Daily Airfreight Insider Briefing – June 24, 2025
Good morning, logistics professionals. Today, we look back with respect, focus on growing market dynamics, and keep an eye on operational disruptions—and innovations—shaping the global airfreight and air transport landscape.
Remembering Fred Smith, FedEx Visionary (1944–2025)
Fred Smith, the Marine Corps veteran and visionary founder of Federal Express, passed away on June 21 at the age of 80. Smith’s leadership steered FedEx through turbulent times, including the first oil shock shortly after the company’s founding in 1973. His pioneering efforts revolutionized express logistics, making the once “impossible” routine. Industry watchers and logistics professionals worldwide honor his legacy as a trailblazer who shaped modern air cargo and supply chain management. As reported by The Loadstar.
Air Cargo & Trade Lanes: Oceania Faces Limited Ocean Options Amid Growing Air Demand
Exporters in Australia and New Zealand confront increasingly limited ocean freight choices due to ongoing liner consolidation. At the same time, air cargo trade with Asia continues its robust expansion, underscoring the critical role of air logistics in the region. Maersk has announced temporary adjustments to its Northern Star ocean service linking Asia and Oceania, signaling short-term challenges for shippers. This dynamic further elevates the strategic importance of airfreight capacity and reliability for exporters in Oceania’s growing markets.
Operational Disruptions Hit European Hubs
- Leipzig Airport: Modernization works at the Magdeburg railway junction will disrupt IC train services next week, leading to route changes that will temporarily suspend stops at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The interruptions require logistics planners to anticipate alternative ground transport options.
- Amsterdam Schiphol: A cable fire has brought rail access to Schiphol Airport to a halt, complicating travel and cargo transit amid the largest-ever security operation in the Netherlands due to the NATO summit in The Hague. Contingency coordination remains crucial in the coming days.
- Zurich Airport: Tuesday morning saw a United Airlines Boeing 767 abort its takeoff at Zurich, briefly blocking the runway. The aircraft attained roughly 264 km/h before the abort, causing delays and operational ripple effects for flights that day.
Labor Unrest and Workforce Developments
KLM faces a 24-hour strike announced by its ground staff union FNV, starting early Saturday amid stalled wage negotiations. The airline intends to seek a court injunction, escalating the standoff. The disruption threatens short-term operational reliability and underscores ongoing labor tensions in the European aviation sector.
Meanwhile, Fraport’s months-long uncertainty ended with the resignation of the previous works council and the path cleared for new elections following union Verdi’s mediation. A renewed employee representation promises focused collaboration on workplace issues.
On workforce innovation, emerging AI technology in logistics is not expected to replace jobs but will transform skill demands. AI serves to fill hard-to-staff roles and to augment the so-called “next-gen” skilled workforce, ensuring growth stabilizes without large-scale job reductions — a significant reassurance for logistics professionals adapting to digital transformation.
Airlines and Airports: Growth and Strategic Moves
- Airlines expand routes and fleets: Brussels Airlines projects nearly two million passengers this summer and has increased its fleet from 44 to 50 aircraft. LOT Polish Airlines launched daily Warsaw-Thessaloniki flights for summer, with seasonal adjustments planned.
- Air Transat returns to Germany: The Canadian carrier resumes direct Berlin-Toronto flights, with plans for expanded German services hinging on delivery of the Airbus A321 XLR, as outlined by European director Cyril Cousin.
- Swiss and its First A350 with Special Livery: Swiss airline CEO Jens Fehlinger unveiled photos of their inaugural Airbus A350 featuring a unique decal—not paint—marking a historic first for the carrier.
- Transavia updates brand identity: The low-cost carrier will roll out a refreshed logo and corporate design this October, reflecting contemporary design trends and digital improvements.
- Passenger boom at Nürnberg Airport: Over the Pentecost holidays, Nürnberg handled a record 280,000 passengers—a 13% year-on-year increase—with Antalya and Mallorca topping destination preferences.
Industry Safety and Incident Reports
In continuing developments surrounding the Air India crash in Gujarat, nearly all victims have been identified. However, key investigations, including black box analysis, remain underway within India, highlighting ongoing safety scrutiny for air cargo and passenger operations.
In distressing news, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport witnessed a serious security incident when a passenger, reportedly under the influence of drugs, violently assaulted a two-year-old child. Authorities have opened a criminal investigation for attempted murder, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining security in busy international airports.
Market Sentiment and Geopolitics
Airline and travel stocks surged by up to 8% after U.S. proposals suggesting a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The easing geopolitical tensions reduced oil prices, easing pressure on fuel costs—a welcome signal for airlines’ operational expenses.
Maintenance and Partnerships
Standard Aero secured a long-term maintenance contract to service Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines powering Firefly’s ATR 72-500 fleet. This partnership strengthens maintenance capabilities in Southeast Asia, a crucial growth market for regional air connectivity and airfreight services.
Frequent Flyer Perks Expand
Starting July 1, Lufthansa Group’s Frequent Traveller members will gain access to ITA Airways lounges, a benefit previously reserved for senior mileages tiers. This improved lounge access enhances travel experience and loyalty across Europe’s interconnected airline networks.
That wraps-up today’s briefing with vital insights to keep your operations and strategies on point. Stay tuned for our daily YouTube video later today for an in-depth analysis.
— Your airfreightinsider.com editorial team