Daily Briefing – August 18, 2025
Good morning, airfreight insiders! Today’s briefing covers key developments across the air cargo and aviation landscape — from airline operations and labor disputes to infrastructure expansions and strategic partnerships shaping the future of the sector.
Labor Disruptions Impact Airlines’ Outlook
Air Canada has withdrawn its 2025 Q3 and full-year forecasts amid an ongoing strike by its flight attendants’ union, CUPE, which began over the weekend and has brought the carrier’s operations to a near halt. The labor dispute injects further uncertainty into an already challenging environment for North American airlines.
Meanwhile, operational challenges continue to plague European flights: A Condor aircraft en route from Corfu to Düsseldorf was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Brindisi, Italy, due to an engine issue. Fortunately, safety protocols worked as intended, with no reported injuries.
Strategic Moves and Partnerships in Cargo and Passenger Airlines
Cathay Pacific and Brussels Airlines have launched a new codeshare partnership within Europe, covering seven key routes out of Brussels, including connections to Stockholm and Copenhagen. This reflects a broader trend of airlines leveraging partnerships to enhance network reach and cargo connectivity.
Similarly, Riyadh Air signed a five-year agreement with SATS Saudi Arabia to expand its cargo handling capabilities across major airports in the Kingdom, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to grow as a key airfreight hub in the Middle East.
The ECS Group was named exclusive GSSA partner for Asiana Airlines’ global belly cargo network, covering 33 locations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This partnership is expected to enhance Asiana’s cargo footprint significantly.
DHL Expands Capacity with New Frankfurt Airfreight Warehouse
DHL Global Forwarding has commenced full operations at its state-of-the-art cargo warehouse at Frankfurt Airport, located in CargoCity South near Gate 31. The new facility boosts the DHL Group’s capacity substantially, with the capability to handle up to 300,000 tons of freight annually. This investment underscores Frankfurt’s continuing role as a leading European logistics hub.
Airbus and Aircraft News
In a curious operational note, ITA Airways has been flying one of its Airbus A330s (registration EI-EJP) without the right winglet for several months—a detail confirmed safe but nonetheless unusual. The airline has not provided further commentary on the missing winglet.
On a more positive note, Airbus Defence and Space recently completed the 16th delivery of the C295 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force, marking a significant milestone in India’s domestic defense manufacturing efforts. The deal includes plans for India to build 40 additional units.
Market and Traffic Developments
German airports reported growth in passenger numbers for June compared to last year. However, the figures remain below pre-pandemic levels, with domestic traffic remaining particularly subdued. This signals uneven recovery dynamics in the European aviation market.
On the frequency front, KLM is doubling its services to Istanbul, increasing from one to two daily flights starting next week, showing rising demand on this strategic route connecting Europe and Turkey.
Technological Advancements and Sustainability Efforts
In China, the state-owned China National Aviation Fuel Company (CNAF) has invested in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility, marking a growing commitment to alternative energy sources within the aviation fuel supply chain.
Meanwhile, travel giant Tui has introduced an AI-powered chatbot named “Theo” to streamline customer service inquiries, reflecting the increasing integration of AI technologies in travel logistics and passenger experience management.
Looking Ahead: Infrastructure and Leadership Updates
Looking to ground transport, Berlin’s traffic senator Ute Bonde has proposed a maglev train connection between the city and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). While environmental groups have voiced concerns, such a project could dramatically improve airport accessibility if realized.
From the organizational side, Lufthansa Cargo’s COO Frank Bauer has joined the board of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, reinforcing the airline’s active role in shaping the regional airfreight ecosystem.
Commentary: Navigating an Optimistic Yet Challenging Market
The German aviation industry is facing headwinds: 60 fewer aircraft in operation and 10,000 job losses underline structural challenges. Yet, amidst political indecision and fiscal hurdles, pockets of resilience remain—particularly in cargo operations and strategic partnerships that promise to reshape the sector’s trajectory.
Stay tuned for more insights and updates tomorrow from airfreightinsider.com.
Sources include aeroTELEGRAPH, Airliners.de, STAT Times, The Loadstar, Luchtvaartnieuws.