Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – September 30, 2025
Good morning, air cargo professionals. Here is your concise update on today’s key developments shaping the airfreight and aviation sectors.
German Government Focuses on Competitiveness with Lufthansa Insights
During the first cabinet retreat of the current German government, Lufthansa’s executive Grazia Vittadini contributed a presentation on the competitiveness of Germany’s economy. Her insights highlight the critical role aviation and logistics play in maintaining Europe’s industrial edge in a rapidly evolving global market.
Amsterdam Schiphol Suspends Its Planned Fee Increase Amid Industry Pushback
The planned 5% hike in airport fees for airlines at Amsterdam-Schiphol in 2026 has been shelved after negotiations with carriers. However, the industry association BARIN criticized the move as insufficient, demanding further compensation given the steep 41% fee surge in 2025. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions as airports balance rising costs with airline sustainability concerns.
Leadership and Infrastructure Updates from European Airports
- Geneva Airport has appointed Jean-François de Saussure as its new CEO effective November 1, signaling a renewed leadership phase for the Swiss hub.
- Frankfurt Airport’s new Terminal 3 passed its official regulatory acceptance and is now entering the final phase before its highly anticipated operational launch, marking a major milestone for Germany’s busiest airport after a decade of construction.
Airline Dynamics: Premium Ticket Pricing and Partnership Strains
Across the market, premium cabin fares such as business class continue to climb, while economy seats trend downward in pricing—a reflection of evolving passenger demand patterns.
Meanwhile, KLM has lost two major airline partners, Air France and Delta, for its ground handling services at Schiphol following labor strikes, pushing these carriers to seek alternative providers and highlighting the fragile nature of operational partnerships.
China’s Growing Aviation Footprint in Africa
Comac aims to deepen its presence on the African continent, with Nigeria now considering certification of the C919 passenger jet, the first African country to do so. This move could strengthen ties as China offers maintenance and leasing support, signaling a strategic push in emerging markets.
Collaborations in Aviation Innovation and Fleet Updates
- Deutsche Aircraft and Akkodis have formalized a partnership to jointly advance aircraft systems development, tapping Akkodis’s expertise in digital engineering to drive next-generation efficiencies.
- German Airways unveiled an Embraer E190 painted in the DTM racing livery at Cologne/Bonn Airport, combining aviation and motorsport branding as part of the popular touring car series’ final week.
Market and Policy Pressures: Tariffs, Freight Controls, and Labor Conditions
International trade frictions linger, with newly expanded US tariffs on imports like timber threatening to raise consumer prices and add complexity to supply chains.
China’s tightening regulations on dual-use cargo exports are squeezing freight forwarders and carriers, especially those handling specialized automotive parts and rare earth elements, underscoring growing compliance requirements.
In Europe, a study from the University of Ghent reveals alarming labor conditions for airline crews, with low-cost carriers most affected, raising safety concerns and calls from unions like Verdi to improve employment standards.
Legacy and Strategic Shifts in Aviation Assets
Following ongoing geopolitical and market pressures, Russian cargo airline group Volga-Dnepr appears to be divesting Boeing 737-800BCFs and 747-400Fs to Aeroflot, in a $130 million deal representing a significant asset reallocation within Russia’s air cargo sector.
Travel Demand and Route Expansions
- Saxony’s airports Leipzig/Halle and Dresden are ramping up flights to popular sun destinations as autumn holidays begin, catering to increased leisure travel.
- Brussels Airport will welcome a new route to Chongqing operated by Hainan Airlines from late November, adding to a total of four Chinese destinations served, reflecting strengthening Europe-China connectivity.
Spotlight Interview: FACC’s Vision for the Next Generation of Aircraft
Robert Machtlinger, CEO of Austrian aerospace supplier FACC, shares insights into their work on aircraft that promise at least 15% better fuel efficiency. He also discusses confidence in Comac’s rise and the potential of urban air mobility, including flight taxis, as a future growth area.
That concludes your update for this Tuesday. Stay tuned for our YouTube briefing later today, where we’ll delve deeper into these stories and emerging trends shaping the air cargo landscape.
— Your Airfreight Insider editorial team