Daily Briefing – October 7, 2025
Welcome to your daily dose of airfreight and aviation industry news. Today’s briefing covers key shifts in airline strategies, rising operational challenges, and important developments from airports and manufacturers worldwide.
Airline Network Movements & Fleet Developments
Turkish Airlines is reportedly considering a return to Israel after having relinquished its slots at Tel Aviv Airport in April 2025—a move likely driven by political factors. However, operational challenges remain, as the carrier is currently facing significant engine issues with dozens of its Airbus aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. These problems, compounded by unusually long repair times, are expected to impact Turkish Airlines well into 2027.
Meanwhile, Brussels Airlines is expanding its route network by joining the joint venture between Lufthansa Group and Singapore Airlines, starting ticket sales for flights to Singapore effective October 26. This step improves connectivity between Belgium and Southeast Asia.
In the United States, Breeze Airways plans an aggressive fleet expansion to become the world’s largest Airbus A220 operator. The airline aims to grow its current fleet from 50 planes to up to 400, significantly ramping up capacity in the narrowbody market.
Complementing these fleet strategies, Airbus has overtaken Boeing with its A320 family becoming the world’s best-selling aircraft, surpassing the iconic Boeing 737. Yet both manufacturers caution that next-generation successors to these workhorse models remain years away, tempering market expectations for immediate innovation.
Airport Operations and Infrastructure Updates
The Cologne/Bonn Airport braces for a busy autumn break with more than 650,000 passengers expected from October 10 to 26, pointing to sustained leisure travel demand in Germany. In preparation for EU-wide border control upgrades, Basel-Mulhouse Airport has completed set-up of new capture stations but expects initial delays during peak times as the new system is rolled out.
On a smaller scale, the Verkehrslandeplatz Schönhagen airport near Berlin remains a key relief point for the congested BER hub, clocking around 45,000 flight movements per year. Its role within the German regional airport ecosystem is growing, with electric flight emerging as a possible future growth driver.
Labor Relations and Industry Challenges
Back in the Netherlands, the ongoing labor dispute involving KLM’s ground staff has prompted the appointment of former minister Aart Jan de Geus as mediator to ease negotiations over a new collective labor agreement. Previous strikes earlier this autumn highlighted the tensions, which remain delicate ahead of the peak travel season.
Across the Atlantic, the US aviation sector faces operational strain as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grapples with a government shutdown. Thousands of air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to more than 4,000 flight delays on Monday and mounting concerns over airspace safety and efficiency.
Technology, Security & Environmental Developments
Azul Airlines in Brazil is pioneering enhanced operational resilience by integrating a dedicated meteorology team into its control center. Since July, the airline has been using specialized software to modernize weather tracking and improve real-time flight decision-making.
Security-wise, Bavaria is boosting police powers to counter drone threats following recent sightings around Munich Airport. The expanded authority includes anti-drone measures such as detection and potential neutralization, reflecting a broader federal effort on this front.
In sustainability news, multinational energy giant Shell announced it will write off approximately $600 million following the termination of its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant construction in Rotterdam — a setback highlighting the challenges in scaling clean aviation fuel production.
In Brief
- SR Technics Spain celebrates 30 years of aircraft maintenance services, reinforcing its strong presence in the European MRO market.
- American Airlines is revamping its gate handbag screening process to speed up boarding by removing traditional measurement frames.
- A court has sentenced two climate activists to probation after they disrupted operations by invading the runway at Cologne/Bonn Airport in August 2024.
That wraps up today’s industry pulse. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s video briefing, where we delve deeper into the operational impacts of airline fleet strategies and evolving airport security measures.