Daily Briefing – Airfreight Insider – November 4, 2025
Welcome to your daily update on the most important developments shaping the global air cargo and logistics industry. Today, we cover major moves in aircraft manufacturing, airline network expansions, labor disputes, government policy shifts, and more.
Embraer Hits Record Quarterly Revenue, Confirms 2025 Outlook
Brazil’s Embraer has reported a record quarterly revenue of 2.004 billion USD for Q3 2025, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. The strong performance is driven by robust demand across its commercial and executive aircraft divisions. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for 2025, signaling confidence in ongoing market recovery and growth. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
Iran Nears Certification of Antonov An-140 Copy “Hesa Simorgh”
Iran is close to completing tests on its new turboprop military transport aircraft, the Hesa Simorgh, which is based on the Ukrainian Antonov An-140 platform. This plane is intended to replace aging Fokker 27 aircraft in Iran’s air force and marks a significant step in domestic defense manufacturing efforts.
Network Expansions: Ajet and Cabo Verde Airlines Resume Key Routes
Ajet, a Turkish Airlines subsidiary, is set to launch thrice-weekly flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen to Basra starting December 5, 2025, expanding its footprint in Iraq’s growing air cargo and passenger markets.
Meanwhile, Cabo Verde Airlines plans to resume seasonal service from the island of Sal to Paris Charles de Gaulle next summer, operating weekly flights between June 19 and September 25, tapping into the resurgent travel demand between West Africa and Europe.
SmartLynx Airlines Seeks Court-Backed Restructuring
The Latvian charter operator SmartLynx Airlines has formally applied for judicial protection to restructure its operations. The airline faces financial challenges and must present a restructuring plan by February 2026 to avoid insolvency.
Labor and Union Turmoil
A new chapter unfolds at Frankfurt Airport as a court has halted the ongoing workers’ council election amidst growing union disputes with Fraport. This move disrupts normal operations and adds uncertainty to employee representation.
In parallel, Germany’s pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit is experiencing internal conflict. One prominent member left the union’s bargaining team in protest, citing disagreements over a perceived hardline negotiation stance. The discord highlights ongoing challenges in pilot labor relations as the industry prepares for future contract talks.
Federal Government Cuts 105 Million Euro Funding for Long-Distance Trains
The German transport ministry has abruptly withdrawn €105 million in subsidies earmarked for long-distance rail services, sparking sharp criticism. Industry experts and labor representatives caution this could negatively impact passengers and workforce stability in Germany’s rail sector. The funding cut reflects broader governmental pressures on transport budgets ahead of the 2026 federal elections.
Boeing 777-X Freighter Delays Compound Widebody Cargo Capacity Shortage
Boeing’s latest delay in delivering the much-anticipated 777-X freighter variant pushes back the timeline for new large widebody cargo aircraft entering the market, now expected earliest in 2028. This prolongs the shortage of high-capacity freighters in global air cargo networks, potentially limiting capacity growth amid strong demand for oversized shipments. (Source: The Loadstar)
Asia-Pacific Air Cargo Surge Ahead of US-China Tariff Deadline
Air freight volumes across the Asia-Pacific are accelerating sharply as shippers rush to clear goods before the temporary US-China tariff pause expires on November 12. According to Dimerco’s latest Freight Report, exporters are prioritizing shipments of high-tech electronics and other tariff-sensitive goods, intensifying regional air cargo activity.
US Government Shutdown Severely Impacts Air Traffic Operations
The ongoing US federal budget impasse has disrupted air traffic operations nationwide for over a month, affecting more than 3.2 million passengers through flight delays and cancellations. The root cause is critical staff shortages in air traffic control and airport security sectors, underscoring vulnerabilities in the US aviation system.
Industry Spotlight: Emirates Launches Express Door-to-Door Cargo Service in Germany
Emirates SkyCargo has inaugurated Emirates Courier Express, a new dedicated last-mile delivery service across Germany. The offering targets time-critical parcel shipments, integrating Emirates’ airfreight network with domestic ground logistics for enhanced speed and coverage.
Finnair Expands Winter Flight Program to Thailand
For the winter 2026/27 season, Finnair is increasing frequencies to Thailand more than ever before, offering travelers more options to reach Southeast Asia’s popular winter destinations. These additional services align with ongoing demand trends for long-haul leisure travel.
Air Sénégal Adds Brussels to European Network
West African carrier Air Sénégal is making Brussels its second European destination alongside Paris, launching a thrice-weekly Dakar-Brussels service starting December 9. This expansion is part of the airline’s strategy to strengthen its presence in European markets.
Governments Map Out National Aviation Strategy with 17 Focus Areas
Germany’s federal government has released preliminary guidelines for a new national aviation strategy. The framework identifies 17 key action fields aimed at sustainable growth, innovation promotion, and infrastructure modernization in the aviation sector, reiterating commitments from the coalition agreement.
Fraud Allegations Surround Boeing 737 MAX Investment Scam
In a high-profile case, an American investor linked to owning several football clubs faces accusations of defrauding investors through deals involving dozens of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Authorities allege hundreds of millions of dollars were raised under false pretenses, prompting scrutiny into financial practices within parts of the aircraft leasing market.
Legacy Fleet Update: Condor Phases Out Boeing 757
Condor is retiring its iconic Boeing 757 fleet after decades of service. In a recent interview, aviation expert Peter Aurich – known as “Mr. 757” – praised the aircraft’s versatility and noted that the 757-300 held advantages over some modern single-aisle jets in range and payload capacity. Plans for the phased-out planes’ futures range from storage to secondhand sales.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our YouTube video analysis dropping later today covering these stories in more depth.
— The Airfreight Insider Editorial Team