Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – July 30, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of Airfreight Insider’s Daily Briefing, your go-to overview for the latest developments in the air cargo and aviation logistics industry. From shifting tariffs reshaping Asia-Pacific trade to leadership changes and fleet updates, here’s what you need to know as we close out July.
Asia-Pacific Air Cargo Hit Hard by New US Tariffs – Industry Faces Pressure
Starting August 1, the Asia-Pacific air freight market braces for significant disruption as new US reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% come into effect, impacting exports across the region. Shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines expect to grapple with rising freight rates, capacity constraints, and increased uncertainty amid ongoing policy ambiguity and volatile weather patterns. These tariff shocks threaten to alter established trade flows and put additional pressure on an already complex market landscape.
In parallel, Brazil’s government has pledged support for Embraer in response to these measures, with potential credit assistance aimed at cushioning the impact of the US import duties. The 50% tariffs were announced by the Trump administration and are expected to hit from August 1 onward, adding further complexity to global supply chains.
Airline & Fleet Updates: Indigo Boosts Europe Service – Emirates and Air France Adjust Fleets
The Indian low-cost carrier Indigo is scaling up its European network in response to robust demand. From September 20, Indigo will increase its Mumbai-Amsterdam flights to six times per week, with additional frequency boosts on other European routes planned from mid-October. This expansion underscores growing passenger and cargo flow between India and Europe.
Meanwhile, Emirates announces a fleet change on its Düsseldorf route for Summer 2026. The airline will operate both daily flights from Dubai exclusively with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, replacing previously used Airbus jets. This switch could impact cargo capacity and service offerings on these flights.
Air France’s regional subsidiary HOP! has added three former KLM Cityhopper Embraer 190 aircraft to its fleet within a month, signaling a strategic move to optimize regional networks and enhance connectivity.
Additionally, Dutch carrier Transavia introduced its retro-themed A321neo on Rotterdam The Hague Airport for the first time, demonstrating a continued modernization of mid-range fleets focused on passenger experience and efficiency.
Leadership & Labor Developments
New leadership appointments and workforce challenges continue to shape the sector. Air New Zealand named Nikhil Ravishankar as its new CEO, effective October 20, succeeding Greg Foran. Ravishankar, previously the airline’s Chief Digital Officer, is expected to steer the company through its next phase of growth and digital transformation.
Labor tensions surface in the US as United Airlines flight attendants rejected the proposed new labor contract, indicating demands beyond mere wage increases. This ongoing dispute could have ripple effects on service reliability and operational stability.
At Lufthansa Cargo, the union-backed list Freightdogs United gained two supervisory board seats, highlighting growing union influence in strategic decision-making within major air cargo firms.
Safety & Regulatory Concerns: Air India Under Scrutiny
The Indian aviation regulator identified over 50 safety violations during inspections at Air India, including seven categorized as severe and several issues found in cockpit operations. The airline has been ordered to address the defects promptly to comply with safety standards. This marks a critical moment for one of the region’s largest carriers amid ongoing challenges within the Indian aviation market.
Airport and Infrastructure News
On the airport front, the Hamburg Airport inaugurated a new souvenir shop near Gate C08, offering a mix of maritime-themed memorabilia and local design products aimed at enhancing passenger experience.
Meanwhile, Spanish airport operator Aena announced a 6.5% increase in airport fees for 2026 to fund expansion projects in Madrid and Barcelona designed to better accommodate growing traffic from Asia and the Americas. The company also reported a 10% rise in net profits for the first half of 2025, fueled by strong international traffic.
Miscellaneous
Japan’s travel sector remains affected by a recent tsunami warning following a powerful earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, causing disruptions across road, rail, and flight networks during a key tourist season.
UPS reported a strong Q2 2025 with consolidated revenues of $21.2 billion, reflecting steady execution of its strategic transformation amid a challenging global trade environment.
In Germany, government insiders revealed that the previously discussed reduction of the aviation tax will not proceed for the time being, maintaining current fiscal conditions for air travel.
Spotlight: Upcoming & Ongoing Industry Highlights
- airliners.de just released the aircraft calendar for 2026 – preorders are open, with exclusive giveaways for annual subscribers.
- Watch today’s Airfreight Insider YouTube video for detailed analysis of these developments and their impact on your operations.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update as we continue tracking the fast-moving airfreight landscape.
Your editor,
Airfreight Insider Team