German-Kazakh airport pact aims to boost cargo carrying

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November 24, 2025

Hahn Airport in Germany and Kazakhstan’s Aktau International Airport have signed a strategic partnership, focusing on the cargo sector.

The partners say that the deal has already yielded tangible results, with two freighter flights already completed, with two more to follow shortly and further flights planned.

Both airports will engage in a close exchange in areas such as technology, security, customer service, and operations for both the cargo and passenger sectors, as well as expanding trade relations between Germany and Kazakhstan.

Hahn Airport is one of the few airports in Germany with a 24/7 operating license which, it says, makes it an ideal gateway to the Middle East and Asia.

The Kazakh airport of Aktau is in the Mangystau region, the only part of the country with direct access to the Caspian Sea. The airport plans to establish itself as a transit freight hub between Europe and Asia route. Aktau offers a 24/7 customs and border control point, and a direct rail connection is planned.

Aktau International Airport general manager, Meruyert Zholdybayeva, said: “We are committed to the continuous development of our airport and are always seeking valuable cooperation partners. We are highly anticipating this new partnership with Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.”

Hahn Airport managing director and chief executive, Rüdiger Franke, commented: “Through its partnership with Aktau International Airport, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is expanding its global network. We are very excited about the opportunities this cooperation will bring. I am convinced that both airports can support each other in many ways and will benefit immensely from our mutual exchange of expertise.”

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, owned by TRIWO AG since 2023, has a 3,800 meter-long runway and is located in the middle of the “Blue Banana”, one economic area which stretches from Marseille via Switzerland, western Germany and Benelux to. In the first six months of 2025, Hahn Airport handled more than 50,000 tons, up 2.5% compared to the same period last year. In 2024,

Aktau International Airport opened in 1983. Growth of the oil industry in the Caspian region has increased the demand for efficient cargo and passenger transport. It has a 3,048 meters long runway and can handle aircraft of all weight classes. It offers connections to eight domestic and 16 international destinations, including Istanbul and Baku. The cargo terminal covers 2,500sq m and it also offers 24/7 customs clearance.

Emirates drone deal ready for lift-off

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Chris Lewis

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November 21, 2025

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Emirates SkyCargo signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi aerospace company and LODD Autonomous at the Dubai Airshow to explore the development and deployment of next generation air cargo solutions.

The partners will collaborate to validate the use of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft across the airline’s global network, through feasibility studies, regulatory engagement and live demonstrations. Emirates SkyCargo will participate in LODD’s experimental operations through to the end of 2027, providing insight to inform design and development, with a view toward commercial deployment in regional and global markets.

The agreement follows a successful first test flight of LODD’s Hili, an unmanned, hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft developed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi. Hili is fully autonomous from take-off to landing, and offers payload capacity of up to 250 kilograms , and a range of up to 700km.

Freighter # two for Air One

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Chris Lewis

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November 20, 2025

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Air One has taken delivery of its second new 777 freighter from Boeing, to be operated by the group’s affiliated UK cargo airline, One Air. The 107-tonne capacity will join its managed freighter fleet within three months and will operate Air One’s scheduled Hong Kong–East Midlands route, launched in early September, operated four times a week by One Air.

Silk Way West orders two more A350Fs

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Chris Lewis

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November 20, 2025

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Silk Way West Airlines has signed an agreement with Airbus for two additional A350F freighters, bringing its total order for the model to four aircraft.

The airline became the first operator in the Central Asia and CIS region to order the A350F in June 2022.

It has the largest main deck cargo door in the sector, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around industry-standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing model. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.

It can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes, and has a range of up to 8,700 kilometres.

DHL signs largest ever US SAF deal

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Chris Lewis

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November 19, 2025

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DHL Express has signed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreement with US producer Phillips 66 for 240,000 tonners over three years. It is one of the largest SAF deals by a US producer and for the air cargo sector, and forms part of DHL Express’s broader strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 737,000 tonnes compared to conventional jet fuel.

Most of the fuel will be delivered to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), DHL’s US West Coast Gateway, but there are plans for deliveries to other West Coast airports where DHL maintains operations, such as San Francisco International Airport.

The SAF will be produced at Phillips 66’s Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex in California, one of the world’s largest renewable fuels facilities with a production capacity of 150 million gallons per year of neat SAF.

DHL Express has already secured SAF partnerships worldwide including in the Europe, America and Asia Pacific regions since 2021.

The agreement will contribute significantly to DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, which enables customers to reduce their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions using SAF.

Antonov Airlines keeps Chile paper mill turning

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Chris Lewis

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November 19, 2025

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Ukraine-owned Antonov Airlines and forwarder Kuehne + Nagel have delivered urgent paper mill machinery parts from Tallin, Estonia to Chile on one of the carrier’s An124-100 aircraft.

The parts needed to get quickly to the mill during its scheduled shutdown period.

The airline’s commercial executive, Iryna Kyianytsia, said: “A special recognition goes to our load planning team, whose expertise ensured that every required piece was efficiently and safely accommodated within the aircraft. This achievement highlights not only the capabilities of the An-124 but also the outstanding professionalism and collaboration of everyone involved.”

To load and unload seven cargo pieces — the largest weighing about 20 tons — the rear door of the AN-124-100 was used in combination with the aircraft’s internal cranes.

Swissport opens second Liege e-commerce site

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Chris Lewis

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November 18, 2025

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Swissport has opened a 5,500sq m second-line e warehouse at Liege Airport. Dedicated to import parcel handling, it has a capacity of up to 300 tons per day and takes the handler’s total e-commerce footprint at the Belgian airport to 9,000sq m.

it is part of Swissport’s broader strategy to develop scalable e-commerce capacity across key global trade gateways and joins network of specialized e-commerce hubs in Brussels, Milan, Basel, New York JFK and Shanghai.

ECS appoints Subcontinent manager

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Chris Lewis

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November 18, 2025

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General sales agency ECS Group has appointed Girish Kunder as regional manager Indian Subcontinent.He will oversee operations in India and neighbouring markets through Globe Air Cargo and AVS, focusing on strengthening airline partnerships, expanding market reach, and accelerating digital transformation.

IAG to handle MASkargo at Heathrow

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Chris Lewis

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November 18, 2025

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IAG Cargo is to handle MASkargo’s operations at its London Heathrow hub. All MASkargo shipments via London are now processed through the Premia facility at IAG Cargo’s Heathrow base. MASkargo currently operates twice-daily flights connecting Kuala Lumpur and London.

Chief operations officer at IAG Cargo, Adam Carson, said: “Heathrow is a prime gateway for MASkargo, and our hub offers exceptional airside access and world-class facilities, enabling us to deliver the reliability and service excellence that customers expect.”

MASkargo chief executive, Mark Jason Thomas, added: “This collaboration not only reinforces our commitment to delivering reliability and quality for our customers but also strengthens MASkargo’s presence in one of the world’s key cargo hubs. Through London Heathrow, we are able to offer smoother transfer experiences and wider access to major destinations across Europe and the Americas via our network of strategic airline partners.”

Lufthansa steps up Italian partnership

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Chris Lewis

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November 17, 2025

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Lufthansa Cargo has further expanded its cooperation with Rome, Italy-based ITA Airways with the start of the winter flight schedule on 26 October.

The cooperation was agreed when the Lufthansa Group acquired a stake in the Italian airline. Since June, Lufthansa Cargo has been marketing ITA Airways’ cargo capacity on various routes.

Shipments can now be transported under Lufthansa Cargo’s own AWB number 020 on flights originating in Rome-Fiumicino Airport.

The move expands Lufthansa Cargo’s belly capacity by around 20% with Rome-Fiumicino serving as the German carrier’s fifth European hub alongside Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Brussels. It includes up to 30 additional weekly cargo connections to South America (Buenos Aires EZE, Rio de Janeiro GIG, Sao Paulo GRU) and up to 21 additional flights per week to Asia (Bangkok BKK, New Delhi DEL and Tokyo-Haneda HND.

However, connections to and from the US and Canada are currently still excluded until regulatory approval has been obtained

The hub also expands Lufthansa’s intra-European road feeder service.