Another cargo airline downsizes operations as parcel business dries up

AirExplore, a Slovakia-based contract carrier for other airlines, is disengaging from cargo flying because of limited demand for narrowbody freighters and will focus on its passenger business, FreightWaves has learned.

The news follows other recent examples of small or midsize airlines that provide supplemental capacity to network carriers discontinuing or downsizing cargo operations amid a glut of standard-size freighters and stagnant parcel volumes.

AirExplore, a subsidiary of Lithuanian-owned...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/another-cargo-airline-downsizes-operations-as-parcel-business-dries-up

Air France-KLM trims Airbus order for A350 freighter

Air France-KLM has downsized its order with Airbus for the all-new A350 freighter in favor of more passenger aircraft following another delay for the freighter program.

Air France-KLM Group reduced its order from eight to six A350 freighters and converted the reservation for production slots to two A350-900 passenger jets following last month’s announcement that Airbus has postponed the A350 freighter’s entry into service until the second half of 2027, AFKLM spokesman Gerard Roelfzema said in an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/air-france-klm-trims-airbus-order-for-a350-freighter

From DHL to AC/DC, GlobalX Airlines lands new transport deals

Global Crossing Airlines, a provider of turnkey air transport service for airlines and ad hod charter flights, has inked a short-term agreement to provide airlift in the United States for DHL Express.

The contract is another positive development for the Miami-based airline’s cargo business, which has been slow to catch fire compared to the passenger operation. 

Global Crossing Airlines (OTCQB: JETMF), which operates four Airbus A321 converted cargo jets in addition to 15 Airbus passenger...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/from-dhl-to-ac-dc-globalx-airlines-lands-new-transport-deals

Trump policies make airfreight shippers jittery about downturn

Worries about a slowdown in airfreight shipping to start the year have quickened as President Donald Trump’s policy blitzkrieg begins to impact the global economy, especially small-dollar shipments from China that have fueled air cargo growth for two years. 

The distress is magnified by how quickly conditions have changed from the 12% growth in air cargo demand last year. Air logistics professionals expected market growth to normalize at about 5% year over year once a recovery ran its course,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-policies-make-airfreight-shippers-jittery-about-downturn

SmartLynx Airlines disbanding cargo charter fleet

SmartLynx, a Latvia-based provider of aircraft and crews for airlines, is abandoning freighter operations and its fleet of Airbus A321 converted cargo jets to focus on passenger flying, the company said Thursday.

The for-hire airline, part of Avia Solutions Group, said it is streamlining its fleet to only have narrowbody Airbus A320 and A321 passenger aircraft because a common fleet is less expensive to operate. The announcement indicated SmartLynx Airlines is downsizing the fleet of narrowbody...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/smartlynx-airlines-disbanding-cargo-charter-fleet

Global manufacturing is repositioning — but it’s complicated

The shifting dynamics of global manufacturing and supply chain strategies have created an unprecedented moment of change for logistics professionals, businesses and policymakers alike. The China Plus One strategy, which encourages companies to diversify their manufacturing footprint beyond China, has gained traction due to rising labor costs, trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. 

However, as highlighted in discussions with Dimerco Express Group executives and industry experts,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/global-manufacturing-is-repositioning-but-its-complicated

Ocean carrier CMA CGM commits $1B for US air cargo operation

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping line, will open an air cargo hub in Chicago for its cargo airline division and deploy five factory-built Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, operated by American pilots, as part of a $20 billion U.S. shipping, port and logistics investment plan announced shortly after the company’s top executive met with President Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House.

CMA CGM Air Cargo is a small freighter operation established in 2021 to round out the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ocean-carrier-cma-cgm-commits-1b-for-us-air-cargo-operation

CMA CGM para invertir $ 20B en envío de EE. UU., Capacidades de la cadena de suministro

(Actualizado el 6 de marzo de 2025 a las 8:30 p.m. ET) El envío de contenedores con sede en Francia y el gigante logístico CMA CGM Group anunciaron el jueves que invertirá $ 20 mil millones durante cuatro años en su flota de la fuente de EE. UU., Port Terminals, una aerolínea de carga aérea […]

Esta...

https://fullavantenews.com/cma-cgm-para-invertir-20b-en-envio-de-ee-uu-capacidades-de-la-cadena-de-suministro/?lang=es

CMA CGM to invest $20B in US shipping, supply chain capabilities

France-based container shipping and logistic giant CMA CGM Group on Thursday announced it will invest $20 billion over four years in its U.S.-flag fleet, port terminals, an air cargo airline based in Chicago and warehouses in an apparent effort to align with President Donald Trump’s stated goal of bringing more industrial activity to America.

“I am proud to build on our long-standing relationship with the United States through this commitment of $20 billion to the country’s maritime future and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cma-cgm-to-invest-20b-in-us-shipping-supply-chain-capabilities

Turkey’s ULS Cargo Airlines to receive 1st A330 freighter in March

Air Transport Services Group, a major lessor and operator of freighter aircraft, expects to deliver its first Airbus A330-300 converted freighter this month to Turkey-based ULS Airlines Cargo and a second one in April, an industry source close to the company said. 

The Airbus A330-300 cargo jets are much larger than the three A310 converted freighters ULS Airlines Cargo currently operates from Istanbul Airport. 

Air Transport Services Group (NASDAQ: ATSG) said in Tuesday’s fourth-quarter earnings...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/turkeys-uls-cargo-airlines-to-receive-1st-a330-freighter-in-march