Daily Briefing – July 18, 2025
Welcome to your daily snapshot of the airfreight and aviation world. Today’s briefing highlights key developments in airport operations, fleet utilization, leadership changes, and strategic expansions across the industry.
Swiss Deploys Boeing 777 on Zürich-to-Geneva Route
In an unusual move, Swiss International Air Lines will operate a Boeing 777-300ER on an internal Swiss route between Zürich and Geneva on October 18, 2025. This one-time deployment of a long-haul aircraft on a domestic leg appears aimed at operational or positioning needs, offering an uncommon sight in European short-haul aviation. The aircraft will operate as flight LX2802 from Zürich to Geneva in the morning and return as LX2807 shortly after. The move was first reported by Aeroroutes and underlines continuing flexibility in airline fleet usage strategies.
Airport Developments: Schiphol Growth Despite Challenges & Brussels Airport Flight Cap Setback
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol showed resilience in June 2025, handling 6 million passengers — a 1.3% increase year-over-year — despite a temporary flight cap during the NATO summit that lowered available slots by roughly 10%. Flight numbers decreased slightly by 0.3% to 40,737 flights, reflecting operational adjustments during the event. Additionally, Schiphol celebrated the opening of its first Dutch Eataly outlet in the renovated Lounge 1, enhancing passenger amenities ahead of European flights.
Meanwhile, Brussels Airport faces regulatory hurdles after the Flemish government’s attempt to impose a flight limitation of 240,000 flights per year by 2032, including night flight restrictions, was struck down by the permit adjudication council. The ruling mandates that a holistic “balanced approach” procedure be followed before any airport flight caps can be legally enforced. This decision, reported by Luchtvaartnieuws, delays formal noise and capacity management measures at Brussels.
Leadership & Workforce News: New CIO at National Airlines, and Controversy at ICAO Ambassador Appointment
U.S.-based National Airlines has appointed Chris Huff as its new Chief Information Officer. Huff brings extensive experience in IT strategy, cybersecurity, and product development, now overseeing both National Airlines and National Air Cargo’s global technology functions. His leadership is expected to bolster the carrier’s digital infrastructure amidst increasing demand for operational efficiency.
In Washington, former U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated ex-Delta Airlines pilot Jeffrey Anderson as the United States’ representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The post has remained vacant since the resignation of aviation hero Sully Sullenberger in July 2022. However, the nomination faces criticism from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which questions Anderson’s qualifications, marking the appointment as controversial within aviation labor circles.
Network Expansion and Route Launches
- KLM plans to launch a new winter seasonal route from Amsterdam to Kittilä, Finland, starting November 23, 2025, operating weekly flights through March 22, 2026. This move taps into the growing demand for Lapland winter tourism.
- Corendon Airlines began service in early July on a new route between Edremit on Turkey’s Aegean coast and Düsseldorf, featuring twice-weekly flights scheduled through mid-September.
- In northern Germany, the Skyhub PAD initiative to maintain a regional connection from Paderborn/Lippstadt to Munich received a strong boost with 23 additional investors onboard, bringing the total to 59 supporters committed to sustaining critical regional air links.
- Aegean Airlines has added two Airbus A321XLR aircraft to its fleet, with deliveries scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026. The extra-long-range narrowbodies are expected to fuel long-haul and thin route expansion.
Industry Services and Infrastructure Developments
Standard Aero has expanded its CFM56-7B engine services by introducing a new exchange/trade program, allowing operators to swap non-serviceable engines for fully serviced units. This additional flexibility aims to reduce downtime and enhance maintenance efficiency for operators flying with the widely used CFM56-7B engine model.
FedEx has inaugurated a new 38,000-square-foot air cargo facility near Manchester Airport, UK. The strategically located site is designed to increase capacity and improve logistics efficiency for domestic and international freight handling in this key European market.
Other Notable Updates
- The Port of Porto in Portugal is targeted for a significant airport expansion to become the country’s second major aviation hub, supporting TAP Air Portugal’s growing network ambitions. A detailed roadmap is expected before year-end.
- Eurowings has introduced new onboard service elements, including a signature cabin scent blending sea salt, pepper, and floral notes named “Burgundy Breeze,” aiming to enhance passenger experience through innovative sensory branding.
- Hamburg Airport is preparing for a pronounced surge of passenger traffic as the summer holiday season peaks, issuing traveler tips to ease congestion and improve passenger flow during the busy period.
- Russian authorities have formally charged a former Aeroflot executive with embezzlement related to aircraft leasing transactions — reportedly involving a loss of 3.8 billion rubles — reflecting ongoing governance scrutiny in the country’s aviation sector.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s briefing where we’ll cover the latest in airfreight innovation, policy updates, and global fleet moves. For now, safe flights and productive operations!