Daily Airfreight Insider Briefing – September 7, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing. We summarize the latest and most important developments from the aviation and air cargo sectors, delivered for logistics professionals who need to stay ahead in a fast-moving industry.
Labor Tensions in Aviation: Pilots and Flight Attendants Amid Contract Disputes
The labor landscape in aviation remains tense. Canadian Air Canada’s ~10,000 flight attendants have rejected the recently negotiated contract that included wage and pension improvements, though no strikes have been announced yet. Meanwhile, Lufthansa faces potential pilot strikes, as labor dispute pressures rise. Encouragingly, Lufthansa has shown openness to dialogue, aiming to avert disruption. These developments underscore ongoing workforce challenges impacting operational stability in key markets.
Airlines Push for Passenger Experience Enhancements and Route Expansions
US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines is set to offer free WiFi on all flights starting October, partnering with T-Mobile and requiring customers to join their Rapid Rewards program. On the network expansion front, Air Caraïbes is adding a new nonstop route from Paris-Orly to Samaná in the Dominican Republic starting December 15, broadening their Caribbean footprint.
Aircraft Fleets and Industry Moves: Sales, Start-ups and Preservation Efforts
China Southern Airlines is once again trying to sell its ten Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners after failing to find buyers in late 2024, signaling persistent challenges in offloading widebody jets in the current market. In a different vein, the start-up Avatar Airlines, which plans to operate exclusively with Boeing 747s, is making headlines for selling its CEO position for $250,000, promising participation in future profits—an unconventional approach that reflects the risky dynamics of niche carriers.
Meanwhile, aviation enthusiasts are campaigning to save a historically significant JAT Boeing 727 from scrapping in Belgrade, following the recent decommissioning of the last European Boeing 737-300, highlighting growing interest in preserving aviation heritage amid fleet modernization.
Training and Safety in General Aviation
A new study highlights the urgent need for improved pilot training in general aviation to reduce the high incidence of fatal accidents in this sector. Enhancing knowledge and skillsets is considered key to lifting safety standards and preventing avoidable tragedies.
Policy and Regulatory Shifts: Compensation Rules and Privatization Efforts
The US aviation lobby is celebrating after the Trump administration repealed a Biden-era rule granting passengers cash compensation for substantial flight delays—a move seen as easing regulatory burdens on airlines. Meanwhile, in Europe, Portugal’s government finalized the conditions for the partial privatization of TAP Air Portugal, allowing private investors to acquire up to 44% ownership, a pivotal step in reforming the national carrier’s structure.
Industry Readiness and Preparedness: Emergency Drills and Agri-aviation
Curaçao Airport is conducting a major disaster simulation on September 6 to improve readiness for aircraft accidents, working closely with the island’s crisis management teams. In parallel, Let Aircraft Industries, part of the Czech Omnipol group, delivered two L-410 NG aircraft to Thailand’s royal rainmaking and agricultural aviation department to support environmental and farming operations via aerial interventions.
Market Trends: Shifting Textile Production Impacting Air Cargo Flows
Strategic shifts in global textile production are redrawing air cargo maps, as countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam increasingly dominate apparel manufacturing. This reallocation influences freight demand and routing, emphasizing the need for air cargo stakeholders to adjust logistics networks accordingly.
Job Market Highlights and Independent Journalism Call
The weekly job spotlight features new openings for Aircraft Loading Supervisors, Tourism Specialists, and Aviation Engineers—key roles in a dynamic sector hungry for talent. Additionally, independent aviation journalism continues to rely on supporter contributions to sustain high-quality reporting on both headline stories and niche insights that keep industry professionals informed.
That’s it for today’s briefing. For more detailed insights and daily video updates, visit airfreightinsider.com. Stay tuned for developments that keep the airfreight and aviation industries moving forward.
— The Airfreight Insider Editorial Team