Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – August 1, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing, your comprehensive overview of the latest trends and headlines shaping the air cargo and logistics sector worldwide.
Antonov’s An-124 Ruslan Returns, Upgraded and Ready for Global Ops
Ukrainian cargo giant Antonov Airlines has successfully relocated one of its iconic An-124-100 Ruslan freighters (registered UR-82073, MSN 0706) from Ukraine to Germany, completing a thorough modernization program. At 31.7 years old, the aircraft returns to international service with upgraded capabilities, reinforcing Antonov’s position in the heavy-lift cargo market.
Heathrow’s Ambitious £21 Billion Third Runway Proposal Targets 50% Cargo Capacity Growth
Heathrow Airport has unveiled plans to build a third runway, funded privately, costing around £21 billion. If approved, this new infrastructure will boost cargo handling capacity by 50% within the next decade, open up at least 30 new passenger destinations, and enhance export opportunities. The proposal is currently under government review and hinges on regulatory approvals.
Global Air Freight Faces Headwinds as De Minimis Threshold Ends in the US
The air cargo industry is grappling with a bleak forecast, driven in part by the recent US decision to revoke the de minimis exemption for imports valued under $800. The Asia-North America trade lane continues to underperform, recording its seventh straight month of volume decline. This regulatory shift may further suppress demand in one of the world’s busiest airfreight corridors, complicating recovery efforts.
Wizz Air Expands European Network with New Routes from Hamburg and Maastricht Aachen
Wizz Air continues its aggressive European expansion by launching a new thrice-weekly direct flight from Hamburg to Sibiu, Romania. Additionally, from October 2025, the low-cost carrier will introduce a third route from Maastricht Aachen Airport, flying to Bucharest. These new connections reinforce Wizz Air’s growing footprint in Central and Eastern Europe, supported by a five-year partnership with the Maastricht airport.
IAG Cargo Reports Solid H1 2025 Growth with Double-Digit Revenue Increase
IAG Cargo, the freight arm of International Airlines Group, posted a robust €629 million in revenue for the first half of 2025—an 11.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Cargo volumes rose 4.5%, while yields climbed 6.4%, highlighting the division’s resilience amid mixed global trade conditions.
Trade Tensions Shake Air Cargo Markets: Asia-Pacific Leads Growth, US and Europe Struggle
The latest data from IATA reveals a nuanced global air cargo landscape for June 2025. Overall global cargo demand nudged up 0.8% year-on-year, but with strong 9.0% growth concentrated in Asia-Pacific markets. In contrast, North America saw an 8.3% drop in air cargo volumes, while Europe experienced stagnation with a modest 0.8% rise. Trade tensions continue to disrupt Western markets, even as Asia-Pacific airlines capitalize on increasing regional demand.
Lufthansa Cargo Expands Partnership with Ita Airways on Asian Routes
Starting September 1, Lufthansa Cargo will market Ita Airways’ freighter capacities on three additional Asian routes out of Rome-Fiumicino, covering Delhi, Tokyo-Haneda, and Bangkok. This collaboration extends existing cooperation that began earlier this year, enhancing Lufthansa Cargo’s reach into key Asian markets with integrated service options.
Industry Snapshot: Aircraft, Airlines and Infrastructure
- Etihad Airways becomes the first operator of the Airbus A321 LR with a three-class cabin, debuting long-haul narrowbody operations. A detailed report from its delivery flight offers insights into product and performance upgrades.
- Bombardier surprises markets by posting a profit increase in Q2 despite declining revenues, sending shares up by 7% and signaling operational efficiency improvements.
- Play Airlines
- Russian Airlines saw a slight decline in passenger volumes in H1 2025, transporting 50.8 million passengers versus 51.2 million in the previous year, reflecting ongoing market pressures.
- Melita Airways
- Vandalism-induced rail disruptions between Düsseldorf and Duisburg are severely impacting transit to Düsseldorf Airport, complicating travel for air passengers relying on the affected line.
Noteworthy Incidents and Regional Developments
Authorities at Munich Airport recently confiscated approximately 70 kilograms of vacuum-sealed marijuana from carry-on luggage during targeted customs inspections, underscoring ongoing security challenges at major hubs.
Meanwhile, on the German North Sea island of Juist, local residents and officials prepare to vote on how to connect the airport—still located outside the village—to the town center, debating between motorized options and traditional horse-drawn or small rail systems in line with the island’s car-free ethos.
In a legal development, four Alaska Airlines flight attendants have filed a lawsuit against Boeing over physical and psychological injuries allegedly resulting from a “Door Plug” incident involving a 737 Max 9 in early 2024, raising safety and quality concerns for the manufacturer.
Travel Trends Update
The German market continues to see robust travel demand, with the Federal Statistical Office reporting a record 277 million multi-day trips in 2024—the highest since 2012. Private and business travelers alike are fueling this growth, predominantly favoring certain transport modes, reinforcing positive spillover effects for air cargo related to passenger services.
That wraps up our daily briefing. Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow and don’t miss our daily video analysis on YouTube.