Daily Briefing – June 17, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the airfreightinsider Daily Briefing, bringing you the latest and most relevant updates from the aviation and air cargo sectors, straight from the 2025 Paris Air Show and beyond.
Major Aircraft Orders Shake Up the Market
Riyadh Air made headlines by placing a substantial order for 25 Airbus A350-1000s at the Paris Air Show, with options for another 25. This move adds to its existing commitments of 39 Boeing 787s and 60 Airbus A321neos, underscoring the Saudi carrier’s aggressive expansion strategy as it rapidly builds a modern, mixed fleet.
In a related development, AviLease, a Saudi-based aircraft lessor, announced a landmark purchase agreement with Airbus, becoming one of the largest customers of the A350 Freighter (A350F). Its firm order includes 10 A350Fs with options for up to 12 more, alongside a significant acquisition of 30 A320neo family aircraft. This marks AviLease’s entry into the widebody freighter segment and highlights growing leasing market demand for modern, fuel-efficient airfreighters. As reported on multiple platforms including cargofacts.com and stattimes.com, AviLease’s strategic positioning is a sign of evolving market confidence in new-generation aircraft as investment assets.
Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines continues to invest in fleet efficiency by signing a new contract with Pratt & Whitney for GTF engines powering 91 Airbus A321neos, with deliveries starting in late 2026. The agreement includes a long-term engine maintenance deal, reinforcing Frontier’s focus on operational reliability and cost optimization.
Paris Air Show Opens under Challenging Conditions
The Le Bourget event has begun amid a subdued atmosphere following the tragic Air India crash and escalating tensions with ongoing rocket attacks between Israel and Iran. While these developments have cast a shadow over the industry’s mood, key aircraft orders and innovations debuting at the show still signal resilience in global aviation. Notably, Airbus announced leadership changes as Benoit Schultz, former head of Airbus Canada and overseer of the A220 program, will assume the role of Chief Procurement Officer starting October.
Political sensitivity was evident as well: Israeli pavilions at the show were reportedly closed by French authorities due to security concerns related to defense equipment displays, prompting criticism from Israeli representatives.
Innovation and Digitalization in Aviation
On the technology front, Aura Aero reported over 650 pre-orders for its hybrid regional aircraft ERA, valued at more than $10.5 billion. This highlights a growing push for cleaner, more sustainable regional air mobility solutions.
Passenger experience enhancements continue to be a priority as All Nippon Airways expands free onboard Wi-Fi services across domestic and international flights, while Lufthansa rolls out new digital services featuring improved self-service options and the popular “Travel ID” functionality to streamline travel.
Geopolitical Tensions and Impact on Aviation
The German Foreign Office has widened its travel warnings for the Gulf region, now advising against all non-essential travel to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan amid heightened Middle East tensions.
A related note from Nigeria: Air Peace sharply criticized Senator Adams Oshiomhole following airport disruptions and aggressive behavior at Lagos Airport after he missed his flight. Such incidents spotlight ongoing challenges in airport security and ground handling.
Logistics and Operational Developments
Expeditors remains embroiled in ongoing legal proceedings, as the plaintiff in the “Michael Carrabes vs Expeditors” case has lodged an objection to the magistrate’s recommendation, signaling a protracted dispute ahead.
On the security labor front, the union Verdi and the security service provider “FraSec” have agreed on tariff increases aligned with previous agreements with the German Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS), reflecting continued negotiations over workforce conditions in critical airport security roles.
Ryanair has openly criticized air traffic control services in several major European countries, including Germany, urging a stronger intervention by the EU Commission to resolve persistent flight disruptions attributed to air traffic management issues.
New Routes and Services
Turkish Airlines will double its Bremen–Istanbul frequency from the end of June, boosting connectivity to its main hub.
After years of absence, Dan Air, a small Romanian carrier, has resumed passenger flights to Damascus, Syria, with plans for four weekly services and eventual connections linking Berlin.
Humanitarian and Drone Logistics
In humanitarian logistics, Aviation Sans Frontières and Windracers have launched a drone network focused on medical deliveries in Africa. Presented at the Paris Air Show, this initiative aims to overcome significant infrastructure challenges and improve life-saving supply chains in remote regions.
That concludes today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily YouTube video for more in-depth analysis and interviews from Paris Air Show 2025. Until tomorrow.