Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – August 28, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing, where we bring logistics professionals the most relevant updates and trends shaping the air cargo and aviation sectors worldwide.
Qantas Accelerates Long-Haul Fleet Expansion and Project Sunrise Progress
Qantas continues to push forward with its ambitious Project Sunrise, as the first Airbus A350-1000 Ultra Long Range (ULR) aircraft is slated for final assembly in Toulouse this October. This milestone brings the airline closer to launching some of the longest nonstop flights globally.
In addition, Qantas has increased its order for the Airbus A321 XLR, marking a notable shift: these narrowbodies will be fitted with premium cabins featuring lie-flat business class seats and individual entertainment screens, tailored for extended long-haul operations. This is a clear sign of the airline’s strategic focus on flexible, efficient medium-haul capacity with enhanced passenger experience.
On the financial front, Qantas reported a record 15% rise in annual profits, accompanied by dividend payouts and strong stock performance, underpinning the solid momentum behind its network and fleet expansion.
Airline Operators and Fleet Adjustments in Europe and Beyond
Swedish carrier Braathens is exiting its Airbus A320 fleet to concentrate exclusively on ATR 72 aircraft operations in wet-lease arrangements. This downsizing reflects a broader trend among smaller airlines streamlining fleets to increase operational flexibility and cost efficiency.
Meanwhile, Brussels Airlines announced a 12% increase in passenger volumes over the summer months compared to last year, benefiting from its expanded fleet that now includes leased Airbus A220s from AirBaltic.
Saudi newcomer Riyadh Air has also celebrated a notable delivery milestone with its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner rolling off the line in Charleston, hinting at the rapid build-up of its long-haul services.
Industry Leadership Moves and New Entrants Strengthen Air Cargo Landscape
Group Concorde has reinforced its leadership team by appointing Praveen Narayanan as Vice President for Asia Pacific and Ralph Van Eijk as Chief Airline and Marketing Officer, effective September 1. Their experience is expected to boost the group’s footprint in one of the fastest-growing air cargo markets.
South Korean start-up Sirius Airlines, hindered by previous financial hurdles, has new ownership under Aureum Private Equity and is reapplying for its air operator certificate. This revival signals ongoing interest and challenges in launching new dedicated freighter operations in Asia.
Operational and Regulatory Developments Affecting Air Travel
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed raising the mandatory retirement age for pilots in multi-crew cockpits from 65 to 67 years. This move responds to acute pilot shortages amid increasing global air travel demand, aiming to retain experienced crew longer without compromising safety.
Concurrently, Austria’s air traffic control agency Austro Control faces a shortage of 80 air traffic controllers despite managing up to 4,000 daily flights—highlighting personnel constraints that risk operational efficiency during peak travel seasons.
Across Europe, Ryanair is adjusting its commercial strategy by cutting capacity at smaller Spanish regional airports following planned fee hikes by airport operator Aena. At the same time, the low-cost carrier is expanding its distribution channels with “Travel Agent Direct,” allowing traditional travel agencies direct access to Ryanair’s fares at standard rates, a notable shift towards hybrid distribution models.
Airport Infrastructure and Sustainability Initiatives
Hamburg Airport is set to enhance its sustainability profile by constructing a new wind park comprising six turbines. The park’s estimated annual output of 100-110 gigawatt-hours will more than double the airport’s electricity consumption of around 40-45 gigawatt-hours, allowing surplus energy to be sold back to the grid.
Additionally, technological upgrades at German hubs Frankfurt and Munich include the rollout of advanced CT scanners at security checkpoints. This innovation enables passengers to carry significantly larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage, reversing customs limitations held for decades.
Recovery and Market Performance: Mixed Signals from Key Players
British airports have surpassed their pre-pandemic passenger numbers in Q2 2025, reporting over 80 million travelers and setting the stage for record summer traffic figures. This underscores robust demand recovery in mature Western markets.
Conversely, Air New Zealand faces ongoing challenges delaying full network recovery to pre-COVID levels until 2028. The airline cited delays in Boeing 787 deliveries and costly engine repairs as key factors. These issues have led to a profit downturn, recording the weakest results in over a decade, signaling caution despite the overall market rebound.
Research & Development Updates
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) recently completed crucial structural vibration tests on its D328 UpLift research aircraft. The two-week trial series generated data to validate simulation models, advancing the development of hybrid-electric propulsion technologies.
That wraps up today’s briefing. Stay tuned for our daily YouTube video analysis where we delve deeper into these stories and trends. For real-time updates, follow us on our social channels and visit airfreightinsider.com.
Your Airfreight Insider Editorial Team