Daily Briefing – October 20, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of airfreightinsider.com, your concise update on the key developments and trends shaping the air cargo and aviation world. Here are the most important stories from around the globe:
New Partnership Advances Cross-Border E-Commerce on 777-300ERSF
Air Atlanta, Fly Meta, and Hungary Airlines have joined forces in a groundbreaking partnership centering on the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) 777-300ERSF freighter. The collaboration aims to boost regional air cargo connectivity and facilitate cross-border e-commerce growth. Fly Meta will operate under this alliance, marking a significant milestone for freighter utilization in Europe and beyond. (Source: Sattimes)
European Legacy Carriers Demand Level Playing Field
Lufthansa and Air France-KLM CEOs have publicly criticized the uneven competitive landscape in Europe, highlighting Qatar Airways as a beneficiary of privileges not afforded to European carriers. Both executives urge the European Union to implement concrete protective measures to safeguard Europe’s aviation industry amid intensifying global competition. This call comes amid ongoing debates about fair market conditions and state support in the aviation sector. (Source: Airliners.de)
Political Divide Over Dutch Aviation Policy Intensifies
In the Netherlands, political parties are sharply split over the future of aviation. The upcoming elections have brought contrasting views to the forefront, ranging from calls to close airports like Rotterdam and Maastricht to proposals supporting continued aviation growth. This polarization reflects broader debates on environmental impact versus economic benefits of air travel within Europe’s aviation policy landscape. (Source: Luchtvaartnieuws)
EU Air Traffic Management: Calls for Realistic Cost Targets
Europe’s air traffic control organizations have achieved improved performance alongside further cost reductions in 2024, as reported by the EU’s Performance Review Board on October 14. However, CANSO, the global association of air navigation service providers, is pushing the EU for more realistic cost guidelines to ensure sustainable funding and continued efficiency gains within the air navigation sector. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
Airport Disruptions: Security Alerts and Drone Incidents
- Munich Airport experienced two temporary shutdowns during the night following reports of suspicious aerial phenomena. Despite a police helicopter search, nothing suspicious was found, and the impact on operations remained limited.
- In St. Petersburg, a passenger aircraft veered off the runway during an emergency landing early Monday morning. Fortunately, all 162 passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
- At Palma de Mallorca Airport, a drone sighting forced a 35-minute suspension of flights on Sunday evening. Operations have since returned to normal.
These incidents underline the ongoing challenge airports face from drones and security alerts, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring and rapid response protocols. (Sources: Airliners.de (Munich), Airliners.de (St. Petersburg), Airliners.de (Mallorca))
Serious Fire Devastates Dhaka’s Cargo Complex
A severe fire completely destroyed the freight complex at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh. Authorities have launched an investigation into suspected arson. The incident is expected to disrupt cargo operations significantly and may have wider implications for supply chains in the region. (Source: Airliners.de)
Passenger Traffic Up at Schiphol Despite Fewer Flights
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport recorded a 1% increase in passenger numbers in September compared to last year, welcoming about 6.1 million travelers. Interestingly, the total number of flights decreased by 1%, indicating higher load factors and the use of larger aircraft on some routes. This trend reflects airlines’ continued optimization of capacity amid evolving demand patterns. (Source: Luchtvaartnieuws)
Swiss Airlines Trains Airbus A350 Operations at Taranto Airport
Swiss has chosen the relatively quiet Italian regional airport of Taranto for initial landing and takeoff training flights with its Airbus A350 fleet. This approach allows pilots to hone skills in a low-traffic environment while avoiding disruptions at major hubs. Such training strategies illustrate how carriers balance operational needs with efficiency and safety considerations. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
Leadership Shakeup: Chapman Freeborn Appoints Amazon Air Executive as CEO
Chapman Freeborn, a specialist aircraft broker, has named Saska Gerasimova, former senior supply chain manager at Amazon Air Europe, as its new Group CEO effective immediately. She replaces Eric Erbacher, who will become chairman of the board. Gerasimova’s appointment signals Chapman Freeborn’s ambition to capitalize on her expertise in logistics and e-commerce air freight markets. (Source: The Loadstar)
US-EU Trade Shifts: Europe Benefits as Ecommerce Air Cargo to US Dips
Recent WorldACD data reveals a significant 9% week-on-week decline in air freight volumes from China and India to the US during week 41. Meanwhile, Europe continues to benefit from shifting trade flows, maintaining steadier cargo volumes. This trend reflects evolving trade routes and demand, influenced by geopolitical factors and supply chain diversification efforts. (Source: The Loadstar)
Major AWS Outage Disrupts Airline Websites and Online Services
An extensive outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday morning caused widespread disruptions across many airline websites and digital platforms. Passengers faced difficulties accessing bookings, check-ins, and flight information. This incident underscores the growing vulnerability of aviation operations to cloud service reliability. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
DSV Hints at Potential Major Acquisition
Forwarding giant DSV has stirred speculation about another transformative merger or acquisition deal on the horizon, described as potentially the “biggest yet to come”. Following a wave of M&A activity in freight forwarding, industry watchers await official confirmation that could reshape market dynamics further. (Source: The Loadstar)
New US Tariffs Threaten to Increase Trucking Costs
The White House announced a sweeping 25% import tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks and parts effective immediately. This move aims to bolster domestic production but risks increasing supply chain costs for US companies and intensifying trade tensions with partners. The ramifications for cross-border logistics and freight costs are yet to unfold. (Source: The Loadstar)
Frankfurt Airport Launches Expanded Winter Flight Schedule
Starting October 26, Frankfurt Airport’s winter schedule 2025/2026 will offer 3,700 weekly departures operated by 81 airlines, reaching 244 destinations in 96 countries. This expansion adds approximately 680,000 weekly seats, reflecting continued recovery and growth in international air travel demand. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
Discussion: Unequal Passenger Rights Between Air and Rail
It remains a contentious issue that airline passengers missing connecting long-haul flights due to delayed flights are entitled to compensation up to €600, whereas rail passengers on the way to airports do not enjoy equivalent rights. This legal disparity raises questions about fairness and integration across transport modes in Europe. (Source: Airliners.de)
Other Notable Headlines
- Tragic news from the US where a Beechcraft Hawker 800 XP crashed, killing three onboard.
- UK military authorized to shoot down unidentified drones near military airfields, an effort to tighten drone security protocols.
- PAS Professional Aviation Solutions strengthens its team with two new experienced hires, enhancing bespoke aviation services from Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily video update on YouTube for more in-depth analysis.
— Your airfreightinsider.com editorial team