Daily Briefing – September 21, 2025
Good morning, logistics professionals. Here’s your concise overview of the most pressing news and trends shaping the airfreight and aviation sectors today.
Massive Cyberattack Disrupts Major European Airports
A large-scale cyberattack on a key IT service provider for airport check-in and boarding systems continues to hamper operations at several major European hubs, including Brussels Airport, Berlin Brandenburg (BER), and London Heathrow. Brussels Airport, in particular, remains severely affected, having canceled up to half of its outbound flights over the weekend to prevent long queues and last-minute cancellations. BER saw only a quarter of its flights depart on time amid ongoing technical issues, with temporary fallback to paper-based procedures. Notably, Dutch airports such as Schiphol and Rotterdam The Hague appear unaffected by the attack, according to official statements.
This cyber incident highlights ongoing vulnerability within the aviation sector’s IT infrastructure, with ripple effects still unfolding across Europe. More details as reported by aeroTELEGRAPH, luchtvaartnieuws, and airliners.de.
Fleet and Leadership Updates Shake Up European Airlines
In personnel news, Swiss CEO Jens Fehlinger publicly defends the controversial Frankfurt base relocation as part of cost-cutting measures amidst a potential wave of layoffs. Meanwhile, Ulrich Lindner has taken over as CEO of Discover Airlines, and Gulf Air has appointed a new chief, Gauss, signaling strategic leadership shifts in the regional airline landscape.
Meanwhile, Air Saint-Pierre, the small carrier serving the French overseas territory of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, plans to retire its Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II fleet by March 2026, earlier than initially expected. The accelerated phase-out is driven by pilot shortages—one of only two specially trained pilots is leaving the company.
New Freighter Route Launch by JD Airlines Between Shenzhen and Singapore
JD Airlines, the cargo arm of Chinese logistics giant JD Logistics, has commenced a thrice-weekly freighter service connecting Shenzhen and Singapore. Using Boeing aircraft, the new route strengthens air cargo connectivity within the Asia-Pacific region, offering fresh opportunities for supply chain efficiency on this strategically important corridor.
Safety Concerns: Additional Pilot Training Recommended After Antonov An-24 Crash
Following the recent crash of an Antonov An-24 operated by the Russian airline Angara near Tynda, the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) recommends enhanced pilot training focused on the correct use of altimeters. This move comes as investigators highlight altitude instrument handling as a critical factor contributing to the accident.
Unexpected In-Flight Medical Emergency on Brussels Airlines Flight
A Brussels Airlines flight bound for Málaga was diverted to Toulouse after a passenger fell seriously ill onboard. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts, the individual died upon landing. The incident underscores the challenges airlines regularly face in managing medical emergencies during flights.
Feature Story: The Strange “Fake Town” on Boeing’s Factory Roof
In an intriguing piece of aviation history, the U.S. Army once installed a fake miniature town atop one of Boeing’s production halls during World War II. This decoy, designed to confuse potential Japanese bombers, helped protect key manufacturing assets. The story sheds light on innovative—and sometimes bizarre—war-time measures to safeguard critical aviation infrastructure.
Opinion & Industry Insights
In the latest Gedankenflüge podcast episode, David assesses why Germany still lacks a formal passengers’ lobby, a discussion that ties into ongoing debates around the BER night flight ban. The episode further touches on the evolution of remote tower technology and recent legal battles involving Air India, reflecting the complex interplay of innovation, regulation, and passenger advocacy in modern aviation.
Jobs & Opportunities
The airfreight sector continues to seek qualified talent. This week’s job spotlight features openings for apron controllers, security managers, and department heads across Europe. For logistics professionals eager to take the next career step, details and applications can be found on airliners.de’s aviation job portal.
Stay tuned for our daily updates and video briefing tomorrow for more insights from the dynamic world of air cargo and aviation logistics.