Medical samples travel – so you don’t have to

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January 22, 2026

Brussels Airport has carried out the first test shipments of human cell and blood material for precision treatment for cancer and rare diseases on passenger flights to Dallas as part of the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG) project. The project means that patients in future will not need to travel themselves, which significantly increases accessibility of treatment.

PTLG aims to analyse how precision therapies can be transported safely and quickly and Brussels and its project partners aim to become the first airport to develop an internationally recognised standard for the air transport of these treatments. It is also exploring options for setting up a specialised logistics centre at the airport.

PTLG is a cooperation between Brussels Airport, Pharma.Aero, Air Cargo Belgium and the Antwerp ATMP ecosystem, at.las.

Since November, 10 test shipments of cell and blood samples have been sent from Brussels Airport to BioLabs Pegasus Park, a biotech cluster in with another 50 scheduled.

Precision therapies, including cell, gene and radioligand therapies, are personalised treatments for individual patients. They are highly sensitive, and require fast, reliable transport under strictly controlled conditions, including temperature and lead time.

Brussels Airport has extensive expertise and facilities for the transport of time and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical goods, with 45,000sq m of temperature-controlled storage space.

Upon arrival at Brussels Airport, the test shipments go through customs control and are stored in a temperature-controlled zone while awaiting the flight. They are then transferred to the aircraft in refrigerated containers developed by the airport.

In Dallas, the material is transported to a laboratory at BioLabs Pegasus Park, where it undergoes a visual inspection before being returned to Belgium.

Sensors are used to monitor critical parameters such as lead times, temperature control and traceability and to identify potential risks and bottlenecks.

The results of the test project are expected in the first half of 2026. Based on these findings, the project partners, led by Air Cargo Belgium, will develop an internationally recognised standardised protocol for the logistics chain of precision therapies.

New year, new carrier for Saudi Arabia

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Chris Lewis

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January 22, 2026

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New Saudi Arabia carrier Riyadh Air has launched cargo operations. Riyadh Cargo will offer belly-hold capacity on its wide-body aircraft, of which it has over 120 on order. Riyadh Cargo has already carried cargo between Riyadh and London Heathrow, including garments, textiles, fresh flowers, seafood, tea and coffee.

The carrier has partnered with CHAMPS’s Cargo spot-neo platform and has invested in digitally tracked unit load devices in partnership with Unilode.

Ground handling and hub management are delivered in partnership with SATS Saudi Arabia Company at key including Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah.

It also provides centralized airwaybill control, with round‑the‑clock access to AWB stock.

Riyadh Air plans to increase its fleet to over 180 aircraft and reach over 100 destinations by 2030.

Global Head of Cargo, Pravin Singh, said: “Launching within a live environment allows us to test, learn, and continuously refine how we operate, while delivering real value to our customers from the get-go. The launch of the brand is a foundational step in building a cargo business that grows alongside our network expansion and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics ambitions.”

Snooki the sea turtle takes to the air with a little help from ACS

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Chris Lewis

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January 22, 2026

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Air Charter Service was called on a wildlife rescue centre in North Carolina to get an injured creature to her new home. Snooki the sea turtle sustained a spinal injury several years ago, limiting her mobility and ruling out of a return to the wild. The rescue centre in North Carolina had been searching for a ‘forever home’ for her for some time, before a zoo in Minnesota fitted the bill – where she will enjoy a space almost 50 times the size of her previous home.

However, Snooki couldn’t be out of water for long and needed to be kept warm, so ACS sourced a Falcon 20F aircraft able to regulate the temperature through its internal heating system and ensured that heat packs and blankets were available onboard. It was crucial for her to be kept under moisture throughout the flight, so a handler travelled alongside her in the cargo bay with a hand sprayer, using the crew’s jump seat.

On the day of the charter, one of ACS’s New York team travelled to North Carolina to make sure the loading went smoothly. Snooki’s crate was carefully forklifted onto the aircraft and rigged with netting to give the handler access. Everything ran seamlessly and Snooki arrived in Minneapolis St. Paul Airport in good time, ready for her final short road trip before settling into her new home.

New group to tackle Miami congestion

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Chris Lewis

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January 22, 2026

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The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has welcomed the launch of the Miami Air Cargo Association (MACA) and has pledged to work with it to help the air cargo community tackle challenges, including truck congestion, infrastructure efficiency, and operational resilience.

AfA executive director, Brandon Fried (pictured, third from left), said: “The Miami Air Cargo Association provides an important new platform for collaboration at one of the United States’ busiest cargo gateways. Working together, we will press for solutions to tackle truck congestion and stand up for the day-to-day operational needs of freight forwarders.”

The MACA has been established as a 501-C non-profit organization with full bylaws and an appointed board. Its president and director, Warren Jones (left), said: “The creation of the Miami Air Cargo Association gives our local industry a focused platform to connect, collaborate, and give back.

“We appreciate the Airforwarders Association’s willingness to partner with us on issues that directly affect day to day operations at Miami International Airport, and look forward to working with them.”

The MACA plans a program of five industry lunches in 2026, alongside a fall golf outing, a year-end holiday event, charitable initiatives, and the development of a scholarship program for members.

Steve Hughes takes the reins at Globe Air Cargo

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Chris Lewis

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January 21, 2026

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ECS Group has appointed Steve Hughes as managing director for Globe Air Cargo (GAC) UK, replacing Michelle House, who retires at the end of this year after ten years with the company and 44 years in the industry.

Hughes joins Globe Air Cargo from Wexco Cargo GSSA after seven years as its managing director and, in a career that began in 1998, has worked for British Airways Cargo and Virgin Atlantic Cargo before moving to GSSA management.

He has been working alongside Michelle House since October 2025, to ensure a smooth transition.

Awery appoints two

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Chris Lewis

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January 21, 2026

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Awery Aviation Software has appointed Christian Gessner as Business Development Manager and David Kerr as a consultant.

Gessner brings two decades of experience in air cargo, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and several aviation software providers.

Kerr (pictured, below) has spent almost a decade at American Airlines, before moving on to senior roles at Etihad Cargo and European Cargo.

North America drives Vienna growth

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Chris Lewis

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January 20, 2026

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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

By

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.