ECS Group has promoted Yousra Khalihamou to commercial director of its EFIS Maroc arm in Morocco, North Africa. She began her journey with EFIS Maroc seven years ago, gaining extensive operational and commercial experience, and was promoted to Supervisor in January 2024. In her new role, Yousra will lead EFIS Maroc’s commercial strategy and elevate EFIS Maroc’s role within Morocco’s cargo market.
Collaboration nets Spanish fish business for IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo is collaborating marine aquaculture company Cooke España to boost exports of Spanish seafood.
Cooke España’s Sea Bass, Sea Bream and Meagre can reach international markets in under 48 hours on IAG Cargo’s temperature-controlled Constant Fresh service.
Spain is currently Europe’s leading aquaculture producer 1, producing around 243,000 tonnes of farmed fish and shellfish in 2023, representing 23% of the EU’s total aquaculture output 2.
Alongside the traditional markets in North America and Asia, Spain’s aquaculture trade with Latin America is rapidly expanding. In 2024, IAG Cargo recorded a 38.5% year-on-year increase in goods shipped from Spain to Latin America.
IAG Cargo recently invested €1.5 million in expanding its perishable goods facilities in Madrid, increasing its capacity by 45%. The M hub now features 1,340sq m of space dedicated exclusively to temperature-controlled perishable cargo.
Regional Commercial Manager for Spain and Portugal, Idoia Martinez, said:
“At IAG Cargo, fish and seafood are among the most temperature-sensitive products we handle. That is why we have prioritised investment in dedicated infrastructure and services that ensure consistent quality in shipments to markets worldwide.
“The success story of Cooke España is a great example of how logistics can unlock global opportunity for regional producers, securing jobs, strengthening local communities and creating new trade routes for Spain’s world-class produce.”
Cooke’s freshly harvested fish is transported from Aguilas to Madrid to be loaded into aircraft holds and flown to international destinations, either directly from the Madrid hub or via London Heathrow.
SpeedX opens Chicago hub
It offers expanded dock doors and floor space to accommodate parcel and freight shipments.
SpeedX has opened 50 US facilities in the past year.
SpeedX founder and chief executive, Chris Zheng, said: “Chicago is both a prime global air gateway and one of the most important hubs for US e-commerce and freight. By investing here, we’re strengthening our operational control and enhancing the efficiency of our network. This superhub is also central to our strategy of connecting SpeedX facilities nationwide through transcontinental linehaul, creating a more resilient and scalable delivery network for the future.”
Persistence pays as first widebody freighter touches down at Brazil gateway
Bringer Air Cargo has operated the first international wide-body freighter to land directly at Navegantes Airport (NVT) in Santa Catarina, about 125 miles south of Sao Paolo on Brazil’s east coast. The region is seen as a fast growing industrial region and entry point for global commerce.
The inaugural Boeing 767-300F, with a capacity of 50 tonnes, touched down from Miami on 26 November.
During the initial ramp-up period, Bringer Air Cargo will operate weekly but it plans to expand to three or four weekly flights as demand increases.
Bringer first set the plans in motion in 2019, but these were delayed by the pandemic and regulatory complexities. Its aeronautical consulting team, working with Motiva Airports, and PACLOG Cargo Terminals, conducted in-depth technical, safety, and infrastructure analyses at NVT, concluding that several upgrades were essential before wide-body operations could take place.
These included runway extension of at least 100 meters to accommodate long-haul cargo aircraft, widening of the emergency lane by 45 meters and upgrades to maneuvering and parking areas to safely receive a Boeing 767-300F.
Bringer Air Cargo is part of the Bringer Corporation Group, founded in 1983. President, Eduardo De Castro, said: “This flight represents more than a new route—it’s a symbol of perseverance, collaboration, and our commitment to connecting markets with greater efficiency. We are proud to help open the door to new trade opportunities for Brazil’s fastest-growing import region.”
E-commerce engine shows signs of slowdown
Christmas came early for global air cargo volumes in November with a further +5% year-on-year boost in demand adding to the seasonal cheer, but the industry’s e-commerce ‘growth engine’ of the past two years is slowing down, according market analysis from Xeneta.
While the demand for the traditionally busiest time of year looked flat heading into the last four months of 2025, September and October’s demand levels were surprisingly robust at +3% and +4% year-on-year respectively. The continuation of this upward trend in November kept the market on track to deliver +4% growth for 2025 ahead of what looks set to be a more challenging year in 2026.
Capacity expansion in November broadly matched demand, although growth in supply over the year remained slower than the demand surge. This gradual rebalancing of demand and supply has still to show up significantly in lower global cargo spot rates, although November’s -5% decline year-on-year to $2.73 per kg was above the corresponding -3% drop recorded in October.
The disconnect suggests carriers are chasing market share at the expense of price discipline, squeezing yields in an already downbeat market. Month-on-month, global air cargo spot rates rose by +6% in November, a more subdued increase than the +9% recorded a year ago.
Air cargo spot rates lower across all major lanes
Across all major trade lanes, corridor-level air cargo spot rates in November were lower than a year earlier. The Europe–North America corridor registered its first year-on-year decline, with rates down -8%. This faster deceleration compares with the global average fall of -5%. Month-on-month, the corridor’s spot rate still rose a hefty +27% in November, but this was well below the +42% surge seen when carriers were shifting freighter capacity towards e-commerce-heavy corridors.
From Northeast Asia, the picture was more resilient. An agile redeployment of freighter capacity from the transpacific to the Asia–Europe market helped smooth overall air cargo yields across both trades. Inbound spot rates into North America and Europe from Northeast Asia recorded only single-digit year-on-year declines in November, while the Black Friday retail season drove double-digit month-on-month gains.
Out of Southeast Asia, by contrast, spot rates to both North America and Europe suffered double-digit declines. This likely reflects a combination of increased carrier capacity deployed to chase nearing 50% demand growth, particularly for inbound North America, and softer volumes linked to e-commerce de minimis restrictions affecting key transit hubs in Northeast Asia. All backhaul trades were subdued, with only modest rate movements, as capacity remained plentiful.
November market performance was certainly better than indicators suggested earlier in the year as many traditional shippers kept to their annual shipment cycles. Greater understanding of the realities of US trade tariffs was also a factor, said Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer.
Actual US tariffs not as bad as feared
“We are now seeing studies on the impact of actual implemented US tariffs and despite all the noise, the global average seems to be in the 10-12% range and not the 30, 40, 50 or 100% levels that were threatened in April. So, while the impact is there and it is unsettling for the airfreight market, it’s not as dramatic as was feared and is not yet hitting consumer demand to a concerning level,” he said.
This situation, however, is likely to change in 2026, van de Wouw added. “Some shippers have absorbed the increases and are yet to pass on these extra costs to consumers, but with stocks running low and inventory replenishment on the horizon, we expect to see more tariff impact on air cargo volumes next year. US consumer confidence is reportedly starting to fall, and higher prices next year are likely to exacerbate this sentiment.” he said.
While acknowledging the air cargo market is ‘busy getting through the quarter’ in Q4, latest data for the industry’s demand ‘growth engine’ of the past two years is concerning, van de Wouw said.
“For e-commerce and traditional air freight, this is by no means a peak season, but it’s a busier season than looked possible a few months ago. But after two years in which the growth of air cargo has been so reliant on e-commerce, there is now a question mark over demand for cargo capacity in the coming year. I doubt the global economic concerns will greatly impact the likes of Temu because of the ability of China’s factories to produce stuff at a very low cost for consumers willing to buy them, but the big question for the air cargo industry is whether China’s e-commerce volumes to the world can keep on growing as they have been?
“The indicators suggest it will be very difficult to maintain – and we’re already starting to pick up on flattish growth of ecommerce year-on -year, which is not something we’ve seen in the last 2 years,” he continued.
China’s cross-border e-commerce flat
Van de Wouw highlighted warning signs for e-commerce volumes heading into 2026. “After 27 straight months of near +40% year-on-year growth, China’s total cross-border e-commerce sales were flat in October, based on the latest market data from China Customs,” he said. “Even robust expansion from China to Europe – up +47% in October – was offset by declines to the rest of Asia, down -3%, and a dramatic -51% drop in e-commerce shipment volumes to the US in this new post de minis environment.”
Despite strong growth in October, e-commerce volumes into Europe could also be impacted by increasing regulation, with the EU set to introduce its own accelerated de-minimis reform in 2026 to close loopholes exploited by low-value shipments.
The EU handled around 4.6 billion such parcels in 2024, with up to 65% believed to be undervalued. 91% of all e-commerce shipments to the EU valued under €150 came from China. In a similar way to the US in 2025, the EU is now aiming to curb undervaluation and level the playing field for domestic retailers.
While the rollout of an EU data hub for e-commerce will not be ready until 2028, a temporary solution is expected in 2026. Earlier proposals included a flat €2 handling fee for shipments sent directly to consumers and €0.5 for warehouse-handled items. Nonetheless, such measures are unlikely to materially suppress demand, considering their marginal impact on cost in comparison to alternatives for consumers.
A greater impact on air cargo demand would come from any changes that slow down the supply chain or introduce hefty extra fees, van de Wouw stated.
Modest low single-digit demand growth in 2026
The air cargo industry will head into the New Year with expectations of only modest, low single digit growth for the year ahead, van de Wouw said.
“We expect supply to grow more than demand in 2026, and that will have an impact on rates. I also do not think low, single-digit demand growth will satisfy the appetite and ambition of freight forwarders, especially the listed ones that need to grow much faster in the market. So, the only way to do that is to grab market share, which would place a further downward pressure on rates in favour of shippers.
“Shippers are asking us what we think is going to happen and, interestingly, we’re also starting to see airlines coming to Xeneta to get a better understanding of shipper rates to validate what forwarders are telling them. Right now, the consensus is the market will do well to achieve demand growth of 2-3% in 2026,” he added.
CargoAi boosts Qatar connections
CargoAi’s CargoMART has launched an Interline solution to enhance connectivity in partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo. CargoMART Interline allows airlines to instantly check and book interline capacity across multiple partners in real time, eliminating manual coordination often across different time zones and reducing operational complexity.
Digital tool gives handler planning with precision
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, has developed a new digital tool using machine learning algorithms trained on 10 years of operational data to deliver forecasts of cargo volumes by flight, truck, and day. It gives each warehouse precise data to align workforce and resources in advance.
The air cargo industry has long struggled with accurate forecasting due to volatile volumes and labor planning has often relied on manual estimates and historical averages, which can result in a 10-15% gap between staffing levels and actual workload.
The Performance Management Platform – Machine Learning Forecast (PMP MLF) helps WFS to accurately forecast volumes using intelligence based on the processing of over 3 million air waybills and historical flight and truck movement records, incorporating seasonality, holidays, and cargo types.
Currently providing forecasts across 9,842 flights and 6,216 truck movements per week across 75 warehouses in 13 countries, the system produces daily forecasts of tonnage, ULDs and piece count, broken down by transport mode (freighter, passenger, and road feeder services), flight or truck number, customer, and warehouse location. These forecasts feed directly into station-level planning tools, giving every location clear and reliable forward data.
WFS can use the tool to detect and plan for volume surges early and adjust resources proactively, shifting labor between teams or sites with greater agility. This reduces Service Level Agreement breaches due to understaffing or overloading and avoids unnecessary overtime or idle time.
WFS says that data collected shows the tool outperforms other forecasting models with a 92-98% accuracy range, even during irregular demand periods.
Phase two was rolled out in summer 2025 including enhanced dashboards and visual analytics, tighter integration with workforce management and rostering tools and customer-level forecasting to co-plan volume peaks.
Senior vice-president for operational excellence, Jimi Daniel Hansen, said: “For many years, cargo handlers have relied on manual scheduling, Excel spreadsheets, or basic rolling averages for forecasting – and we know some still do. By leveraging machine learning within a complex operational network, our goal was to replace reactive guesswork with data-driven clarity to optimize workforce allocation, enhance service levels, and reduce operational waste across our global air cargo network – and we are inspired by the results.
“Predictive planning and precision forecasting means we have achieved a fundamental transformation in how cargo handlers plan and operate.
“All of these benefits are meaningful to our customers. They translate into fewer delays due to staffing issues, improved service consistency, and transparent, data-backed capacity shared in advance.”
DHL thinks outside the box
Most of the vast numbers of consignments that DHL Group moves in a typical year are unremarkable parcels and containers but a few shipments stood out from the crowd in 2025.
For example, in February, DHL transported 17 mountain bongo antelopes from a conservation centre in Loxahatchee, Florida, to a wildlife sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak. These animals are descendants of mountain bongos relocated from Kenya in the 1970s. Today, after decades of poaching, habitat loss, and forest degradation, the species is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 surviving in the wild.
DHL provided a dedicated flight equipped with custom-built crates supplied by a wildlife protection organization. The animals received continuous care from a veterinarian and two bongo specialists. Their new sanctuary offers a secure environment where they can breed and thrive. Their offspring will one day return to the wild, reclaiming Mount Kenya’s forests as their natural home.
A helmet like no other embarked on a tour across continents in March. On its journey, the helmet was signed by all 20 living Formula 1® world champions, including Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion who has withdrawn from public life since his skiing accident in 2013. His wife, Corinna, helped guide his hand to write his initials, “M.S.”, on the helmet – a gesture that resonated deeply with fans around the world. A replica of the helmet was later featured as a raffle prize to help fund the “Race Against Dementia” charity. Founded by three-time Formula 1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart, the organization funds research into prevention and treatments for dementia – a cause close to his heart after his wife’s diagnosis.
In June, 151 life-sized bear sculptures embarked on a 10,000km journey from Wustermark near Berlin to Singapore. The two meters tall United Buddy Bears crafted from weatherproof fiberglass, were launched in Berlin in 2002 to spread a message of peace and tolerance. Every bear is painted by an artist from a different country, symbolizing that nation’s culture and identity.
Weighing a total of 37 tons, the shipment was packed into eight sea containers, loaded by crane onto trucks, and transported to the Port of Hamburg. From there, the bears began their sea voyage to Singapore, where they were displayed for two months, continuing their mission of promoting international understanding.
An unusual passenger boarded a DHL flight from Bahrain to Djibouti, East Africa, in November – Saadoon, a young male baboon. He was found abandoned and in critical condition in Bahrain in 2024, a victim of illegal wildlife trade. After more than a year of intensive care by an animal welfare organization, he needed an environment suited to his species. Djibouti’s climate and ecosystem offered exactly that. DHL flew Saadoon from Muharraq in Bahrain to Djibouti airport, where he was transferred to a specialized refuge near Djibouti City. Custom boxes, veterinary oversight, and an accompanying animal welfare representative minimized stress during the flight. Now living in a sanctuary tailored to his needs, Saadoon shares a new home with a female baboon, essential for social bonding among these intelligent primates. His new surroundings give him a chance to adapt and, hopefully, live freely one day.
DHL delivered the iconic trophy for the CONMEBOL Libertadores Final, South America’s most prestigious club football showdown in Novembeer. The journey began at CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, and ended in Lima, Peru, where the decisive match took place on November 29. Standing alongside Europe’s UEFA Champions League, the CONMEBOL Libertadores brings together the best clubs from across South America, watched by millions worldwide. As CONMEBOL’s Official Logistics Partner, DHL ensured the trophy’s safe and timely arrival. Roughly one meter in height, it traveled in a custom metallic case with a special security lock and was handled exclusively with gloves to preserve its flawless shine
This year, Flamengo of Rio de Janeiro claimed the trophy after an unforgettable all-Brazilian clash against Palmeiras of São Paulo.
Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo sign strategic cooperation
Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo, both members of the Lufthansa Group, have started a new strategic cooperation. While both organizations will maintain their distinct brands, they are aligning closely to unlock commercial and operational synergies in, creating a single face to the customer along with a unified market approach, harmonizing services, shipment flows and operational procedures as well as utilizing one IT platform.
Swiss WorldCargo specialises in high-value, care-intensive, time-critical air freight focused on belly capacity, while Lufthansa Cargo offers both belly and freighter capacity, and a broad network.
Head of Swiss WorldCargo, Alain Chisari, said: “We are building on the complementary strengths of Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo – two brands with distinct identities, shared values, and a continuous commitment to quality and care. By combining our capabilities, expertise, and market presence, we will create new, industry leading synergies and provide greater value to our customers.”
Lufthansa Cargo chief executive, Ashwin Bhat, added: “Thanks to a deeper cooperation, customers will have access to one of the broadest networks in the industry along with a wide product portfolio with highest quality combined with many years of expertise. By aligning the two organizations even closer, we further strengthen Lufthansa Groups’ purpose of connecting people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way.”
Awery signs Cirium data deal
Awery Aviation Software has signed a partnership with Cirium to integrate the latter’s aviation data and analytics integrated into its enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. Cirium provides fleets, schedules, flights, traffic and fares data, and intelligence to airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities.
The partnership will allow Awery ERP users to access this data from directly within the platform, including up-to-date flight schedules and operational data, fleet and aircraft utilisation information, historic flight and performance trends and cost analysis and route planning.