North America drives Vienna growth

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January 20, 2026

Vienna Airport achieved a record 313,763 tonnes of cargo handled in 2025, up 5.3% on the previous year. Key drivers were the targeted expansion of long-haul services with additional belly-hold capacity, as well as strong growth in the e-commerce and pharmaceutical segments. The Vienna Pharma Handling Center also recorded a new all-time high, exceeding the previous year’s result by 6.4%.

Traditionally a leading transshipment hub for goods from Asia, the Vienna Cargo Hub benefited particularly from growing volumes to North America.

In 2025, 167,568 tonnes of air cargo were imported via Vienna Airport and distributed to Central and Eastern Europe, up 2.8% compared with the previous record year in 2024 thanks to growing e-commerce volumes from Asia for Europe

Export side tonnages also increased significantly, particularly in the first half of the year, due to US customs policy, the total of 146,195 tonnes exceeding the previous year by 8.4%. Key export markets include Asia and the US.

Future Forwarding opens office in Farnborough, UK

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Chris Lewis

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January 20, 2026

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Future Forwarding has expanded its UK presence with a branch in Farnborough. It will support air, courier, road, rail, sea, and e-commerce movements, led by regional director Patrick Loffler, supported by operations manager, Damien Walmsley.

Founded in the UK in 1977 as a privately-owned, independent logistics provider, Future Forwarding expanded into the US in 2001, with a headquarters in Atlanta. Additional value-added services include customs clearance, warehousing and distribution, cargo insurance, and an online customer portal for shipment tracking.

FedEx Freight board members revealed

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Chris Lewis

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January 19, 2026

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FedEx has announced the ten-member board of directors for FedEx Freight, ahead of its planned spin-off on June 1.

As previously announced, Brad Martin, current executive chairman of the FedEx Corp. board of directors, will be chairman of FedEx Freight. He is also chairman of RBM Venture Company, a private investment company and previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Saks Incorporated and has roles at multiple public companies, including Chesapeake Energy Corporation

John Smith, the incoming president and chief executive officer of FedEx Freight, will also serve as a director. He is currently chief operating officer of US and Canada for FedEx and a member of the executive committee.

The eight other board members are: Jeffrey Davis, the chief financial officer of Dollar Tree, from October 2022 to March 2025 and the chief financial officer of Qurate Retail Group from October 2018 to September 2022; Donald Frieson who was executive vice president, supply chain of Lowe’s Companies from August 2018 to March 2024 and previously spent 19 years within the Walmart organization; Stephen Gorman previously chief executive officer of Air Methods Corporation; Robert King, corporate vice president, internal audit at FedEx Corp. from March 2011 to January 2025; Cindy Miller, president and chief executive officer of medical waste transportation company Stericycle, Inc., to November 2024; Amy Salcido served as president, US of Kyndryl Holdings, a Fortune 500 provider of enterprise technology services IBM in 2021; John Sauerland, vice president; and Samantha Smith, currently staff director of global public policy at FedEx.

((Pic – FedEx board))

Swissport opens its first UK dedicated perishables centre

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Chris Lewis

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January 16, 2026

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Swissport has launched its first dedicated perishables centre in the UK at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with Scan Global Logistics becoming the first customer to operate from the site.

The new facility strengthens the company’s global cool-chain network and supports growing demand for fresh Atlantic salmon.

The 2,694sq m site features temperature-controlled handling areas, operates 24 hours and is designed to handle up to 30,000 tonnes per year. The site also includes a dedicated Border Inspection Post (BIP), enabling immediate airside inspection and clearance of imported goods giving faster release times, reduced dwell periods and helping to protect product integrity.

Swissport will install an automated screening solution in the first quarter of 2026 that allows dense, palletised seafood shipments to be screened without breakdown. Processing fully built units in a single pass, the system reduces handling steps, shortens queue times and allows a more predictable, consistent flow.

Global head of perishables at Scan Global Logistics, Colin Wells, said: “With this technology, we can move perishables through Heathrow more efficiently and with far greater predictability. It improves processing times while maintaining the highest standards of quality and freshness and creates a unique and highly reliable solution for which is a high market demand.”

Scan Global regional chief executive for North Europe, Steen Søgaard, added: “Producers of temperature-sensitive goods depend on predictable capacity and controlled handling, especially as volumes continue to rise. This setup provides a stable platform that supports both daily operations and long-term growth. Swissport’s global cool-chain expertise and operational scale make them a strong partner for the UK market.”

Swissport chief operating officer cargo UK&I, Joe Bellfield, said: “Heathrow is a critical gateway for global seafood flows, and perishables require absolute precision. By bringing our proven cool-chain processes, specialised infrastructure and trained teams to Heathrow Airport, we are strengthening the reliability and predictability that exporters depend on.”

London Heathrow plays a central role in the global seafood supply chain, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of salmon transiting the airport each year, including Scottish production. As direct uplift from origin becomes increasingly constrained, specialised hub operations with predictable throughput are becoming essential for exporters across Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the UK, says Swissport.

The Heathrow perishables centre joins Swissport’s global network of cargo hubs for temperature-sensitive and time-critical goods, It operates 117 cargo centres worldwide, handling around 5 million tonnes of freight annually.

ACS’s flying Ark mounts animal rescue mission

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Chris Lewis

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January 16, 2026

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Air Charter Service has chartered a Boeing B747 to fly animals from Thailand to their new home at a wildlife rescue center in eastern India.
The broker received a call from our client to transport a variety of animals from Bangkok to Ahmedabad, to a sanctuary hosting thousands of similar animals – many rescued from circuses, zoos, or trafficking networks.
ACS Singapore chief executive Brendan Toomey, said: “There was a wide range of different animals that needed to fly on the charter, including zebras, sloths, wallabies, hawks, pacas and raccoons, all of which needed to be monitored by onboard vets throughout the flight. “

The total weight of the animals, their enclosures, their food and the vets came to 50 tons, making a B747 the best choice for the flight.

ACS worked closely with the Thai Civil Aviation Association and the client to ensure all correct export documents were provided, in order to get the permits in a timely manner, with the two week notice period.
Toomey, added: “The representative from our Singapore office on the ground helped coordinate the airport warehouse, a dedicated area and necessary equipment in order to load the animals safely and as swiftly as possible. He then travelled on the charter to help manage the offloading process in India, before the animals’ onward journey to their new home.”

Heathrow saga highlights UK planning pain, says Logistics UK

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Chris Lewis

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January 16, 2026

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The UK’s main cargo gateway, London Heathrow Airport has approved investment to begin work on the third runway planning application, but the move also the struggle involved in getting large infrastructure projects off the ground, says Logistics UK chief executive, Ben Fletcher.

He said: “A third runway at Heathrow will help address the significant shortage of air cargo capacity in the South East, and it is a significant step that funding for the planning application has been agreed. Heathrow Airport is the UK’s biggest port in terms of value, handling over £200 billion worth of cargo every year, and increasing freight capacity should boost the economy by making international connections for UK businesses even easier.

“However, we must acknowledge the tremendous expense and risk involved in building large scale infrastructure projects in the UK. The planning application alone is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and there is still significant red tape to navigate, including CAA approvals and planning reforms, before any ground is broken.”

Fletcher added: “The third runway project will be a good test of the government’s infrastructure strategy. It will become clear whether there really is a long-term strategic view of infrastructure and a genuine commitment to end the stop-start processes that have held back progress in the past.”

Cargo leaps at Maastricht Aachen Airport

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Chris Lewis

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January 14, 2026

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Maastricht Aachen Airport handled 41,636 tonnes of cargo and 7,549 aircraft movements, of which 1,737 were cargo flights, according to its annual results for 2025, published on 14 January.

In 2024, the southern Netherlands gateway handled just 28,448 tonnes of cargo after a dip in cargo volumes following a EUR 35 million runway renovation in 2023.

At the end of 2024, Maastricht Aachen Airport announced its strategy to focus on expanding air freight at the Dutch cargo hub, with a target of 200,000 tonnes by 2030. In 2025 it appointed its first cargo sales executive.

Head of commercial development, Dean Boljuncic, said: “The strong growth in cargo volume last year is down to MST’s continued investment in cargo handling facilities at the airport, particularly in the second half of 2025. We have invested in optimising our handling processes and improving our facilities in the past 12 months, including redeveloping MST’s AnimalPort and partnering with FlowerWatch to modernise perishable cargo operations.”

He added: “Both cargo and passengers are important for MST; however, we expect to see higher and faster returns from our cargo operations, and our strategic focus in this area is clearly paying off.”

Maastricht Aachen Airport recently applied for a new Airport License, which included a proposed runway extension to 2,750 meters which would allow cargo aircraft to depart with heavier loads and to reach more distant destinations.

Stores deal gives FedEx 16,000 Polish pick-up points

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Chris Lewis

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January 13, 2026

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FedEx has expanded its parcel pickup and drop-off network in Poland with an alliance with the Żabka store chain. Customers now have access to over 12,000 new locations to send and receive shipments, bringing the number of FedEx service points in Poland to over 16,000.

Polish consumers are particularly active internet users, says the carrier, with 78% of whom have shopped online at least once in a lifetime and the 23 million Polish consumers who use e-shop services demand delivery experiences that align with their daily routines.

FedEx vice president operations, Nordics and Eastern Europe, Mariusz Mik, says: “Our expanded pickup and drop-off network in Poland gives consumers more choices, convenience, and control over their shipments, while enabling our partners to build scalable, customer-centric logistics solutions.”

The Żabka stores can handle shipments up to 50 × 40 × 30 cm and 20 kg. In the initial phase, they offer domestic services, but international options are planned. The network also supports returns.

FedEx also offers pickup and drop-off services at over 4,000 additional locations, including Kolporter, Epaka, Furgonetka, Delikatesy Centrum, ABC, Groszek, Duży Ben, Stokrotka Express and Shell outlets.

Pointpack S.A., a provider of IT solutions and service infrastructure for the retail and courier sectors, managed the technical implementation of Żabka’s integration into the FedEx network.

Lödige Industries to upgrade Korean Air terminal in New York JFK

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Chris Lewis

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January 13, 2026

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Korean Air has commissioned German-based Lödige Industries to modernise its cargo terminal at New York JFK Airport.

Originally opened in December 2000, the terminal is one of the largest cargo facilities in the eastern US, with a total warehouse floor area of 17,065 m² and an annual handling capacity of 200,000 tons.

The work includes advanced automated systems with two fully automated Elevating Transfer Vehicles (ETVs), enabling more efficient and higher-capacity ULD handling. Fixed transfer vehicles will be removed and replaced with Cargo Pallet Movers and a total of 14 workstations will also be replaced with modern equipment.

Enhancements to Cool Chain facilities encompass a new refrigerated warehouse as well as upgrades to the existing facilities. In the four current temperature-controlled warehouse areas, temperature controllers, roller conveyors, and shutters, among other components.

Korean Air Cargo regional manager, Junho Choi, said: “JFK is our gateway for cargo services along the East Coast and a key hub in our growing global network. By modernizing the terminal with state-of-the-art automation technology, we are ensuring long-term efficiency, higher safety standards, and increased sustainability of our operations.”

Oman Air Cargo to offer Rwanda bellyhold flights from June

By

Chris Lewis

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January 12, 2026

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Oman Air Cargo is to launch a new passenger and cargo route from Muscat to Kigali, Rwanda, route, operated by B-737 aircraft from June 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. It is expected to support the movement of fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, general cargo and express shipments originating in East Africa. and onward connections are available in Muscat to the Middle East, Europe and the Indian subcontinent.