed at deepening freight forwarding collaboration in the region.
In airline corporate news, Australian regional carrier Skytrans has rebranded to Smart Lynx Australia after becoming part of the European Wet-Lease specialist Smart Lynx Airlines within the Avia Solutions Group. This move aligns their operations and expands their fleet with new aircraft types including De Havilland Dash 8s.
Bonus Feature: Looking Back at Aviation History
Marking 25 years since a near-tragic incident, an interview recalls the emergency landing of a Hapag-Lloyd Airbus A310 at Vienna airport, when both engines lost thrust shortly before touchdown. Eyewitness accounts describe the event as a tense, slow-motion ordeal, underscoring the importance of pilot skill and emergency protocols which saved 151 lives on board.
That’s it for today’s briefing. Stay tuned to airfreightinsider.com for your daily video update and further analysis.