Daily Briefing – September 13, 2025
Welcome to today’s airfreightinsider.com Daily Briefing, your concise update on the latest developments shaking the air cargo and aviation sectors. Today, we cover regulatory controversies, airline growth strategies, emerging tech, and infrastructure expansions shaping the industry.
Regulatory Scrutiny at Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
A former legal expert at the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) has publicly raised serious allegations regarding the agency’s Flight Medical Department. She claims there are false medical assessments, inefficient processes, and neglect of critical regulations. This scrutiny highlights potential systemic issues within Germany’s aviation regulatory framework, prompting calls for reforms. (Source: aeroTELEGRAPH)
Workforce Demand and Career Opportunities
The aviation sector continues to face talent shortages. Numerous job openings for aircraft mechanics, administrative staff, and instructors are currently available, especially listed on airliners.de’s dedicated aviation career portal. For logistics and aviation professionals considering a career move, this represents a notable opportunity to “take off” into new roles within the industry.
Airline Network Expansion and Fleet Moves
- Singapore Airlines welcomes Steven Yit as the new head for its Benelux operations, with ambitions to expand presence at Brussels and Schiphol airports, aiming for stronger growth in the region.
- Air Corsica is launching seasonal flights from Vienna to Korsica starting Summer 2026, marking a strategic push into Central European markets.
- Gol Linhas Aéreas unveils its largest summer schedule yet, boosting flight capacity by 15% with nearly 65,000 flights planned between December 2025 and February 2026.
- Camair-Co, Cameroon’s national airline, reveals an ambitious plan to more than double its fleet from 8 to 18 aircraft by 2028, reinforcing its position in Central Africa.
Fleet and Product Developments
The Lufthansa Group is undergoing massive fleet expansion, including new long-haul jets slated for Discover Airlines. Meanwhile, Düsseldorf Airport is eyeing the arrival of the Airbus A321 XLR to bolster medium- and long-range connectivity.
In a notable second-hand market move, the first pre-owned Airbus A380 (registration 9H-MIP) has been transferred from Tarbes, France, to Dresden, Germany, operated by leasing company Hi Fly. The Superjumbo’s revival event sheds light on aircraft lifecycle management trends.
On the flip side, Korean Air has halted controversial cabin reconfiguration plans on its Boeing 777-300 fleet following strong passenger and political backlash over seat density increases and narrower economy seats.
Regulatory and Market Challenges
In Southeast Asia, Thailand’s Pilots Association has taken legal action to block the deployment of foreign wet-lease pilots in domestic operations, citing recent procurement changes that favored international partners such as Avion Express. The outcome could impact wet-lease market dynamics in the region.
The Netherlands announced a significant hike in its air travel tax starting 2027. Tickets for intercontinental flights exceeding 5,500 kilometers will face a steep increase to over €70 per ticket, while exemptions apply for the Caribbean territories. This tax rise could influence demand on long-haul routes originating in the Dutch market.
Innovation and Sustainability
The Swiss Electrifly-In event is currently underway at Bern-Belp Airbase, showcasing advances in clean aviation technologies. Among the highlights is the partnership between Smartflyer, a Swiss aircraft manufacturer, and H55, an e-propulsion specialist providing batteries for Smartflyer’s SF-1 electric plane. This reflects the continued momentum toward sustainable air mobility solutions.
Latam Airlines Group has started trialing a new AI-powered virtual agent for flight bookings in Chile, with plans for expansion to Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. This initiative aims to streamline customer experience and reflects growing AI integration across airline digital services.
Airport Developments
Airport infrastructure is keeping pace with the aviation growth: Kambodscha has opened its second airport within just two years, the Techo International Airport near Phnom Penh, to support growing passenger traffic and regional connectivity.
Elsewhere, Uzbekistan successfully completed construction of the Tashkent-East airport (UTTP), officially inaugurated symbolically by the country’s president. This new facility aims to bolster the Central Asian aviation hub capacity.
Safety and Incidents
An Airbus A220-300 operated by Jetblue was grounded at Richmond Airport after its wingtip struck the terminal during pushback. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscores ongoing challenges in ground operations safety.
Summary
Today’s briefing highlights a sector balancing rapid expansion with growing scrutiny—whether from regulators, environmental advocates, or passengers. Fleet growth in emerging and established markets is paired with new sustainability initiatives and digital innovation. Meanwhile, regulatory and labor disputes continue to loom, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies in an evolving global landscape.
Stay tuned for our daily video update on airfreightinsider.com’s YouTube channel, where we discuss these updates and more.