Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – December 8, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing, your essential overview of the latest developments shaping the air cargo and aviation industry. From fleet retirements and new route launches to strategic partnerships and regulatory crackdowns, here are the key stories you need to know.
Fleet & Network Updates
- KLM begins phasing out Boeing 737-800s: KLM has initiated the retirement of its Boeing 737-800 fleet, with the first aircraft now being dismantled. The next unit is scheduled to be retired in January 2026, marking the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal efforts. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Croatia Airlines launches new Dubrovnik-Stuttgart route in Summer 2026: Starting May 4, 2026, Croatia Airlines will operate twice-weekly flights connecting Dubrovnik and Stuttgart with an Airbus A319. The move aims to strengthen connections between these key Central European hubs. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Condor expands Gulf region network from Berlin: Despite introducing Abu Dhabi as a new destination, Condor confirms continued service to Dubai from Berlin, positioning itself strongly against Eurowings on two Gulf routes. This dual-route approach highlights intensified competition in long-haul leisure travel from Germany. (Source: Airliners.de)
Partnerships & Market Moves
- Turkish Airlines and South African Airways sign codeshare deal: Effective March 1, 2026, Turkish Airlines will place its TK code on intra-African South African Airways flights, boosting connectivity across the continent via Istanbul’s hub. This collaboration represents an important strategic step for both carriers in the African market. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Ceva Logistics plans relaunch in Russia despite sanctions risks: French logistics company Ceva, part of CMA CGM, is preparing to restart its operations in Russia under a new entity reportedly called CV Log. This relaunch comes amid ongoing geopolitical friction and looming sanctions, signaling a cautious but deliberate re-engagement with the Russian market. (Source: The Loadstar)
- Fiege to take over part of Cologne/Bonn cargo center: Following the exit of Dnata, logistics provider Fiege is poised to become the new operator of a segment of the Cologne/Bonn airport cargo facility, while another major player is reportedly interested in the adjacent hall space. This reshuffle highlights competitive shifts in European cargo handling. (Source: Airliners.de)
Infrastructure & Expansion
- Munich Airport commits to major airfreight expansion: Responding to growing cargo volumes, Munich Airport is investing in expanding freight handling areas by 73,000 square meters through 2030. This significant infrastructure project aims to maintain and grow the airport’s role as a key German cargo hub. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Tallinn Airport embarks on largest-ever capacity increase: The Estonian capital’s airport is undergoing a €75 million modernization and extension program that will more than double its capacity by 2030. The extensive upgrade will include comprehensive terminal renovations and restructured passenger flows. (Source: AeroTelegraph)
Corporate & Regulatory Developments
- US government reduces Southwest Airlines’ penalty by $11 million: Following extensive winter 2022 flight disruptions, Southwest was originally fined $140 million. The US Department of Transportation has now waived the final $11 million of the penalty as Southwest continues efforts to improve operations. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
- Southwest Airlines cuts profit forecast due to US government shutdown: The airline has significantly revised down its earnings outlook for 2025, citing the prolonged US federal shutdown as a major disruption to business and customer confidence. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Verdi demands 6% wage increase for Lufthansa ground staff: Ahead of upcoming collective bargaining, trade union Verdi has presented demands to boost wages by six percent for more than 20,000 Lufthansa ground employees, underscoring growing labor pressures in aviation services. (Source: Airliners.de)
- British private equity firm CVC acquires Smiths Detection: As part of a strategic portfolio expansion in airport security technology, CVC has completed the acquisition of Smiths Detection, a key global provider in the sector. (Source: Airliners.de)
- Sudden CEO change at Qatar Airways raises questions: Qatar Airways announced an immediate replacement of CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, just two years after he succeeded Akbar Al Baker. Hamad Ali Al-Khater, COO of Hamad International Airport, steps in with no further details disclosed. (Source: The Loadstar)
Industry Challenges & Other Highlights
- IndiGo faces turmoil after massive flight cancellations: India’s largest airline has already refunded roughly 80 million euros worth of tickets amid ongoing operational chaos that has sent its share price tumbling. Full resolution is not expected before mid-week. (Sources: Cargomagazine.nl, Luchtvaartnieuws.nl)
- EU aviation passenger numbers continue to grow: The European Union saw further increases in passenger traffic last year, with Amsterdam Schiphol remaining the third busiest airport in the bloc, underscoring steady demand in European aviation. (Source: Luchtvaartnieuws.nl)
- Beijing court orders Malaysia Airlines to compensate MH370 victims’ families: In a landmark ruling, a Chinese court has mandated compensation payments exceeding €350,000 per victim to families affected by the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. (Source: Airliners.de)
- US President intensifies antitrust scrutiny on food supply chain logistics: A presidential executive order demands investigations into price-fixing, foreign ownership, and anti-competitive conduct within US food logistics, signaling potential ripple effects for related sectors including airfreight. (Source: The Loadstar)
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily YouTube video summary providing deeper insights into these topics and more.
Your Airfreight Insider editorial team