Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – November 1, 2025
Good morning, logistics professionals. Today’s briefing covers key developments in passenger aviation, air cargo expansions, ongoing operational disruptions, and tech upgrades in the airfreight sector. Here is your concise overview of what’s shaping the skies and supply chains.
Passenger Aviation: Route Milestones, Fleet Changes & Service Expansions
- Etihad Airways celebrates 20 years on Brussels–Abu Dhabi route: Marking two decades since its inaugural flight, Etihad Airways has transported over 2.6 million passengers on this vital connection linking Europe with the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The route remains a vital lifeline for business and leisure travelers alike.
- Virgin Atlantic to launch London–Phuket flights in 2026: Starting October 18, 2026, Virgin Atlantic will operate thrice-weekly Boeing 787-9 services between Heathrow and Phuket, adding Thailand to its network and tapping into growing travel demand to Southeast Asia.
- ITA Airways resumes Rome–Tel Aviv flights: From January 1, 2026, ITA Airways will restore twice-daily flights between Rome-Fiumicino and Tel Aviv. This service will feature Airbus A321neos equipped with true Business and Premium Economy cabins, reflecting elevated passenger expectations.
- Swiss adjusts North America schedule for Summer 2026: The Lufthansa subsidiary will swap its Boeing 777-300ER for smaller A330-300 aircraft on Zurich–Chicago flights for the period June 21 to July 4, 2026, likely reflecting seasonal demand shifts.
- Lufthansa extends Airbus A340-600 service life: Despite plans to retire the iconic four-engine A340-600 early next year, Lufthansa has opted to keep the aircraft flying longer, underscoring capacity and fleet flexibility considerations amid ongoing market uncertainties.
- Fleet modernization moves: South Korea’s Jeju Air plans to sell three Boeing 737-800s to stabilize finances and accelerate fleet renewal. Meanwhile, Nigerian airline Air Peace continues to expand its regional fleet with another Embraer E190.
Operational Disruptions and Air Traffic Control Challenges
- US aviation sector increasingly affected by government shutdown: As the federal government shutdown enters its 31st day, US air traffic controllers face worsening staff shortages, especially across major hubs including New York, Washington, Boston, and Austin. Delays and cancellations are mounting, with industry leaders pressing for a swift political resolution.
- Suriname air traffic control incident: A KLM Boeing 777 was unable to land in Paramaribo due to a complete absence of air traffic controllers, who were all simultaneously ill. This rare event raised immediate safety concerns and highlights vulnerability in ATC staffing.
- Drone sighting disrupts Berlin airspace: Flights departing Berlin to cities such as Basel, Oslo, and Barcelona were delayed or rerouted for two hours Friday evening following the suspected presence of a drone near the airport, an increasingly common source of operational disruption worldwide.
- Train service to Schiphol down due to signalling faults: On Saturday morning, railway services between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Zuid were suspended owing to a signal and switch failure, compounding travel challenges around one of Europe’s busiest air cargo gateways.
Air Cargo Sector: New Connections and Contract Renewals
- Cargojet launches direct Canada–Europe airfreight service: Effective November 1, 2025, Cargojet has started scheduled cargo flights linking Canada’s key cargo hubs with Liège Airport, Belgium—one of Europe’s premier cargo gateways. This service leverages Cargojet’s leading North American position to enhance transatlantic freight flows.
- AGI Cargo renews LATAM handling contract at Miami hub: AGI Cargo extended its partnership with LATAM Cargo at Miami International Airport through 2031, reinforcing collaboration at one of the globe’s busiest airfreight transit points.
- UPS reports solid Q3 2025 results amid industry transformation: The logistics giant posted $21.4 billion revenue and $1.8 billion operating profit (non-GAAP adjusted $2.1 billion), with ongoing restructuring efforts supporting resilience in a turbulent global trade environment.
- New rules for pharma supply chains in uncertain times: In an in-depth feature, the shifting landscape—including geopolitical tensions, route disruptions, inflation, and pandemic aftermath—is forcing pharmaceutical companies and logistics providers to rethink and “crisis-proof” their supply chains to safeguard vital medicine flows.
Technology & Infrastructure Developments
- Alaska Airlines commissions external review of IT systems: Responding to repeated technical glitches, Alaska Airlines has engaged Accenture to conduct a thorough audit of its IT infrastructure, aiming to improve system stability and customer experience long-term.
- Groningen-Eelde Airport expands operational hours: Starting November 1, this Dutch regional airport can now operate from 6:00 a.m. (previously 6:30) until midnight on weekdays, enhancing flexibility for cargo and passenger flights.
- Airbus A220 production delays: Airbus has pushed back its delivery schedule for the A220 amid component shortages, a setback echoing wider supply chain challenges faced by aircraft manufacturers.
- Boeing abandons 737 successor launch until at least 2040: With no immediate replacement planned for the 737, Boeing signals a prolonged focus on adapting existing models amid an uncertain market and evolving environmental regulations.
That wraps up today’s Daily Briefing. For more detailed insights and our daily video update, visit airfreightinsider.com. Stay ahead of trends shaping our evolving industry!