Daily Briefing – November 9, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the airfreightinsider Daily Briefing, your essential overview of the latest news and trends shaping the air cargo and aviation logistics industry.
FAA Grounds All MD-11 Freighters After Deadly Crash
In a major safety move, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F cargo aircraft grounded following a fatal crash near Louisville that claimed at least 14 lives. Authorities have temporarily banned further flights of these aircraft until thorough inspections and corrective actions are completed. Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) analysis of the cockpit voice recorder show the three UPS pilots struggled to maintain control until the very end.
This abrupt grounding affects numerous MD-11s across fleets, raising concerns about a potentially systemic issue with this aging trijet. Freight operators, including major carriers like FedEx and UPS, now face significant disruption, forcing urgent evaluations of fleet and routing capabilities. The FAA’s decisive action, as reported repeatedly by aerotelegraph.com and luchtvaartnieuws.nl, underscores the regulatory rigor following critical incidents in cargo aviation.
Drone Intrusions Disrupt Operations at Liège Airport; UK Provides Support to Belgium
Drone sightings continue to plague Belgian airspace, particularly around Liège Airport, where traffic was temporarily halted for half an hour due to a new drone incursion, according to air traffic control operator Skeyes. This marks yet another episode in a series of drone-related disruptions, prompting increased vigilance.
In response, the United Kingdom has committed military support to Belgium to bolster airspace security against these incursions. British troops and equipment will be deployed to assist NATO ally Belgium in managing the growing drone threat. This cooperative defense measure was highlighted in reports from the BBC and luchtvaartnieuws.nl, signaling escalating efforts to safeguard critical aviation infrastructure from unmanned aerial system interference.
US Flight Disruptions Escalate Amid Government Shutdown and FAA Traffic Reductions
The ongoing US federal government shutdown is significantly affecting the aviation sector, compounding air traffic challenges. Over the weekend, the FAA’s scaled-back operations prompted the cancellation of more than 1,700 flights and delays affecting around 6,000 others nationwide. Friday alone saw approximately 4% of domestic flights dropped, impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers and cargo movements.
These disruptions stem from broadly enforced FAA traffic limits and workforce shortages due to budget constraints, as documented by cargomagazine.nl and luchtvaartnieuws.nl. The fallout presents a growing operational challenge for carriers, airports, and logistics providers navigating an increasingly volatile US airspace environment.
JetBlue Announces New Seasonal Route to Florida’s Emerald Coast in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, JetBlue Airways has unveiled plans to launch new nonstop flights connecting Boston and New York JFK with Destin–Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Starting March 5, 2026, the airline will operate five weekly flights on this route, catering to seasonal leisure travel demand along Florida’s Emerald Coast. This expansion reflects ongoing airline efforts to tap into popular regional leisure markets and diversify network offerings, as noted in recent coverage by aerotelegraph.com.
Dutch Defense Confirms Participation in January’s Career Experience Event
The Dutch Defense Ministry has confirmed its participation in the Career Experience 2026, scheduled for January 10 at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. Representatives from the Air Force, Army, and Navy will take part in the vocational and education event, offering insights into military career paths relevant to logistics and air freight professionals interested in defense sector opportunities.
General Aviation Highlight: Ultraleight Aircraft Reaches Passenger Jet Altitudes
In a remarkable feat, an Alaskan pilot set a new altitude record for ultralight aircraft by flying his Carbon Cub to heights typically reserved for large airliners such as the Airbus A350. Powered by a modest 160-horsepower engine and equipped with oxygen systems, this flight challenges perceptions about the operational ceiling of ultralight planes and exemplifies innovative aviation capabilities, as covered by aerotelegraph.com.
Industry Personnel Moves and Labor Developments
Several notable personnel changes are impacting labor relations and lobbying efforts within aviation: a board member of the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union resigned amid the ongoing Lufthansa tariff dispute, Ryanair has appointed Marco Lietz as their new Head of Public Affairs, and a labor council election at Frankfurt Airport’s operator Fraport has been halted. These moves underscore the dynamic and sometimes turbulent nature of workforce management within the sector.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our video update on YouTube.
— Your airfreightinsider editorial team