Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – November 28, 2025
Welcome to your daily update from airfreightinsider.com, where we bring logistics professionals the latest pulse of the air cargo and airline industry. Today’s briefing covers capacity negotiations, important fleet and personnel moves, regulatory changes, and much more.
Forwarder-Airline Capacity Talks Underway – But Uncertainty Remains
Forwarders and airlines are deep in negotiations for 2026 capacity contracts, exemplified by recent talks between Atlas Air and DSV. However, as airlines recalibrate schedules post-pandemic amidst fluctuating demand, these discussions are proving to be a mixture of strategic planning and guesswork, with all parties weighing complex market signals. This uncertainty will have ripple effects on forwarders’ capacity planning and pricing into the new year.
Fleet and Operational Updates: Airbus and Boeing Challenges, and New Leadership Moves
Technical issues continue to affect fleet operations: Airbus has imposed takeoff restrictions for A320neo family aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1100 engines under certain icing conditions, amid an ongoing large-scale service campaign. Meanwhile, Kenya Airways issued a profit warning for 2025 due to continued difficulties securing replacement GEnx engines, grounding three Boeing 787-8 aircraft and disrupting schedules.
On the positive side, China Airlines announced major widebody fleet renewal plans with sizable orders of new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while phasing out four Boeing 747-400 freighters, signaling a strategic modernization shift.
In leadership news, Swiss has appointed Dominik Jäggi as its new Head of Flight Operations starting January 2026, taking charge of strategic and operational oversight. At Norse Atlantic, Eivind Roald steps in immediately as President and CEO, succeeding founder Bjørn Tore Larsen, who will remain as Board Chairman.
Lufthansa’s Customer Experience and Profitability Initiatives
Lufthansa Group is doubling down on premium customer experience with several upgrades. The First Class and status customer check-in at Frankfurt Airport has been relaunched with added amenities, including brand-new private changing rooms to meet elite traveler expectations. The Business Lounge at Gate A13 in Frankfurt is also reopened following renovations, enhancing comfort for Business Class and status passengers.
On a broader scale, Lufthansa is investing €70 million in a revamped long-haul catering concept starting spring 2026, doubling kitchen capacities in Frankfurt and Munich, and hiring 90 new staff, including acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. This is part of Lufthansa’s ongoing push to boost both service quality and profitability.
Speaking of profitability, recent reports confirm Lufthansa Airlines is actively tweaking its cost and revenue structures to sustain margins, while CEO Jens Ritter committed to no further cuts on domestic German routes this summer following the recently reduced air traffic tax—though calls for further relief measures persist.
Regulatory and Market Developments: Taxes, Airport Operations, and Membership Programs
In regulatory shifts, Belgium plans to double its air traffic tax to €10 starting 2027, drawing sharp criticism from Brussels Airlines and Ryanair over potential negative impacts on Belgium as a hub. Meanwhile, the Dutch business aviation sector condemned a recent hike in private jet taxes as a politically motivated “jealousy tax,” highlighting ongoing friction between governments and specialized aviation segments.
Expanding operations internationally, Fraport will take over the management of Brazil’s Jericoacoara Airport from fall 2026 via its local subsidiary, extending its global airport management footprint.
In the low-cost sector, Ryanair ended its Prime subscription program after eight months, having granted more discounts than it earned revenue, leaving its 55,000 members to transition back to standard fare structures.
Inside the Hubs: A Glimpse at FedEx’s Cologne/Bonn Facility
A recent behind-the-scenes look at FedEx’s Cologne/Bonn freight center showcases one of Europe’s most important air logistics hubs. The visit revealed state-of-the-art sorting operations and the daily arrival of heavily loaded Boeing 777 aircraft, illustrating the vital role this gateway plays in FedEx’s European network.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update and our daily YouTube video covering these stories and more.
Your team at airfreightinsider.com – keeping you informed and ahead in air logistics.