Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – November 6, 2025
Welcome to your daily update on the most important developments shaping the air cargo and airline logistics landscape. Today’s briefing covers fresh moves in fleet decisions, airline network expansions, evolving cargo strategies, and the latest impacts of US government actions on aviation.
Mixed Fortunes for Major Airlines and Forwarders
DHL Global Forwarding continues to struggle as it remains the “problem child” within DHL Group’s asset-light logistics segment. Despite some positive nuggets in the Q3 results, growth and operational momentum at DHL Global Forwarding remain painfully slow, raising questions about the unit’s near-term turnaround — more in-depth analysis can be found on The Loadstar.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Lufthansa Group revisits its stance on the Airbus A321XLR. The narrow-body long-range jet, first introduced in 2022, had previously been rejected by Lufthansa. However, new evaluations in Frankfurt suggest the airline might now consider integrating the A321XLR after all, potentially reshaping its medium-haul fleet strategy.
Noteworthy growth also comes from Virgin Atlantic, which is adding a daily London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon flight starting March 2026, operated by a Boeing 787-9. This expansion enhances Virgin’s footprint in a highly competitive Asian market.
US Government Shutdown Shakes the Skies—but Key Routes Hold
The looming US government shutdown set for November 7 is triggering significant flight reductions — up to 10% at 40 major airports, possibly wiping out some 1,800 daily flights. However, airlines emphasize that vital domestic routes will remain operational, softening the blow for passengers and cargo flows according to reports from Luchtvaartnieuws and Cargo Magazine.
Safety and Incident Updates
Tragedy struck earlier this week when a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane caught fire shortly after takeoff in Louisville, resulting in at least twelve fatalities, with some still missing. The NTSB is conducting a rigorous investigation, focusing especially on the aircraft’s maintenance history. The accident casts a harsh light on aging freighter fleets and operational risks in cargo aviation.
Industry Moves in Air Cargo and Technology
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has partnered with digital booking platform cargo.one to streamline its air cargo sales and procurement, aiming to boost automation and efficiency in freight capacity management.
On the technology front, despite growing excitement around AI, customers remain skeptical of AI-driven flight booking tools due to trust issues, according to a guest analysis by consultant Linus Benjamin Bauer.
Investment and Expansion News
China’s Cainiao is halting its airport expansion plans at Liège due to a strategic pivot, as reported by The Loadstar, signaling possible shifts in Chinese e-commerce logistic footprints in Europe. On a brighter note, Canada’s Cargojet is maintaining profitability thanks to strong parcel carrier demand and plans further expansion, including a new transatlantic route.
In Europe, Air Europa has repaid its €475 million government loan early—one year ahead of schedule—facilitated by funds from Turkish Airlines, signaling improved financial health and cooperation within the region’s aviation networks.
Green Aviation & EU Initiatives
ZeroAvia, the British-American hydrogen-electric aviation pioneer, secured €21.4 million in EU Innovation Fund support to deploy 15 hydrogen-powered Cessna Caravans in Norway. This project marks an important milestone in sustainable air cargo and regional emissions reduction efforts.
Upcoming Events & Fleet Developments
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announced its 2026 Executive Summit will be held in Warsaw, Poland, from June 1 to 3, with LOT Polish Airlines hosting. The event will undoubtedly foster strategic discussions on air cargo’s future.
Looking toward Asia, Cambodia’s national airline signed a letter of intent with China’s Comac to acquire 20 C909 regional jets—10 firm orders and 10 options—with operations expected to commence by mid-2026. This addition could be a game-changer for Cambodian aviation connectivity.
Airline Profitability Spotlight: Emirates
Emirates Airlines shattered its own records, posting a net profit of $2.7 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025/26, a 13% increase year-over-year. The Dubai-based carrier proudly maintains its position as the world’s most profitable airline, underlining the persisting strength of the Middle East aviation hub. (Sources: Luchtvaartnieuws, Cargo Magazine)
Air France-KLM Navigates Challenges
Despite strikes and cost pressures, Air France-KLM improved its operating result in Q3, though net profits declined. The mixed financial outcome triggered a negative reaction on the stock market, reflecting investor concerns over the airline group’s delicate balancing act.
Market Stability Despite Political and Pricing Concerns
Data confirm that air traffic to the USA remains robust despite tougher entry controls and high fares—a testament to sustained passenger demand even amid geopolitical tensions and cost inflation.
That wraps up today’s airfreight briefing. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s YouTube video and more insights to keep you ahead in this dynamic industry.