Saudia Cargo has also signed a joint venture agreement with its long-standing partner in China, TAM Group. The collaboration establishes ‘Saudia Cargo Global’, based in Hong Kong, that will serve as Saudia Cargo’s command centre for Greater China, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and beyond. Saudia Cargo will introduce enhanced services including freighter operations via Hong Kong, e-commerce logistics solutions and specialised pharmaceutical transport.
Eight into One will go
All-cargo carrier Air One has moved eight 12-metre furnace coil boxes from Liège to Abu Dhabi on behalf of heavylift forwarder. Deugro
The cargo was loaded through the nose door of a 747-400 freighter from the fleet of Air One’s affiliated UK cargo airline, One Air and weight a total of 57 tonnes.
Air One markets a fleet of 11 Boeing 747-400Fs for three airline partners, including two nose-loading versions of the Jumbo. In the last five years, it has organised over 3,750 full charters carrying more than 345,000 tonnes of cargo to more than 100 destinations globally.
The arrival of a second nose-loading 747-400 into its managed fleet at the end of 2024 has increased its ability to transport out-of-gauge shipments as well as supporting flying programmes for projects which require a combination of general and outsize freighter capacity.
Awery’s Vitaly Smilianets is TIACA inspiration
Awery Aviation Software founder and chief executive Vitaly Smilianets was awarded the first Inspirational Leader Award at The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Executive Summit in Hong Kong on 25 June.
It recognises individuals who have demonstrated clear leadership and empowered young people in the industry. The winner was selected by a panel of seven industry professionals under the age of 35.
Smilianets’ was commended by the jury for his leadership at Awery and its CargoBooking platform, as well as his continued advocacy for greater digital adoption and data transparency in air cargo.
Three becomes one for DHL in Frankfurt
DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of DHL Group, has officially opened its new air freight hub at Frankfurt Airport’s CargoCity Süd. The 24,500 m² air freight terminal, featuring 54 cross-docks, can process up to 300,000 tons of air freight a year.
It allows existing facilities at Frankfurt Airport to be consolidated at one location, making for more efficient handling, fewer truck movements, and shorter distances for its 100 employees to cover.
Its 3,000sq m of office and social space s also accommodates the European headquarters of the in-house air freight operator StarBroker, which is responsible for booking and coordinating air freight capacities for DHL Global Forwarding and managing controlled flight operations.
The property is built to the latest ecological standards and features a solar roof with a peak output of 2 megawatts.
Swissport makes cargo debut in Italy
Swissport is to launch cargo handling services in Milan Malpensa, Italy.
Its operations are located in a 4,000sq m second-line warehouse in the WTC Malpensa complex and meet the highest industry standards for customs certification, safety, and security.
wissport will initially focus on import handling, pre-customs clearance, and distribution to express delivery service providers. In a second phase, the company aims to develop export operations and expand its offering to general cargo and air freight customers at Milan Malpensa and throughout Italy.
Mark Kunar to lead DHL supply chain in North America
DHL Group has appointed current DHL Supply Chain North America Chief financial officer and chief strategy officer Mark Kunar as North America chief executive. It follows the stepping down of Patrick Kelleher.
Kunar joined DHL Supply Chain in 1996 as a financial analyst and stepped into his current role in 2024 where he has been responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s North America strategy to facilitate growth of products and sectors in the region. He has also played a pivotal role in the company’s recent acquisitions in the region including, in January 2025, Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, CRYOPDP, a leading specialty pharma courier, and IDS Fulfillment, an e-commerce provider.
In his new role, Kunar will be responsible for managing the business across the US and Canada, leading a workforce of 52,000 associates.
ACS promotes two in new-look time critical team
Air Charter Service has made two promotions as part of a restructure of its Time Critical division. Robert Alleman moves to the position of group chief executive officer of ACS Time Critical and in his new will be responsible for the global development of on-board courier and next flight out services.
Andreas Spies becomes the new group chief operating officer. He has been part of the broker’s onboard courier team in Frankfurt for more than seven years and was recently appointed as head of Time Critical Services for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. He now has the responsibility of operational delivery for these products across the group.
WCS starts work on Lyon airport site
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, is taking a 20-year lease on a new air cargo terminal in the CargoPort area of Lyon-Saint Exupéry due to open in summer 2026.
The 5.2-hectare Aéroport de Lyon DC1 site is adjacent to the runway and will offer 19,133m² of warehouse space and 2,441m² of canopy, 4,400m² of temperature-controlled capacity, Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliant, which will be dedicated for pharmaceutical shipments and perishables requiring +2/25°C storage.
The airport is in the heart of the world’s leading vaccine producing regions.
The development project is being carried out by Groupe em2c, Prologis and Lyon Airport authority.
The new site will serve allow consolidation of activities previously spread across multiple sites into a single terminal.
Brazil carrier Azul adds Madrid, Oporto flights
Global GSA client Azul has launched flights between Madrid, Oporto and Viracopos and Recife in Brazil.
It builds on Azul’s existing operations from Lisbon and Paris-Orly,.
The new flights, which began on 10 June 2025, are operated with A330 aircraft, offering 13 additional weekly services and adding 10 tons or 60 cubic meters capacity per flight.
The routes also include five weekly flights from Madrid to Viracopos and three weekly flights from Madrid to Recife, along with three weekly flights from Porto to Viracopos and two from Porto to Recife.
American Airlines honors US D-Day heroes
American Airlines has transported four commemorative statues from Boise to Normandy to honour the legacy of the 8th Air Force.
The sculptures, crafted in Boise, Idaho, crossed the trans-Atlantic in time for a dedication ceremony in France.
The carrier also flew a World War II veteran to France for the ceremony and the 81st D-Day anniversary. This opportunity may be a final return to the beaches of Europe in remembrance of the moment that helped shape the future of the world.
American Airlines Cargo donated the air transportation needed to ensure the safe and timely arrival for the official unveiling.
The tribute includes four life-sized bronze sculptures representing iconic members of the unit: Staff Sgt. Maynard Smith, Col. Robert Rosenthal, Gen. James Doolittle and Col. Donald Blakeslee, chosen for their extraordinary service and courage.
Last year, nearly 70 World War II veterans embarked on the journey of a lifetime to Normandy, France, thanks to American. Among them were the brave airmen from the 8th Air Force, the largest air unit in history and a vital force in securing Allied victory in Europe. They stood once more on the shores they helped liberate, this time as honored guests in remembrance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Eric Mathieu, director of cargo customer experience, said: “When American’s Military and Veteran’s Initiatives team approached the Cargo team about transporting these four commemorative statues from Boise to Normandy, we knew immediately that this mission would be significant. Born and raised in France, now living in the US as an American citizen, I felt incredibly fortunate to work for American and support an opportunity that so beautifully connects both nations.”
