Payload Asia | November-December 2025

MCI (P) 002/07/2016 ISSN 2010-4227

THE TRADE MAGAZINE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC AND MIDDLE EAST REGION VOL. 41 NO. 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

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EDITOR’S NOTE EDITORIAL/PUBLISHER Keen Whye Lee Publisher publisher@harvest-info.com Monina Eugenio Chief Editor editor-pla@harvest-info.com

OPERATIONS Mari Vergara Country Manager manager-ph@harvest-info.com

MARKETING Lali Singson Marketing Manager mktg@harvest-info.com

SALES Simon Lee Hong Kong, Europe and Middle East sales@harvest-info.com Chua Chew Huat Asia Pacific sales-sg@harvest-info.com Matt Weidner North America mtw@weidcom.com

TECHNICAL SUPPORT MJ Magsalin tech@harvest-info.com

Dear Reader, As air cargo enters the final stretch of 2025, the industry is no longer focused on recovery alone. Instead, attention has shifted to how networks, operations, and partnerships can remain resilient in an environment where disruption has become structural rather than exceptional. This November–December issue of Payload Asia reflects that transition, looking ahead to how the industry is positioning itself for 2026 and beyond.

Our cover story with Etihad Cargo examines how the carrier is strengthening global connectivity from the Middle East outward, translating recognition into momentum through disciplined network growth, strategic partnerships, and operational flexibility.

It offers a clear example of how airlines are recalibrating capacity and connectivity to stay responsive amid shifting trade flows.

That theme is reinforced in our Company Profile on Chapman Freeborn, which explores the expanding role of air charter services as a strategic complement to conventional belly and freighter capacity. As geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand shifts persist, charter solutions continue to fill critical gaps—whether for time-critical, humanitarian, or outsized cargo.

Across the Asia Pacific, adaptability remains central. FedEx and AVIAREPS contributions reveal how operators and aviation partners are rethinking regional strategies amid evolving trade lanes and infrastructure expansion. Cathay Cargo and SATS features spotlight the growing role of digitalisation, data orchestration, and hub optimisation in improving resilience and execution, while JD Logistics coverage underscores how specialisation— particularly in bulky e-commerce fulfilment—is reshaping service expectations.

The issue is rounded out with post-event insights from TAC Index and the 69th AAPA Assembly of Presidents, alongside coverage of the 12th Payload Asia Awards, recognising organisations that continue to raise industry standards.

As the industry looks toward 2026, success will depend not on scale alone, but on clarity of strategy, execution under pressure, and the ability to adapt faster than disruption unfolds.

Warm regards,

GRAPHIC LAYOUT Red Van Cliff Estocado vancliff.estocado@gmail.com

Monina Eugenio Chief Editor

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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CONTENTS

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30

COMPANY PROFILE CHAPMAN FREEBORN

Chapman Freeborn: Meeting charter demand where conventional capacity falls short

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COVER STORY ETIHAD CARGO

Turning recognition into momentum: Etihad Cargo’s roadmap to 2026

FEATURE FEDEX

Resilience reimagined: How hyperconnected end-to-end logistics unlocks growth

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FEATURE AVIAREPS

Navigating growth in Asia’s aviation and cargo landscape

NEWS CA R R I E RS

CARRIE RS

LOGISTICS

SkyCargo adds Bangkok to its 04 Emirates freighter network

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South Korean cargo airline AIRZETA launches in Austria, choosing Vienna Airport as its European cargo hub

Jucker Logistics partners with 12 Berli DHL Supply Chain Thailand to elevate

Suparna Airlines’ second Boeing 777F successfully lands at Liege Airport

Robotics launches the QuickMix 13 Quicktron suite of integrated goods-handling

Korean Air becomes new A350F customer Etihad Cargo and Teleport expand partnership with Phnom Penh freighter service Express and AIR ONE expedite cross05 SF border deliveries between China and the

UK with new Ezhou-East Midlands freighter services

HKIA Consultancy enters into cooperation agreement with Beijing Urban Construction Group on “Belt and Road” airports development GROUND HAN DLIN G

Capacity agreement between Lufthansa SATS leverages people, technology and Cargo and ITA Airways takes off from Rome 10 innovation to shape tomorrow’s airhubs Airlines strengthens its position 06 Ethiopian as Africa’s largest A350 operator with an order for six additional A350-900s

Royal Brunei Airlines partners with Unilode Aviation Solutions in providing full ULD management

Lufthansa Cargo completes first phase in the creation of the Lufthansa Cargo Campus

IAG Cargo welcomes MASkargo operations at London Heathrow hub

Group posts strong October cargo expands e-commerce capacity 07 Cathay 11 Swissport performance as year-end demand builds at Liege Airport with new import hub JAL renews CEIV Pharma Certificationfirst Japanese airline to include ground transportation in scope

WFS wins ramp and cargo handling contract at Paris CDG for China Cargo Airlines’ new 777F operation

Air New Zealand Cargo: 6,000 tonnes of festive freight take flight

dnata scales up in Milan with cargo expansion

A I R P OR T S

LOGISTICS

Airport sees 3.7% rise in airfreight SAL announces first international 08 Changi throughput to 531,000 tonnes in Q3 2025 12 expansion through a strategic partnership South Korean cargo airline AIRZETA launches in Austria, choosing Vienna Airport as its European cargo hub

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with TAM Group

Kuehne+Nagel to acquire Eastway, a leader in aerospace logistics

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

Thailand’s logistics to global standards

technologies for Singapore

DHL Group shows confidence in India with investments of around EUR 1 billion in the country until 2030 China remains a strong growth market for Gebrüder Weiss Cargo and CEVA Logistics sign 14 Lufthansa SAF agreement GEODIS pilots Southeast Asia’s first cross-border trucking service using renewable diesel SAL and SILZ sign strategic agreement to advance logistics ecosystem in the Kingdom MRO

expands line maintenance 15 HAECO partnership with JAL at Shanghai Pudong International Airport

AIR ONE International Holdings establishes AIR ONE Technics at MBR Aerospace Hub, Dubai South Warburg Pincus acquires Topcast

CONTENTS

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40

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TLAC SEA AIR CARGO SOUTHEAST ASIA

Driving regional connectivity and logistics transformation at TLAC SEA 2025

POST-EVENT 69TH AAPA ASSEMBLY OF PRESIDENTS

Asia Pacific aviation leaders chart growth strategy at 69th AAPA Assembly of Presidents

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12TH PAYLOAD ASIA AWARDS

Celebrating innovation and partnership at the 12th Payload Asia Awards COMPANY PROFILE

NEWS EX PR ES S

IT

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Emirates Courier Express launches in Germany, expanding European footprint

Air expands direct system 20 Korean connection for cargo customers

FedEx survey reveals 85% of APAC SMEs confident in Europe trade growth

ASSOCIATIO N S

DHL Express strengthens Penang connectivity with additional capacity to support trade momentum

procure SAF

FR EI G HT F O R WA RDE RS

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cargo.one unveils enhanced AI quoting and operational control tools to help freight forwarders handle peak season volume Thailand freighter Pattaya Airways joins WebCargo by Freightos platform, expanding air cargo access in Southeast Asia

GSSAs

18 AVS GSA officially appointed as the GSA for DHL Aviation in Malaysia

Astral Aviation appoints TAM Group as exclusive cargo General Sales and Service Agent for Hong Kong and Macau Oman Air Cargo appoints five new GSAs and announces two new offline route

sets up Singapore Sustainable 20 CAAS Aviation Fuel Company Ltd to centrally SAAA@Singapore and IATA host 5th Air Cargo Day 2025 TIACA welcomes Magma Aviation as its newest member

PEOPLE appoints Steven Polmans as 22 Swissport Global SVP Cargo Cargo Service Centre Group celebrates Chairman Tushar Jani’s appointment as co-vice Chair of TIACA Aramex names Amadou Diallo as Group Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth Freightos appoints Michael Netter as CRO to drive global go-to-market strategy Group strengthens leadership in 23 ECS Asia: Girish Kunder appointed Regional Manager Indian Subcontinent

IT

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POST-EVENT TAC INDEX

TAC Innovation bridges blockchain and aviation

Hellmann partners with cargo.one to upgrade its air cargo procurement and sales technology Jettainer selects Trackonomy’s nextgeneration IoT tracking technology for its global ULD fleet

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines announces leadership succession

24 Chapman Freeborn COVER STORY

26 Etihad Cargo FEATURES

30 FedEx 32 Aviareps TLAC SEA

35 Cathay Cargo 36 SATS 37 Jingdong Logistics POST-EVENT

38 TAC Index AAPA 40 69th Assembly of Presidents

12TH PAYLOAD ASIA AWARDS

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Cor de Man appointed as CEO of Maastricht Aachen Airport Qatar Airways Group appoints Hamad Ali Al-Khater as Group Chief Executive Officer

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - CARRIERS Emirates SkyCargo adds Bangkok to its freighter network global destinations with its freighter fleet, including 11 in East and Southeast Asia. The expansion aligns with Thailand’s “Thailand 4.0” economic strategy, which focuses on advanced manufacturing and innovation across sectors such as automotive, smart electronics, biotechnology and robotics.

Emirates SkyCargo is well positioned to support these industries, as well as Emirates SkyCargo has deployed a traditional exports including garments and weekly dedicated freighter to Bangkok’s fresh produce, through its all-widebody fleet Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), strengthening and extensive global network. its cargo connectivity across East and Southeast Asia. Already operating the Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President largest and most diversified network of any of Emirates SkyCargo, said demand across non-Asian airline, the new freighter service East and Southeast Asia continues to rise provides customers in Thailand with greater rapidly, making the region central to the flexibility to move goods worldwide via airline’s expansion plans through 2026 and beyond. He highlighted Thailand and Dubai.

Vietnam as emerging engines of global Emirates’ cargo arm now serves 43

trade with strong manufacturing bases and world-class logistics infrastructure.

Korean Air becomes new A350F customer

Currently under development, the A350F will offer a payload capacity of up to 111 tonnes and a range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 kilometres). Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, it is expected to deliver up to 40% lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft with similar payload and range.

Korean Air has become a new customer for the A350F, the world’s only all-new large freighter, after converting seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders to the freighter variant.

“Korean Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators, making this a significant endorsement of the A350F’s capabilities,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales. He added that the A350F offers the most efficient solution in the large freighter segment.

Designed specifically for cargo operations, the A350F features the industry’s largest main deck cargo door and is optimised for standard pallets and containers. More than 70% of the airframe is made from advanced materials, resulting in a take-off weight that is 46 tonnes lighter than competing derivatives. The aircraft will also be the only freighter to fully comply with ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, taking effect in 2027.

In response to sustained demand, Emirates SkyCargo also increased freighter services to Hanoi to four weekly flights, including direct connections to Dubai World Central, and deployed a sixth weekly freighter to Guangzhou to support high volumes of consumer electronics and e-commerce shipments. Ad hoc freighter capacity is added during peak periods to ensure stability.

Over the past three decades, Emirates SkyCargo has steadily expanded its regional footprint, now serving 25 gateways across East and Southeast Asia with a combination of freighter, charter and passenger services, offering approximately 21,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.

As of the end of September 2025, the A350 Family had secured 1,445 orders from 63 customers worldwide, including 65 A350F orders from 10 cargo operators and one lessor.

Korean Air’s total A350 order book now includes 20 A350-1000s, seven A350Fs and six A350-900s, with the first two A350-900s already delivered.

Etihad Cargo and Teleport expand partnership with Phnom Penh freighter service Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, said the new deployment reinforces Etihad Cargo’s commitment to Southeast Asia and supports Cambodia’s exporters with improved global connectivity. Teleport Chief Business Officer Jan Philipp Pöter said the expansion builds on a partnership that has evolved from interline cooperation in 2022 to freighter deployments across Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, enabling The freighter launch follows Etihad Airways’ faster route launches and greater network recent introduction of passenger services to agility Phnom Penh using the Airbus A321LR, which has delivered strong cargo performance The Phnom Penh deployment further with high utilisation. The additional freighter expands Etihad Cargo’s freighter network capacity will support Cambodia’s growing while complementing bellyhold capacity import and export volumes, serving key across its passenger fleet, offering sectors such as garments, electronics, customers flexible and reliable access to global markets. perishables and pharmaceuticals.

The agreement was signed at Air Cargo Southeast Asia, marking another milestone in the strategic partnership between Etihad Cargo and Teleport, which already operates a joint freighter deployment from Ho Chi Minh City. Operating via Abu Dhabi, the new service will provide main deck connectivity to Etihad Cargo’s global network, including the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Etihad Cargo expands its Southeast Asia network with the launch of a new freighter deployment from Techo International Airport (KTI) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in partnership with Teleport. Commencing in the winter 2025 season, the service will operate two weekly Airbus A321F flights, adding 50 tonnes of cargo capacity per week.

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

NEWS - CARRIERS SF Express and AIR ONE expedite cross-border deliveries between China and the UK with new Ezhou-East Midlands freighter services SF Express launched a new partnership with freighter specialist AIR ONE to accelerate cross-border deliveries between China and the United Kingdom. Under an initial oneyear charter agreement, four weekly Boeing 747-400BDSF freighter flights now operate between Ezhou Huahu International Airport and East Midlands Airport, the UK’s primary cargo gateway in the Midlands.

The new service forms part of SF Express’ wider European expansion strategy and is designed to restructure Sino-UK transit times amid growing trade and logistics demand. The inaugural flight departed Ezhou on 2 November, officially marking SF’s first all-cargo route to the UK. With a flight time of 16.5 hours, the route reduces end-to-end cross-border delivery times to as little as four days, supporting timesensitive shipments such as cross-border e-commerce, high-end manufacturing goods and fresh cold-chain products.

said the route represents a key milestone in SF’s global network deployment. He noted that the collaboration with AIR ONE provides a stable and efficient airfreight channel for UK-bound cargo and supports SF’s ambition to expand its international air Mark Middleton, Head of Charters at Peter Huang, Head of International Air network with smarter and more sustainable AIR ONE, said the agreement reflects Freight at SF International Business Centre, logistics solutions.

SF’s confidence in AIR ONE’s operational standards and access to the UK market.

He added that the partnership strengthens sustainable logistics links between Asia and Europe.

Capacity agreement between Lufthansa Cargo and ITA Airways takes off from Rome With the start of the winter flight schedule on 26 October 2025, Lufthansa Cargo further expanded its cooperation with ITA Airways.

Cargo shipments are now transported under Lufthansa Cargo’s own AWB number on ITA Airways flights departing Rome– Fiumicino Airport. Within two weeks, more than 1,000 tonnes of freight have already been carried in the bellyhold of ITA Airways’ passenger aircraft. The cooperation, which began in June on flights to Rome, is now largely implemented, with services to and from the US and Canada pending regulatory approval.

The addition of Rome–Fiumicino expands Lufthansa Cargo’s available belly capacity by around 20% and establishes the airport as its fifth European hub, alongside Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Brussels.

Customers benefit from expanded routing options and increased flexibility across the and Tokyo-Haneda. Seasonal services to intercontinental network.

Mauritius and Malé have also been added.

Effective immediately, Lufthansa Cargo In addition, up to 71 weekly connections offers up to 30 additional weekly link Rome with destinations in North Africa connections from Rome to South America, and the Middle East, including Algiers, Cairo, including Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Accra, Dakar, Tunis, Dubai and Riyadh. The São Paulo, and up to 21 weekly flights new hub also strengthens Lufthansa Cargo’s to Asia, serving Bangkok, New Delhi intra-European road feeder and continental

network, improving connectivity with its existing hubs.

The cooperation follows Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a stake in ITA Airways and supports a more integrated, flexible Groupwide cargo network.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - CARRIERS Ethiopian Airlines strengthens its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator with an order for six additional A350-900s proud to deepen its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, describing the carrier as a benchmark for aviation excellence on the continent. He noted that the A350’s advanced technology, efficiency and versatility will add significant value to Ethiopian’s operations.

The Airbus A350 is the world’s most modern widebody aircraft, capable of flying up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 kilometres) nonstop.

It incorporates advanced aerodynamics, lightweight materials and the latest Rolls-Royce engines, delivering a 25% reduction in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions compared with previousgeneration aircraft. The A350 also features the Airspace cabin, offering enhanced comfort for passengers and crews.

Ethiopian Airlines has placed a firm order for six Airbus A350-900 aircraft, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator.

The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and Airbus EVP Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.

Ethiopian Airlines’ long-standing partnership with Airbus and supports the carrier’s strategy for sustainable growth. He added that the additional aircraft will enhance the airline’s ability to deliver a world-class passenger experience while consolidating its leadership position in African aviation.

The aircraft is already certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus targeting full SAF capability by 2030.

As of the end of October 2025, the A350 Family had secured more than 1,400 orders from 64 customers worldwide.

Mesfin Tasew said the order strengthens Benoît de Saint-Exupéry said Airbus is

Lufthansa Cargo completes first phase in the creation of the Lufthansa Cargo Campus Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, said the headquarters represents a commitment to the company’s future in Frankfurt, creating modern workspaces that foster collaboration, innovation and growth while supporting reliable, high-quality cargo services worldwide.

The project is part of Lufthansa Group’s “LCCevo” programme, a €600 million investment and the Group’s largest infrastructure initiative to date. By 2030, the existing Lufthansa Cargo Centre—spanning 330,000 square metres— will be comprehensively modernised while remaining fully operational. The goal is to establish the most modern air freight facility in Europe and strengthen Lufthansa Cargo’s global competitiveness.

(L-R) CFO Gregor Schleussner, CEO Ashwin Bhat and COO Frank Bauer

Lufthansa Cargo has reached a key milestone in the modernisation of its Frankfurt air freight hub with the completion of the first phase of its new headquarters at Frankfurt Airport. Official building approval is expected in mid-December, after which the first 60 office workspaces will become operational.

Three further construction phases are

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planned through early 2028, with phase two scheduled for completion in autumn 2026.

The new headquarters will ultimately provide 10,000 square metres of modern office space and forms part of a broader upgrade of the Lufthansa Cargo Campus, including the construction of a new cargo hub.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

Operating continuously since 1982, the Lufthansa Cargo Centre handles around 1.4 million tonnes of freight annually, accounting for roughly 80% of the airline’s global cargo volume. Construction is being carried out in stages to avoid operational disruption, with key elements including a 42-metre-high highbay warehouse, among the tallest structures at Frankfurt Airport

NEWS - CARRIERS Cathay Group posts strong October cargo performance as year-end demand builds The Cathay Group reported continued growth in its cargo business in October 2025, with Cathay Cargo carrying over 150,000 tonnes, representing a 12% increase month-on-month.

Compared with October 2024, cargo volumes rose 6%, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 8%. For the first 10 months of 2025, total cargo tonnage was up 10% year-on-year.

Cathay Fresh volumes were driven by fresh produce shipments from Southeast Asia and Oceania to Hong Kong, as well as chilled salmon movements from South America to the Chinese Mainland.

Time-sensitive shipments also performed strongly, with Cathay Priority recording solid growth from Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area. Demand was supported by preCathay Chief Customer and Commercial festive shipping activity and year-end sales peak season, with strong utilisation anticipated Officer Lavinia Lau said cargo momentum events, contributing to high load factors across on major routes. Ongoing network expansion strengthened during the month despite key trade lanes. and sustained freighter and bellyhold capacity multiple public holidays in Hong Kong. Growth are expected to further support cargo flows Looking ahead, Cathay expects cargo demand was recorded across most regions, supported across the Asia Pacific and long-haul markets. by robust demand for specialised products. to remain healthy through the remainder of the

JAL renews CEIV Pharma Certification-first Japanese airline to include ground transportation in scope Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL has successfully renewed its CEIV Pharma certification (Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) at Narita Airport on October 24, 2025, following the audit conducted by IATA that began on October 23.

Since initially obtaining the CEIV Pharma certification in 2023, JAL has continuously enhanced its quality management and handling systems for pharmaceutical cargo to ensure the safe and reliable transport of medicines. In recent years, global demand for the transportation of pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine cell products has been

increasing. Particularly, with the growing importance of high-quality temperaturecontrolled transport, JAL is addressing these diversifying transportation needs.

In response to growing demand and market needs, JAL launched Japan’s first GDPcompliant inter-airport trucking service in 2024*, connecting Haneda, Narita, and Kansai — Japan’s three major airports. This latest renewal expanded the certification scope to include these ground transportation services, making JAL the first airline in Japan certified for both air and ground transportation in pharmaceutical logistics.

JAL MEDIPORT facility at Narita Airport

Air New Zealand Cargo: 6,000 tonnes of festive freight take flight Air New Zealand Cargo is gearing up for a busy festive season, working closely with Kiwi exporters to deliver New Zealand’s premium produce to global markets. Across December and January, the airline expects to carry just under 6,000 tonnes of freight out of New Zealand, supporting seasonal demand from Asia, North America and beyond.

celebrations. Earlier in the season, premium New Zealand beef is flown to the United States for Christmas dining.

Anne Dunne, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Cargo, said the team takes pride in supporting exporters during the peak season. “New Zealand has a strong reputation for premium fresh produce, and it’s a privilege to connect our exporters with Key exports this Christmas include customers around the world, especially at from Auckland to Christchurch, supporting capsicums, with around 700 tonnes this time of year.” conservation efforts. shipped, followed by approximately 615 tonnes of cherries destined for Asia’s The airline’s cargo operations rely on planning and temperature- From fresh produce to specialised live New Year celebrations, and 470 tonnes of precise salmon for markets such as Japan. Time- controlled handling to ensure perishable animal movements, Air New Zealand Cargo critical lobster shipments to China are also goods arrive in optimal condition. Beyond continues to play a vital role in keeping a standout, carefully planned to arrive commercial freight, Air New Zealand Cargo global supply chains moving during the fresh for festive banquets and New Year also transported four little blue penguins festive peak.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - AIRPORTS Changi Airport sees 3.7% rise in airfreight throughput to 531,000 tonnes in Q3 2025

expansions ahead of the year-end travel season.

Singapore Changi Airport handled 17.3 million passenger movements in Q3 2025, a year-on-year increase of 3.1%. Aircraft movements totalled 91,600, comparable to the same period last year. The airport’s top five markets were China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India, with China and Vietnam showing the strongest growth among the top 10 markets at 9.7% and 11.3% respectively. The busiest city links were Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Denpasar (Bali) and Shanghai, with the Singapore–Jakarta route posting double-digit growth.

Changi registered 531,000 tonnes of airfreight throughput for the quarter, up 3.7% year-on-year. Imports grew by 10% despite global trade uncertainties. The top five cargo markets were China, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and India.

Scoot announced new routes to Labuan Bajo, Medan, Palembang and Semarang, with the latter two being new-to-Changi destinations. In cargo, JD Airlines launched thrice-weekly Shenzhen freighter services, enhancing Southeast Asia–China connectivity.

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development at Changi Airport Group, said travel demand remained strong, especially on Asia routes, and highlighted ongoing network

As of 1 October, about 100 airlines operate 7,000 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, linking Singapore to over 160 cities in 50 countries and territories.

Changi continued to grow its connectivity with several new and reinstated services.

Indonesia’s Pelita Air launched daily Singapore–Jakarta flights on 11 August.

Hainan Airlines inaugurated four-timesweekly Singapore–Haikou–Changchun services, while Loong Air began threetimes-weekly flights to Zhangjiajie—two new city links for Changi. Batik Air Malaysia will add new daily flights to Ipoh, Penang and Subang from 8 December, with Lion Group airlines shifting to Terminal 4 from 11 November.

South Korean cargo airline AIRZETA launches in Austria, choosing Vienna Airport as its European cargo hub AIRZETA now operates regular cargo flights between Vienna and Seoul-Incheon, Korea’s main air freight hub, with up to six weekly rotations. The Boeing 747 freighters carry auto parts, battery materials, electronics, pharmaceuticals, high-value components and e-commerce shipments, offering substantial payload capacity for regional industries and logistics networks.

Caption: (L-R) An exclusive evening reception attended by the Korean Ambassador to Austria, Ham Sang Wook, Kwan Sik Kim, CEO of AIRZETA, and Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, marked the start of the cooperation.

AIRZETA, a newly established South Korean cargo airline, has launched operations and chosen Vienna Airport as its primary European hub, strengthening international cargo connectivity between Korea and Central Europe. The partnership is anchored by a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding on Cargo Development

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and long-term handling agreements. The cooperation was formally inaugurated with a signing ceremony at Vienna Airport’s control tower, followed by a reception attended by South Korean Ambassador Ham Sang Wook, AIRZETA CEO Kwan Sik Kim and Vienna Airport joint CEO and COO Julian Jäger.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

To celebrate the launch, Vienna Airport and AIRZETA hosted an exclusive reception on 13 November 2025 at the Burgtheater’s Vestibül, attended by business and aviation leaders. The event featured speeches, a ceremonial gift exchange and a joint cakecutting, underscoring the significance of the partnership.

AIRZETA, formed from the merger of Asiana Cargo and Korean Air’s cargo units and later spun off from Air Incheon, enters the market as an independent cargo airline. The new partnership marks a strategic upgrade for Vienna Airport, enhancing intercontinental connectivity and reinforcing its role as a leading European cargo hub.

NEWS - AIRPORTS South Korean cargo airline AIRZETA launches in Austria, choosing Vienna Airport as its European cargo hub Glasgow Prestwick Airport hosted a senior delegation from China Southern Air Logistics for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening collaboration and supporting Scotland’s export growth.

Fourth from the left: Jules Matteoni, Operations Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport; (third from the right) Colin Dai, Country Sales Director, Greater China, Glasgow Prestwick Airport; along with delegates from China Southern Air.

The visit gave the airline direct insight into Scotland’s high-value industries, including whisky and seafood, helping to deepen understanding of producers’ and freight forwarders’ needs.

“We were pleased to welcome the delegation from China Southern Air Logistics to Prestwick,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“The visit provided an excellent opportunity to explore how we can work together for mutual benefit and continue to strengthen Scotland’s global export connections.”

During the visit, the airport hosted meetings and site tours highlighting its cargo expertise, connectivity, and ability to deliver a fully in-house service, from handling to fuelling.

The visit followed a similar engagement with Air China Cargo earlier this month, reinforcing Prestwick’s commitment to developing long-term partnerships that drive growth in Scotland’s air cargo sector.

Suparna Airlines’ second Boeing 777F successfully lands at Liege Airport Swissport Cargo Services Belgium expressed its sincere appreciation for Suparna Airlines’ continued trust and partnership.

Mr. Wilfried Jans, Managing Director of Swissport Cargo Services Belgium, said the company is honoured to serve as Suparna Airlines’ ground handling partner at LGG. “The launch of this route establishes another key logistics corridor between China and Europe, bringing new opportunities for The arrival also signifies the maiden PVG– trade and economic exchange across LGG flight of Suparna Airlines’ second continents,” he noted.

Marketing at Liege Airport, commented: “We 777F, further strengthening the air bridge are delighted to welcome Suparna Airlines’ between Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Liege Adding to the excitement, Liege Airport— second Boeing 777F to Liege. This milestone (LGG). This new connection enhances Europe’s leading specialist cargo airport— underscores Liege Airport’s strategic role as the carrier’s international cargo network welcomed Suparna’s arrival as part of a premier European gateway for Chinese between China and Europe, supporting its ongoing mission to expand global cargo operators. The addition of this route global trade and cross-border e-commerce connectivity. strengthens our position as a trusted hub flows.

Mr. Torsten Wefers, Vice President Sales & for efficient, reliable, and flexible logistics solutions, connecting Asia and Europe 24/7.”

Suparna Airlines’ Boeing 777F, registration B-227X, successfully landed at Liege Airport (LGG), marking another milestone in the airline’s fleet expansion and reinforcing Liege’s position as a leading European cargo hub. This aircraft is Suparna Airlines’ second brand-new Boeing 777F, following the successful operation of its first 777F earlier this year.

HKIA Consultancy enters into cooperation agreement with Beijing Urban Construction Group on “Belt and Road” airports development Hong Kong International Airport Consultancy Limited (HKIA Consultancy) and Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) today signed cooperation agreements in connection with three airport development projects in Ethiopia, Indonesia and Kenya, respectively.

Development Council; Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing; and Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).

This partnership between HKIA Consultancy and BUCG will further advance the development of aviation hubs along the Belt and Road regions by leveraging Hong Kong International Airport’s experience and expertise in airport management and operations. HKIA Consultancy was established by AAHK.

The agreements were signed during the 28th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium by Simon Li, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HKIA Consultancy and Li Weidong, Chairman of BUCG. Distinguished guests attending the symposium included John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Simon Li, CEO of HKIA Consultancy, Special Administrative Region; Frederick remarked, “We are pleased to enter into Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade these cooperation agreements and look

forward to providing comprehensive airport construction and management solutions in partnership with BUCG to Ethiopia, Indonesia and Kenya, contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - GROUND HANDLING SATS leverages people, technology and innovation to shape tomorrow’s airhubs

safety. Smarter resource deployment and closer coordination between cargo and ground handling operations are key focus areas. Workforce reskilling through job 2025, driving demand for greater efficiency, redesign and technology training supports scalability and sustainability. the shift toward higher-value, digitally enabled roles.

Drawing on SG Hub’s extensive experience at Changi Airport, the programme SATS is also expanding specialised cargo reimagines the role of cargo terminal and services to meet rising demand for ground handling operators by integrating time-critical and temperature-sensitive automation, digitisation, operational shipments, including pharmaceuticals, excellence, safety and sustainability. SATS perishables and e-commerce. Integrated aims to deliver future-ready aviation freight forwarding and multimodal solutions that enhance resilience and connectivity further strengthen end-to-end SATS launched its Hub Handler of the Future performance at large international hubs. supply chain solutions. programme, led by the SATS Singapore Hub (SG Hub), to address the evolving needs Under the programme, cargo terminal To support these efforts, SATS is of mega airports built for high-capacity operations are being transformed through investing S$250 million to modernise passenger and cargo operations. The greater use of automation and real- air cargo terminals and ground support initiative comes as global air cargo volumes time operational intelligence, improving infrastructure, including the Build-Up are projected to reach 72.5 million tonnes in turnaround efficiency, service quality and Handling Centre launched in April 2025.

Royal Brunei Airlines partners with Unilode Aviation Solutions in providing full ULD management

Royal Brunei Airlines has entered a new long-term partnership with Unilode Aviation Solutions to introduce ULD pooling across its global operations. The move marks a significant step in the airline’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and advance its sustainability agenda.

Under the agreement, Royal Brunei Airlines

repositioning and logistics costs while improving operational agility—particularly important as Royal Brunei Airlines continues to expand its network. Real-time tracking and enhanced data visibility will also support improved ULD utilisation and accurate sustainability reporting.

will transition from managing its own Unit Load Device (ULD) fleet to joining Unilode’s global, digitised ULD pool. This will enable more flexible, data-driven and cost-efficient cargo and baggage operations while Mohammed Akhlaq, Chief Commercial reducing waste and lowering the airline’s Officer of Unilode, said the partnership carbon footprint. reflects a growing shift toward pooling As part of Unilode’s global fleet, Royal models that deliver efficiency, flexibility and Brunei Airlines will gain access to equipment sustainability. Royal Brunei Airlines Chief and ground expertise across key airport Operations Officer Badaruddin Hj Bagol locations worldwide, improving service added that ULD pooling aligns with the reliability and operational responsiveness. airline’s commitment to responsible growth The partnership also provides access to and environmental stewardship.

Unilode’s investments in digital tracking, The adoption of ULD pooling underscores ULD innovation and its global MRO network, Royal Brunei Airlines’ forward-looking supported by more than 800 ULD specialists. approach to cargo and ground operations, Through Unilode’s on-demand maintenance supporting more sustainable and resilient services, the airline can reduce ULD aviation practices.

IAG Cargo welcomes MASkargo operations at London Heathrow hub

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), expanded its global offering through a partnership to handle MASkargo’s operations at its London Heathrow hub.

In a collaboration that strengthens the

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company’s position as a trusted partner for Adam Carson, Chief Operations Officer, IAG global carriers, IAG Cargo will become the Cargo, said, “Welcoming MASkargo to our London Heathrow hub marks an important ground handling agent for MASkargo. step in expanding our third-party handling MASkargo is the cargo division of Malaysia capabilities. Heathrow is a key gateway for Aviation Group (MAG) that specialises MASkargo, and our facilities enable us to in providing comprehensive air cargo deliver the reliability and service excellence solutions. MASkargo offers a wide range of customers expect.” services, including scheduled and chartered air freight, cargo terminal handling, and Mark Jason Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, integrated logistics solutions via air, land, MASkargo, said,“Partnering with IAG Cargo at London Heathrow strengthens our global and sea transportation. connectivity and enhances the reliability All MASkargo shipments via London are and quality of service we provide our processed through the Premia facility at IAG customers. The collaboration also reinforces Cargo’s Heathrow estate, underscoring the MASkargo’s presence at one of the world’s strategic importance of London as a key hub leading cargo hubs, offering smoother in the global air cargo network. MASkargo transfers and broader access to key markets currently operates twice-daily flights in Europe and the Americas.” connecting Kuala Lumpur and London.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

NEWS - GROUND HANDLING Swissport expands e-commerce capacity at Liege Airport with new import hub Swissport has expanded its European e-commerce network with the opening of a new 5,500 m² import parcel warehouse at Liege Airport (LGG), strengthening its logistics capabilities at one of Europe’s fastest-growing cargo hubs. Dedicated to high-volume import handling, the facility can process up to 300 tonnes per day and increases Swissport’s total e-commerce footprint in Liege to 9,000 m².

The warehouse supports fully integrated import operations, from cargo collection and airport-to-warehouse transfers to breakdown, scanning, sorting and final loading for last-mile delivery. Designed for fast turnaround, the bonded facility is optimised for cross-dock operations and digital efficiency.

“Liege has become a key European hub for e-commerce,” said Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India & Global Cargo Chair at Swissport.

“This investment enhances our ability to deliver fast, data-driven and sustainable logistics solutions where demand is growing workflows and comprehensive recycling fastest.” programmes to reduce waste and Swissport’s Liege operation integrates environmental impact. customers’ Warehouse Management The expansion forms part of Swissport’s Systems directly with its CargoSpot wider strategy to build scalable e-commerce platform, providing real-time visibility and capacity across key global gateways. Liege data accuracy. According to Wilfried Jans, joins Swissport’s growing network of Managing Director of Swissport Belgium, e-commerce hubs in Brussels, Milan, Basel, the expanded footprint allows higher New York JFK and Shanghai, reinforcing volumes to be handled while maintaining the company’s role as a trusted partner reliability and precision. for airlines and integrators in cross-border Aligned with Swissport’s sustainability e-commerce logistics. standards, the facility operates paperless

WFS wins ramp and cargo handling contract at Paris CDG for China Cargo Airlines’ new 777F operation Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, has won a freighter handling contract with China Cargo Airlines to mark the airline’s resumption of all-cargo flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

regional airports across France, as well as to other major airports in Europe.

The new contract extends a relationship between WFS, China Cargo Airlines and its parent, China Eastern Airlines, spanning more than 25 years in Paris. This cargo handling partnership is now also in place in is delighted to see China Cargo Airlines’ Arlanda, Bangkok, Barcelona, Copenhagen, freighters back in Paris. “We are extremely proud of our longstanding partnership in Frankfurt, Marseille and Milan.

France with China Eastern Airlines and China As well as the new freighter operations, WFS Cargo Airlines. They are both extremely handles all cargo carried onboard China important customers of WFS. We greatly Eastern’s passenger flights in Paris. value their confidence in WFS,” he said.

Commencing with the arrival of the first scheduled flight on 20 November, WFS is providing cargo warehouse services in support of China Cargo Airlines’ three Boeing 777F freighter flights a week connecting China and the French capital. Additionally, WFS will provide full ramp handling for the 777Fs and operate road feeder services for China Cargo Airlines between Paris and Laurent Bernard, Managing Director France,

dnata scales up in Milan with cargo expansion dnata announced an investment of over €25 million to develop a new cargo facility at Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Airport Handling. The project forms part of dnata’s strategy to expand high-performance cargo infrastructure in markets with strong longterm growth potential.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the facility will feature photovoltaic panels, advanced thermal insulation and highefficiency LED lighting. Warehouse and office spaces will maximise natural light and incorporate low-consumption heating and cooling systems, alongside infrastructure to support low-emission ground operations.

The facility is scheduled to become The development follows a competitive operational in September 2027. tender by SEA Group, operator of Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports, and will Alberto Morosi, CEO of Airport Handling, create around 200 new local jobs. Located said the investment marks a defining step in Malpensa’s Cargo City, the 10,000 m² in the company’s expansion into cargo facility will have an annual handling capacity and reflects confidence in Milan’s role as a exceeding 100,000 tonnes and support a regional trade hub, supported by growth wide range of cargo, including perishables, in e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live perishables. animals, aircraft engines and vehicles.

dnata Airport Operations CEO Clive SauvéHopkins said Europe remains central to dnata’s expansion plans, while SEA Milan Airports highlighted the project as a key milestone in strengthening Malpensa Cargo City’s position as a strategic European logistics hub. dnata currently provides cargo and ground handling services at more than 90 airports in 16 countries, handling 3.1 million tonnes of cargo globally in FY2024–25.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - LOGISTICS SAL announces first international expansion through a strategic partnership with TAM Group

Omar Hariri, CEO of SAL Logistics Services, said the partnership establishes SAL’s first international presence in China and enables Chinese companies to expand into Saudi Through the partnership, SAL will enter one Arabia while leveraging the Kingdom’s of the world’s largest and most dynamic strategic geographic location and SAL’s logistics markets, combining its expertise integrated logistics capabilities. with TAM Group to enhance the China–Saudi Arabia trade corridor. The collaboration Alvin Tam, Senior Vice President, Commercial aims to meet growing demand across key at TAM Group, said the collaboration (L-R) Omar Hariri, CEO, SAL Logistics sectors, particularly e-commerce, while brings together international expertise and Services and Alvin Tam, Senior Vice President developing more efficient and innovative advanced operational capabilities to expand Commercial, TAM Group air freight solutions to support global trade air cargo connectivity between Saudi Arabia and global markets.

SAL Logistics Services has signed a strategic flows. partnership agreement with TAM Group to China plays a central role in global supply The partnership underscores SAL’s strengthen air cargo operations between chains, and the partnership aligns with Saudi commitment to building international China and Saudi Arabia. The agreement Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics alliances that strengthen its global footprint, was signed during the Transport Logistic Strategy and Vision 2030, reinforcing the support the development of Saudi Arabia’s Southeast Asia exhibition in Singapore, Kingdom’s ambition to become a global air cargo sector, and enhance cross-border marking SAL’s first international expansion logistics hub. trade between Asia and the Middle East. into the Chinese market.

Kuehne+Nagel to acquire Eastway, a leader in aerospace logistics It provides time-critical aircraft-on-ground (AOG) services, aircraft engine logistics, aviation warehousing, customs brokerage, and full lifecycle logistics solutions for the aviation leasing industry. Aircraft lessors currently own more than half of the global aviation fleet, a segment projected to grow significantly over the next decade.

Kuehne+Nagel has announced its intention to acquire Eastway Global Forwarding Ltd., a specialist in aerospace logistics, strengthening its capabilities in a fastgrowing and highly specialised sector.

Headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, Eastway is a family-owned company with a global network spanning 130 countries.

growth ambitions in aerospace logistics.

Frank Junior McNamara, Managing Director of Eastway, said partnering with Kuehne+Nagel marks an important new chapter for the company. He noted that combining Eastway’s deep aerospace expertise with Kuehne+Nagel’s global reach will allow the business to expand its The acquisition complements footprint and enhance service offerings for Kuehne+Nagel’s existing aerospace logistics customers worldwide. offering and supports its targeted bolt-on acquisition strategy. Yngve Ruud, Member The transaction is subject to regulatory and customary closing of the Management Board responsible for approvals Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, said Eastway conditions, with completion expected by brings a strong customer base and proven the end of 2025. Upon completion, Eastway expertise, accelerating the company’s will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuehne+Nagel.

Berli Jucker Logistics partners with DHL Supply Chain Thailand to elevate Thailand’s logistics to global standards The partnership aims to enhance distribution efficiency across the Group while establishing a scalable logistics and supply chain platform to serve both existing and new customers, particularly in high-potential sectors such as healthcare, where precision and compliance are critical. Through the collaboration, BJL is set to evolve into an international-standard logistics provider supporting industries including consumer goods, packaging and healthcare products.

(L-R) Mrs. Dusanee Merling, Executive Vice President – Portfolio Management, Big C, Mr. Aswin Techajareonvikul, Executive Vice Chairman, BJL, Mrs. Thapanee Techajareonvikul, CEO and President, BJL, Mr. Javier Bilbao, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific, Mr. Steve Walker, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Thailand Cluster and Mr. Kenny Thai, CFO, For DHL Supply Chain, the joint venture provides strategic access to Thailand’s DHL Supply Chain Thailand Cluster

Berli Jucker Logistics (BJL), under the BJC Big C Group, has entered into a joint venture with DHL Supply Chain (Thailand), marking a key step in transforming BJC Big C Group’s logistics operations to international standards.

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The agreement was signed on 7 November 2025 at Big C House by senior executives from both organisations, including BJC CEO and President Thapanee Techajareonvikul and DHL Supply Chain leadership from Thailand and Asia Pacific.

Mrs. Thapanee said the collaboration reflects BJC Big C Group’s vision to build a fully integrated supply chain and elevate Thailand’s logistics standards to global benchmarks, with healthcare as a key growth focus. DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific CEO Javier Bilbao described the joint venture as a strategic move to deliver smarter, more resilient supply chains, while DHL Thailand CEO Steve Walker noted it builds on more than two decades of collaboration between the two groups.

fast-growing economy and strengthens its footprint in a key Southeast Asian trade hub.

By leveraging DHL’s global best practices, digital capabilities and operational expertise, the partnership is designed to raise service The BJC–DHL joint venture is positioned to standards and drive innovation across end- drive sustainable growth and strengthen to-end supply chains.

Thailand’s logistics ecosystem.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

NEWS - LOGISTICS Quicktron Robotics launches the QuickMix suite of integrated goodshandling technologies for Singapore Quicktron Robotics has announced the launch of QuickMix, its latest generation of intralogistics solutions, which will debut in Singapore. The company showcased its QuickMix at the CeMAT Asia 2025 in Shanghai. QuickMix is an integrated suite of goods-handling technologies, including G2P systems, QuickBin+, QuickBin Ultra, QuickCube and mixed picking workstations.

Designed as a hybrid solution, QuickMix combines tote-to-person, shelf-to-person, pallet-to-person, high-density storage and flexible transport within a single robot control system (RCS). Built for multirobot collaboration, the platform allows warehouses to adapt quickly to complex and changing operational demands.

Key

advantages

include

integration within one warehouse, a unified system architecture that connects multiple device types to upstream business systems, modular scalability for future growth, and an optimised balance between storage density, throughput and operating costs.

At the core of the solution is Quicktron’s QuickCube pallet automation platform, which enables ultra-dense storage using four-way shuttle robots and compact lifts embedded into rack structures. QuickCube supports full-pallet handling, case picking and replenishment of QuickBin Ultra high-density tote storage. For outbound flows, mobile robots and omnidirectional unmanned forklifts manage pallet movement to loading docks.

vertical tote handling, supporting up to 600 totes per hour per workstation when paired with Quicktron’s bin pickers and tote movers. The system can also integrate with existing tote-handling infrastructure or conveyor lines.

All hardware is centrally configured and managed via Quicktron’s RCS platform, simplifying operations while enhancing scalability across diverse warehouse multi-scenario QuickBin Ultra delivers high-throughput scenarios.

DHL Group shows confidence in India with investments of around EUR 1 billion in the country until 2030 DHL Group announced plans to invest approximately €1 billion in India by 2030, underscoring its confidence in the country as a key growth market under its Strategy 2030 – Accelerate Sustainable Growth.

The multi-year investment spans all DHL business units and focuses on highgrowth sectors including life sciences and healthcare, new energy, e-commerce, digitalisation, and sustainable logistics.

DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer said the investment reflects confidence in India’s diversification strategy and businessfriendly policies, while expanding reliable and more sustainable logistics solutions.

India’s growing role in global trade is supported by increasing export reach across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, aligning with DHL’s extensive global network.

Key infrastructure projects include DHL Supply Chain India’s first Health Logistics hub in Bhiwandi, Blue Dart’s largest lowemission integrated facilities in Bijwasan and Haryana, DHL Express India’s first automated sorting centre in Delhi, a fifth DHL IT Services Centre in Indore, and an Electric Vehicle (EV) and Battery Logistics Centre of Excellence in Chennai and Mumbai.

A major focus is life sciences and healthcare, where DHL continues to expand cold chain, temperature-controlled warehousing and end-to-end logistics solutions. In new energy, DHL is developing specialised capabilities for EVs, batteries and renewable energy projects. E-commerce investments will strengthen automation, last-mile delivery and air express capacity, led by Blue Dart.

L-R: Vikas Anand (Managing Director, India, DHL Supply Chain), Edwin Pinto (Managing Director, India, DHL Global Forwarding), Tobias Meyer (CEO of DHL Group), R.S. Subramanian (SVP – South Asia and Managing Director, India, DHL Express) and Balfour Manuel (Managing Director, Blue Dart)

Sustainability is central to the strategy, with fleet electrification, low-emission facilities and growing adoption of GoGreen Plus, enabling customers to reduce supply chain emissions using sustainable fuels.

Digitalisation underpins these efforts, with India emerging as a key DHL technology and innovation hub.

China remains a strong growth market for Gebrüder Weiss While China’s latest economic indicators point to a cooling cycle, Gebrüder Weiss remains confident in its long-term prospects in the market, reporting continued revenue growth in China in 2025. The company says the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector remains a key growth driver.

China’s GDP grew 4.8% in Q3 2025, down from 5.2% earlier in the year, amid trade tensions, weak domestic demand and a slowdown in real estate. Against this backdrop, Gebrüder Weiss has strengthened its position by expanding warehousing capacity and specialised e-fulfilment and e-commerce services, securing new customers across sectors such as automotive, machinery and electronics.

with Gebrüder Weiss Express China shipping 25 million parcels in 2024 to destinations including Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The European Union remains the company’s largest and fastestgrowing market.

“Our steady growth highlights the strategic importance of China for Gebrüder Weiss,” said Yongquan Chen, General Manager of Gebrüder Weiss China, noting the company’s strengths across air, sea, rail and multimodal transport, as well as warehouse logistics.

Active in China for more than 30 years, Gebrüder Weiss now operates 19 locations with over 450 employees across Greater China. The company plans further Gebrüder Weiss Greater China closed investments in electromobility and 2024 with revenues of around €330 automation to support sustainable logistics million, up 24% year-on-year. Cross-border solutions and continued growth. e-commerce continues to perform strongly,

Four branches are celebrating major anniversaries in 2025. Qingdao marks 30 years.

Beijing, Tianjin and Ningbo each mark 25 years.

During the official ceremony in Ningbo, Country Manager Yongquan Chen (centre) honoured the first employees of these locations. From left to right: Yucai Hu (Deputy Branch Manager, Ningbo), Xiaoyu Li (Branch Manager, Qingdao), John Zha (Branch Manager, Tianjin), Michael Zhang (former Branch Manager, Beijing, currently Head of Project and Intermodal Transport). (Source: Gebrüder Weiss)

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - LOGISTICS Lufthansa Cargo and CEVA Logistics sign SAF agreement

(L-R) Jérôme Petit, Global Air & Ocean Leader at CEVA Logistics, Ashwin Bhat, CEO at Lufthansa Cargo, Loïc Gay, Global Air & Ocean Products VP at CEVA Logistics, Anand Kulkarni, Head of Global Markets at Lufthansa Cargo

Lufthansa Cargo and CEVA Logistics have converted their Memorandum of Understanding on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into a binding long-term agreement running until the end of 2028.

The agreement was signed on 21 November at CEVA Logistics’ Airfreight Annual Strategic Partners Council in Paris.

Under the agreement, CEVA Logistics has committed to using SAF credits in 2025, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 8,000 tonnes of CO₂.

The move formalises a partnership built over many years and reflects a shared commitment to transparency, measurable emissions reduction and certified sustainability standards.

highlights the importance of strong industry partnerships.

The framework agreement also structures further collaboration on SAF, enabling additional measures over time. The SAF used is derived exclusively from waste and residual materials, is palm oil-free, and meets the highest international sustainability standards. Emissions reductions are Loic Gay, Global Air & Ocean Products independently verified through audited VP at CEVA Logistics, said the agreement Emission Mitigation Certificates and Proof enables the company to significantly reduce of Sustainability documentation. its carbon footprint while working with a partner that prioritises clear sustainability The SAF agreement forms part of a frameworks and reliable certification. broader sustainability partnership between Lufthansa Cargo’s Head of Global Markets, Lufthansa Cargo and CEVA Logistics, which Anand Kulkarni, said CEVA’s commitment also includes knowledge sharing, circular to SAF demonstrates decisive action in economy initiatives, and joint innovation support of air cargo decarbonisation and and research projects aimed at advancing sustainable air freight solutions.

Cheong, Regional Sustainability GEODIS pilots Southeast Asia’s first cross-border Esther Director, GEODIS Asia Pacific and Middle East, said the initiative demonstrates how trucking service using renewable diesel renewable fuels can deliver immediate

GEODIS launched Southeast Asia’s first cross-border trucking operation powered by renewable diesel, marking a major step in decarbonising regional road logistics. The pilot uses a dedicated Euro-5 truck operating from Singapore to the Thailand–Malaysia border, fuelled with Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, supplied by Neste and distributed

by Singapore-based fuel solutions provider and scalable emissions reductions while Interion. supporting more sustainable supply chains.

Renewable diesel, also known as Neste’s Vice President for Renewable Fuels hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is Sales & Trading, Mario Mifsud, said the produced from 100% renewable raw collaboration highlights the role renewable materials, such as used cooking oil and diesel can play in lowering the climate impact animal fat waste. As a drop-in fuel, it can of road transport in Southeast Asia. Interion be used in existing diesel engines without Director Peh Khian Hui added that the pilot modification and delivers up to 90% lifecycle underscores the importance of value-chain greenhouse gas emissions reduction collaboration in advancing cleaner energy solutions. compared with conventional diesel.

The pilot will assess real-world fuel performance, cross-border operational feasibility, supply chain reliability and carbon-reduction outcomes. Insights gained will guide GEODIS’ plans to scale renewable fuel adoption across its Asia Pacific road network.

SAL and SILZ sign strategic agreement to advance logistics ecosystem in the Kingdom

This collaboration is designed to enhance the operational environment within Riyadh Integrated and ensure tenants have access to the most advanced logistics capabilities.

Mr. Omar Talal Hariri, CEO of SAL Logistics Services, commented: “This agreement marks a strategic milestone in SAL’s commitment to advancing the logistics infrastructure of the Kingdom. By utilising our integrated solutions, we are positioned to serve SILZ Company tenants with enhanced efficiency, contributing directly to the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a central The agreement establishes a framework hub for global supply chains”. where SILZ will enable its tenants to leverage SAL’s comprehensive suite of Dr. Fadi Al-Buhairan, CEO of the Special integrated logistics solutions and services. Integrated Logistics Zone Company (SILZ), SAL Logistics Services and the Special Integrated Logistics Zone Company (SILZ) announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement. This partnership is a major step in promoting and expanding high-quality logistics services for tenants within the Riyadh Integrated zone.

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

The initiative supports GEODIS’ SBTiapproved climate targets and broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, with plans to expand renewable fuel use across regional cross-border operations.

confirmed that: “Partnering with SAL, a company known for its deep national expertise and advanced operational capabilities, is a strategic imperative that elevates our operational ecosystem and expands growth opportunities for our partners within SILZ Company. We are focused on fostering a highly developed logistics environment that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and solidifies the Kingdom’s standing in global supply chains”.

This cooperation represents a significant contribution toward establishing a more advanced and resilient supply chain, supporting the national economy and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global logistics competitiveness. It is a key pillar in shaping the future of the logistics sector in line with the momentum of Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.

NEWS - MRO HAECO expands line maintenance partnership with JAL at Shanghai Pudong International Airport HAECO expanded its line maintenance partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL) at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, marking the first time JAL has entrusted an overseas MRO provider with advanced, non-routine maintenance tasks. Under the enhanced partnership, HAECO will perform technical inspection, lubrication, testing and cleaning services at one of JAL’s key outstations.

“We are honoured to be the first international MRO appointed by JAL to deliver specialised line maintenance services at their Chinese Mainland outstation,” said Gerald Steinhoff, Chief Commercial Officer of HAECO. “This partnership reflects JAL’s confidence in HAECO’s capabilities and reinforces our

long-standing collaboration, which has expanded in scope and geographic coverage since 2018, including Beijing, Dalian, Harbin, over the years.”

Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai Pudong and Takashi Koimai, Senior Vice President – Tianjin. By 2024, the partnership expanded Aircraft Maintenance Center Narita at JAL to include JAL’s own fleet in Beijing, Dalian, Engineering, said the agreement represents Shanghai Pudong and Tianjin, further a major milestone for both companies. demonstrating trust in HAECO’s technical “We are proud to assign our first planned expertise. maintenance entrustment at an overseas station to HAECO. As an airline committed to A global nose-to-tail MRO provider with the highest standards of safety and service operations in Hong Kong, the Chinese quality, we value having a long-standing Mainland, Europe and the U.S., HAECO delivers line maintenance services to more partner who can support our operations.” than 140 airlines across 19 stations in Hong HAECO has supported Spring Japan – JAL’s Kong and the Mainland. Both companies joint venture – with routine line maintenance are exploring additional stations to further at multiple Chinese Mainland outstations extend this specialised collaboration.

AIR ONE International Holdings establishes AIR ONE Technics at MBR Aerospace Hub, Dubai South AIR ONE International Holdings has established AIR ONE Technics, a UAE-based company providing line maintenance and continuing airworthiness management services for the group’s fleet.

Located at MBR Aerospace Hub, Dubai South, AIR ONE Technics will support the group’s technical operations in the United Arab Emirates.

The new company is led by Ayrat Gilmutdinov, Chief Executive Officer. Ayrat is a results-oriented aviation leader with extensive experience in strategic and operational roles, bringing a strong focus on innovation, process optimisation, and data-driven decision-making. Alex John, who has also joined the company as Director of Supply Chain & Logistics, brings over 35 years of expertise in aviation materials

and logistics management across major Middle Eastern carriers, with a proven record in building efficient, compliant, and technology-driven supply chain systems.

Ayrat Gilmutdinov commented: “AIR ONE Technics has been established to strengthen our commitment to safety, quality, and operational reliability – values that define every aspect of how AIR ONE serves its customers.”

Confirming AIR ONE Technics’ new location at MBRAH in Dubai South are Guneet Mirchandani, Chairman of AIR ONE International Holdings and Tahnoon Saif, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.

AIR ONE Technics forms part of AIR ONE International Holdings, a global aviation group with activities spanning aircraft operations, commercial management, and technical support across key international markets.

the attractiveness of Dubai South as a destination for specialised aviation investments. We remain committed to enabling companies with advanced capabilities to grow and thrive, contributing Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed bin to the development of a robust, sustainable, Rashid Aerospace Hub, said: “The launch of and future-ready aviation sector in the UAE.” AIR ONE Technics at MBRAH underscores

Warburg Pincus acquires Topcast Accelya, CAMP Systems, Extant Aerospace, TransDigm, Triumph, Wencor and others.

The firm has over 30 years of investment experience in the Asia Pacific and has invested approximately US$34 billion in more than 270 companies in the region, global partnerships and accelerates reflecting its partnership-oriented, long- sustainable growth.” term growth approach.

Topcast CEO Orson Lo said the acquisition “Asia Pacific is one of the most dynamic marks an exciting new chapter. “Warburg civil aviation markets in the world,” said Pincus’ sector expertise, global network and Ben Zhou, Managing Director and Co-Head growth-focused philosophy will strengthen of China Private Equity at Warburg Pincus. our ability to deliver best-in-class service “Topcast has built a strong reputation as a and innovative solutions across Asia Pacific trusted partner to airlines, MROs and OEMs. and beyond. We will continue investing Warburg Pincus is one of the most active We look forward to supporting the company in our people, infrastructure and digital private equity investors in the global aviation as it deepens local capabilities, expands capabilities to better serve partners around sector, with current and past investments in the world.”

Warburg Pincus has acquired Topcast Aviation Supplies Company Limited, the largest independent distributor of civil aviation parts and MRO services in the Asia Pacific. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Hong Kong, Topcast provides integrated aviation solutions, including aircraft parts and consumables distribution, buyerfurnished equipment, OEM services, and repair and maintenance support. With strong market leadership in Greater China and operations across Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas, the company serves airlines, MROs, and OEMs worldwide.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - EXPRESS Emirates Courier Express launches in Germany, expanding European footprint

Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Emirates SkyCargo, said: “With our high-frequency flight schedule and world-class infrastructure, Emirates Courier Express brings a new dynamic to Germany’s logistics ecosystem. We can provide tailormade solutions across industries, carrying everything from pharmaceuticals to automotive parts, and offer quicker, more direct shipments into key markets such as the Middle East, Africa and Australia.”

Emirates Courier Express better to serve one of Europe’s most important manufacturing hubs. From Frankfurt, the service will connect major industries—life sciences, healthcare, textiles, automotive, aviation, and industrial engineering—to international partners and suppliers with bespoke, scalable logistics options. Within a four-hour radius of the city lies a large concentration Most shipments will travel on Emirates’ Emirates Courier Express has expanded of Germany’s production centres, making passenger flights, with an additional six its European footprint with the launch the launch particularly impactful. weekly freighter services to Frankfurt of operations in Germany, establishing a providing capacity for various cargo sizes. headquarters in Frankfurt to offer a direct, Emirates operates 21 weekly flights in each The service is fully digital, integrating door-to-door cross-border delivery solution direction between Dubai and Frankfurt, directly into customer systems and offering for both B2B supply chains and B2C offering morning, afternoon, and evening advanced tracking and real-time updates departures. Supported by Frankfurt’s strong shippers. from pickup to delivery. road network, Emirates Courier Express will The move marks a strategic step in the cover nationwide deliveries with 3–5-day company’s global expansion, positioning timelines.

FedEx survey reveals 85% of APAC SMEs confident in Europe trade growth

Federal Express Corporation has released new survey insights on trade lane trends between Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, highlighting the opportunities and challenges shaping cross-border growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Conducted in September 2025, the study polled 850 SMEs across 13 APAC markets and more than 1,200 SMEs across

opportunities, with 85% of APAC firms planning to grow their European trade within 12–24 months. European businesses, in turn, are eyeing APAC for its strategic nine European markets. prospects, logistics capabilities, and The results show strong momentum on both favourable trade agreements. sides of the trade lane. Seventy-six percent However, challenges remain. Regulatory of APAC SMEs reported higher export shifts, customs complexity, and global volumes to Europe over the past year, with volatility affect 86% of APAC SMEs and 78% the UK, Germany, and France identified as of European SMEs. Many are seeking digital key growth destinations. Meanwhile, 87% of tools and customs expertise to improve European SMEs have shifted or maintained visibility, streamline shipping, and reduce trade toward APAC, with China, Japan, and delays.

South Korea seen as top markets over the next two years. The Asia–Europe corridor To meet rising Asia–Europe demand, FedEx itself has logged 30 consecutive months of has added flights, enhanced Vietnam– growth.

Europe connectivity, and now operates 26 weekly flights linking APAC to Europe, Growth drivers include strong European supported by an integrated air-and-road demand for APAC goods, increased network and a suite of digital trade tools. competitiveness, and wider expansion

network enhancement aligns with DHL Express strengthens Penang connectivity with The Malaysia’s growing role in global supply chains, particularly in electronics and additional capacity to support trade momentum

semiconductors. Penang recorded EUR 2.56 billion (RM12.5 billion) in manufacturing investments in the first half of 2025—a 150% increase from the previous year. DHL says the move also reflects insights from the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker 2025, which shows Asia Pacific’s expanding influence in “Penang has long been an attractive global trade and ranks Malaysia among the destination for tech giants, and we are top 10 fastest-growing trading nations in proud of our strong footprint supporting early 2025. that growth,” said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation Malaysia remains one of DHL Group’s top – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “By introducing 20 high-potential markets, underscored by a larger aircraft and a daily schedule, we’re this year’s DHL GoTrade Summit in Kuala reinforcing our commitment to connecting Lumpur, which highlighted the company’s Asia’s innovation hubs with the world and commitment to advancing local enterprise maintaining the flexibility needed to serve and regional competitiveness. evolving customer needs.”

Operated daily with partner Raya Airways, the larger aircraft offers greater payload and range, improving connectivity for Penang-based manufacturers shipping to Hong Kong and global markets.

DHL Express has strengthened its network with increased capacity on the Hong Kong– Penang route, deploying a Boeing 767 freighter to replace the smaller Airbus A321.

The upgrade adds 20 tons of cargo capacity per flight, supporting rising demand for time-sensitive shipments from Malaysia’s technology and semiconductor sectors.

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NEWS - FREIGHT FORWARDERS cargo.one unveils enhanced AI quoting and operational control tools to help freight forwarders handle peak season volume cargo.one has unveiled its latest product release, introducing five new capabilities designed to boost freight forwarder productivity ahead of the peak season.

The update includes enhanced AI-powered quoting, multi-lane tender rate procurement, a single source of truth for rates, customerspecific pricing rules, and real-time quoting analytics, all built on cargo.one’s scalable enterprise platform.

Peak season places intense pressure on freight forwarders, with higher volumes, faster customer expectations and limited operational capacity. cargo.one’s new release addresses these challenges by streamlining traditionally manual, time-consuming workflows and enabling teams to scale efficiently without additional headcount.

Building on its July update, cargo.one’s AIpowered Quoting now generates complete, ready-to-send customer quotes aligned with expert rate selection preferences. Forwarders can send quotes instantly or review and edit them, significantly increasing quoting throughput. For tenders and RFPs, the new Tender Feeder allows users to download rate data for multi-lane tenders in a single export, reducing processes that previously took days to minutes.

Three new enterprise control tools further enhance pricing consistency and visibility.

Rate Engine centralises buy, internal and sell rates in one interface, while Sales Profiles automatically apply customer-specific pricing rules. Quoting Insights provides real-time analytics on response times, conversion rates and performance by route or customer, enabling on-the-fly optimisation.

cargo.one Founder and Co-CEO Moritz Claussen said the release reflects the company’s focus on combining AI automation with high-quality rate data to deliver measurable operational gains.

All new features are available immediately, enabling forwarders to handle higher volumes with speed, accuracy and control.

Thailand freighter Pattaya Airways joins WebCargo by Freightos platform, expanding air cargo access in Southeast Asia Freightos announced that Thai freighter operator Pattaya Airways has joined WebCargo by Freightos’ platform, enabling freight forwarders to digitally book and pay for cargo capacity across Pattaya’s Southeast Asia network.

Through this integration, freight forwarders on the platform gain digital access to Pattaya Airways’ regional routes, connecting major Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic centres. Initially, booking between Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City will be available, with plans to expand to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.

“Welcoming Pattaya Airways to our platform is another step toward making global trade smoother and more responsive,” said Zvi Schreiber, CEO of Freightos. “As Thailand strengthens its position in global trade networks, having instant digital access to regional freighters like Pattaya Airways allows freight forwarders to build more responsive supply chains for their customers.”

it’s about keeping up with how freight really moves today, ” said Nat Boonyavichkanont, Chief Executive Officer of Pattaya Airways Company Ltd. “Pattaya Airways is proud to collaborate with WebCargo by Freightos to enhance digital air-cargo accessibility across Southeast Asia. This partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering faster “For us, this isn’t just about going digital — booking capabilities, greater transparency,

and seamless regional connectivity for our customers. Forwarders today want to compare routes, book in minutes, pay for cargo, and keep their customers happy.

Expanding our access on WebCargo

by Freightos lets us meet them where they already work — and that’s good for everyone, from small local shippers to big regional players.”

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - GSSAs AVS GSA officially appointed as the GSA for DHL Aviation in Malaysia

AVS GSA Services (M) Sdn. Bhd. (AVS GSA), the Malaysian arm of ECS Group, has been appointed as DHL Aviation’s national representative effective 1 November 2025.

DHL Aviation operates dedicated freighters connecting Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Hong Kong and Singapore, with onward links to key markets including Thailand,

India, Japan, Korea, Bahrain, the Middle DHL Aviation operates a fleet that includes Airbus A320 and Boeing 767 freighters East, Europe, and the United States. across the Asia Pacific. From Kuala “Congratulations to AVS GSA Services on Lumpur, it flies to Singapore and Hong winning the DHL Aviation tender at this Kong, while Penang is connected to Hong pivotal point in DHL’s Asian strategy,” Kong, with additional capacity available said Jean Ceccaldi, CEO of ECS Group. via road feeder links through Singapore.

He noted that DHL Aviation’s business in These routes support Malaysia’s major Malaysia has grown rapidly over the past export commodities, including electrical two years, supported by the country’s and electronic components, medical and emergence as a fast-rising manufacturing pharmaceutical goods, and e-commerce and transhipment hub within DHL’s intra- shipments.

Asia network. Malaysia is one of DHL’s top 20 growth markets, with multimillion- AVS GSA Managing Director Yussof Amiroel dollar investments strengthening logistics said the company is committed to elevating infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. DHL Aviation’s freighter performance, Ceccaldi added that AVS GSA’s commercial combining local market knowledge with expertise will help optimise load factors advanced digital sales tools to support on DHL Aviation’s flights and road feeder Malaysia’s high-value export industries. services from Malaysia’s key cargo hubs.

Astral Aviation appoints TAM Group as exclusive cargo General Sales and Service Agent for Hong Kong and Macau The partnership will strengthen Astral Aviation’s sales presence and customer engagement in the dynamic East Asian cargo market. Under the agreement, TAM Group will oversee all cargo sales, marketing, and client relations on behalf of Astral Aviation, while promoting the airline’s network connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Astral Aviation Limited, a leading cargo airline based in Nairobi, Kenya, is pleased to announce the signing of a Cargo General Sales and Service Agency (GSSA) Agreement with TAM Group, headquartered in Hong Kong SAR. The agreement took effect on 1st November 2025.

Oman Air Cargo appoints five new GSAs and announces two new offline route

reinforces our commitment to building robust trade lanes that connect Africa with Asia’s leading logistics hubs.”

Mr. Anindam Choudhury, Vice President – Commercial of TAM Group, added: “We are proud to represent Astral Aviation in this strategic partnership. Our focus will be to promote Astral’s cargo services across key markets and offer seamless solutions for Speaking during the signing, Mr. Sanjeev clients moving freight between Asia and Gadhia, Chief Executive Officer of Astral Africa.”

Aviation, said: The agreement, effective until 31st October “We are delighted to partner with TAM 2027, aligns with Astral Aviation’s ongoing Group, whose strong market expertise global expansion strategy. It underscores and customer network in Hong Kong and the airline’s mission to enhance accessibility, Macau will play a vital role in expanding reliability, and service excellence across its Astral’s footprint in Asia. This appointment intercontinental cargo network Oman Air Cargo has announced five new to Australia and Japan, reflects the strong General Sales Agent (GSA) partnerships, momentum behind Oman Air Cargo,” said bringing two new offline routes to Australia Michael Duggan, Head of Cargo, Oman Air. and Japan.

“These new partnerships enable us to The two new offline routes will be serviced serve our customers more effectively,

by GSA Australia Cargo and World Prime extend our global reach, and build on the transformation of the airline.”

Services.

The other three new GSAs, Al Madinah Along with the new contracts, which will last Travel Company, MGH Logistics, and APG, two years, Oman Air Cargo has also renewed will service online routes to Kuwait, Qatar, a number of GSA contracts, lasting one year. and Saudi Arabia, respectively.

To mark the milestone, the airline hosted 27 “The expansion of our GSA network, representatives from its GSA network at an including the launch of new offline routes event in Muscat, Oman.

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NEWS - IT Hellmann partners with cargo.one to upgrade its air cargo procurement and sales technology Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and cargo.one have announced a new strategic technology partnership that will see Hellmann integrate several cargo.one solutions—including Advanced Rate Management, the Quotes API, Live Estimates data, and cargo.one pro—into its global air freight procurement and sales processes. The collaboration aims to boost efficiency, automate workflows, and improve productivity and customer experience.

With increasing market volatility, capacity constraints, and higher customer expectations for speed, air freight quoting has become more complex. By adopting cargo.one’s rate management and quoting technology, Hellmann expects gains in

productivity, agility, and profitability. The upgraded setup includes complete buy and sell rate management, local charges, and trucking costs through a customised version of cargo.one’s Advanced Rate Management.

Integrated into Hellmann’s proprietary HITS quotation system and CargoWise One TMS, the Quotes API will allow the forwarder to generate faster, more accurate quotes.

Replacing multiple legacy tools with a single integrated system, Hellmann teams will benefit from improved rate visibility, precise cost data, and structured analytics to strengthen procurement performance.

Teams will be better equipped to navigate pricing and routing complexities and provide customers with more reliable and

competitive rates.

The scalable system allows Hellmann to consistently optimise its air cargo pricing while ensuring high standards for data quality, reliability, and quoting performance.

Jettainer selects Trackonomy’s next-generation IoT tracking technology for its global ULD fleet Jettainer is upgrading its global Unit Load Device (ULD) fleet with next-generation IoT tracking technology from Trackonomy under a new long-term strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to deliver real-time, endto-end visibility across the ULD supply chain, reducing losses, increasing efficiency, and enabling smarter, data-driven operations.

Traditional ULD tracking relies heavily on fixed airport reader infrastructure, creating blind spots that limit visibility. Trackonomy’s hybrid solution overcomes this by combining LoRa and BLE readers at major locations with cellular-enabled devices that work as mobile readers. These units use meshing technology to form a dynamic, selfexpanding network that captures far more precise movement and location data.

The enhanced visibility enables Jettainer to pinpoint where each ULD is located and how long it remains there, dramatically cutting search times and accelerating the recovery of misplaced equipment. The data also provides new insights for optimising ULD fleet utilisation and improving processes more than 15 million shipments daily and throughout the asset lifecycle. will soon support over 200 million reusable “Tracking has become a critical factor in transport items, including nearly 20% of air cargo operations,” said Dr. Jan-Wilhelm all ULDs worldwide. “Collaborations with Breithaupt, CEO of Jettainer. “Integrating partners like Jettainer are key to realising cellular connectivity and meshing technology our vision for scalable, industrial-grade represents a major step forward. Together digital transformation,” he said. with Trackonomy, we’re delivering more transparency, efficiency, and intelligence to The partnership reinforces Jettainer’s commitment to digital innovation and our customers.” strengthens its role as a technology-enabled Trackonomy CEO Erik Volkerink noted that solutions provider for airlines and cargo the company’s platform already orchestrates operators worldwide.

Korean Air expands direct system connection for cargo customers Korean Air has launched a new Application Programming Interface (API)-based solution that enables direct integration between its cargo system and its customers’ in-house systems.

customers to perform key tasks such as checking schedules, viewing rates, making reservations, and transmitting waybills directly from proprietary platforms without having to access a separate system.

“This API integration is a key part of our digital transformation,” said a Korean Air representative. “We are proactively enhancing our operations to lead innovation and solidify our position as a leading global The new API solution allows for the real-time air cargo airline.” exchange of data. This integration enables This initiative is part of the airline’s response to rapid e-commerce growth and the increasing market demand for greater logistics transparency and efficiency.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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NEWS - ASSOCIATIONS CAAS sets up Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company Ltd to centrally procure SAF

Beyond mandated demand, SAFCo will also pool voluntary SAF purchases from organisations seeking credible emissions (Amendment) Bill in October 2025, which reductions. By leveraging economies of empowers CAAS to collect a SAF Levy, set up scale, businesses can access competitively a SAF Fund, and procure and manage SAF priced, verified SAF without building their and its environmental attributes (EAs). Levy own procurement systems. details will be announced later.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has established the Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company Ltd. (SAFCo), a non-profit entity that will centrally procure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and support Singapore’s national SAF policy. Fully owned by CAAS, SAFCo will be chaired by CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan, with Tan Seow Hui appointed as founding CEO.

Initial priorities include establishing procurement and governance frameworks, SAFCo aims to build a transparent, aggregated SAF demand market involving setting up levy collection processes, and airlines, corporate buyers, fuel producers, preparing for the first SAF procurement in and carbon market platforms. It will procure 2026. SAFCo will also contribute to regional SAF to meet Singapore’s 1% SAF target for SAF ecosystem development by providing departing flights in 2026, rising to 3–5% demand certainty to producers.

by 2030, depending on global supply. Mr Han said SAFCo will “activate a SAF SAF and SAF EAs will be sourced through ecosystem” and enhance sustainable competitive tenders from suppliers meeting aviation. CEO Tan Seow Hui said the focus international standards such as CORSIA. will be on building scalable systems and Stable levy revenue will support longer-term SAFCo was created following the passing supply contracts to improve pricing and partnerships to drive SAF adoption in Singapore and the region. of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore availability.

SAAA@Singapore and IATA host 5th Air Cargo Day 2025

The Singapore Air Cargo Agents Association (SAAA@Singapore), in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), hosted the 5th SAAA-IATA Air Cargo Day 2025 on 7 November at Tanah Merah Country Club. Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling officiated the event as Guest of Honour.

Established in 1971, SAAA@Singapore represents the nation’s air cargo community and continues to champion collaboration, regulatory trust, and innovation as the

sector evolves. The biennial Air Cargo Day such as training, regulatory compliance, serves as a key platform for strengthening workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships and reinforcing Singapore’s partnerships to support skills upgrading position as a global air cargo hub. and industry transformation. Partners include IATA, the Ministry of Transport, the A major highlight was the launch of the Singapore National Employers Federation, Job Redesign (JR) Playbook for Aviation, the Association of Small and Medium developed by the Institute for Human Enterprises, the Association of Aerospace Resource Professionals (IHRP), Workforce Industries (Singapore), the Singapore Singapore (WSG), SAAA@Singapore and the Semiconductor Industry Association, and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). the Logistics & Supply Chain Management The playbook offers practical guidance Society. for companies adopting job redesign to build workforce resilience and operational Through these strengthened partnerships, excellence.

SAAA@Singapore aims to enhance industry capabilities, improve compliance and SAAA@Singapore also announced deeper operational standards, and foster greater collaboration with government, industry, knowledge exchange to support Singapore’s and trade partners through the signing standing as a globally connected, innovationof seven Memoranda of Understanding driven air cargo hub.

(MOUs). These agreements cover areas

TIACA welcomes Magma Aviation as its newest member

Magma Aviation, an industry-leading air cargo specialist, announced its membership with The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) during the Air Cargo Forum 2025 held in Abu Dhabi in November 2025.

Magma Aviation’s growing influence and steady expansion over the past years have achieved a new milestone by officially joining more than 500 industry leaders

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across all segments of the air freight supply Magma Aviation the opportunity to be part chain, with the shared goal of developing a of a global community of experts within the more efficient, modern, and unified global air cargo industry. Their forums, events, and air cargo industry. industry insights align perfectly with our growth ambitions, and it’s a great avenue TIACA connects the global air cargo for Magma Aviation to connect with industry community and provides a platform for players that set the global standards within its members for collaboration, powerful the air cargo industry,” said Peter Kerins, networking and training opportunities for CEO of Magma Aviation. its members. On top of the member-level benefits, the association also helps create Joining TIACA supports Magma Aviation’s policies that promote safe, efficient, and long-term growth ambition to be a trusted sustainable air cargo operations worldwide. global air cargo partner, leveraging the association’s vast knowledge of modern “TIACA plays a leading role in the air cargo industry standards, sustainability initiatives, industry, and joining the association gives and global networking opportunities.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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PEOPLE Swissport appoints Steven Polmans as Global SVP Cargo strategy, enhancing commercial performance, and strengthening Swissport’s position as an innovative service provider across the air cargo value chain.

Prior to joining Swissport, Polmans held senior roles including Vice President Business Development at Abu Dhabi Airports and Director of Cargo & Logistics at Brussels Airport Company, where he helped develop BRUcargo into a leading pharmaceutical logistics hub. He was also the founding Chairman of Air Cargo Belgium and Chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).

Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport, said Polmans’ experience in transforming cargo operations, building In his new role, Polmans will identify growth strategic partnerships, and driving innovation opportunities through organic expansion makes him well-suited to lead the next phase and strategic M&A, serving as the key contact Swissport has appointed Steven Polmans as of Swissport’s cargo growth. for commercial and business development Global Senior Vice President Cargo, reporting directly to the Global Cargo Chair. With more Polmans said he looks forward to working initiatives. Swissport’s air cargo division than 20 years of aviation experience, Polmans with Swissport’s global cargo teams to meet handles over 5 million tonnes annually across will lead Swissport’s global air cargo operations, customer expectations and deliver on the 117 cargo warehouses worldwide. focusing on driving the company’s cargo company’s ambitious growth plans.

Cargo Service Centre Group celebrates Chairman Tushar Jani’s appointment as co-vice Chair of TIACA Cargo Service Centre (CSC) Group of Companies has announced that its Chairman, Tushar Jani, has been elected Co-Vice Chair of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), marking a significant milestone for Indian representation in global air cargo leadership.

The announcement was made at Air Cargo Forum 2025, held from 3–6 November in Abu Dhabi, where TIACA introduced its new leadership team. Jani will serve alongside Emir Pineda of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department

as Co-Vice Chair, supporting newly appointed Chair Roos Bakker of ICTS Europe.

Jani’s appointment reflects more than five decades of leadership in India’s logistics and aviation sectors. He has played a pivotal role in advancing air cargo through innovation, infrastructure development and policy advocacy, including helping to establish India’s first private air cargo carrier and modernising express logistics in the country.

Aramex names Amadou Diallo as Group Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth logistics leadership experience, with a strong track record in driving transformation across freight, express and supply chain operations.

Most recently, he served as CEO for the Middle East & Africa at DHL Global Forwarding. During Aramex has announced the appointment his career, he has held senior leadership roles of Amadou Diallo as Group Chief Executive including CEO, CFO and COO across Europe, Officer, effective 1 May 2026, following Board Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. approval.

Until Diallo formally assumes the role, Nicolas Diallo brings more than 30 years of global Sibuet will continue as Acting Group CEO,

Commenting on his election, Jani said the role recognises India’s growing voice in global logistics and offers an opportunity to work with international partners to drive innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth across the air cargo industry leading Aramex through the close of the 2025 financial year and into 2026, ensuring continuity during the transition.

Captain Mohamed Juma Alshamsi, Chairman of Aramex, said Diallo’s global experience, operational depth and people-focused leadership make him well-positioned to lead the company into its next phase, while thanking Sibuet for his steady leadership.

Aramex said it is committed to a smooth leadership transition as it continues executing its Accelerate28 strategy and transformation programme.

Freightos appoints Michael Netter as CRO to drive global go-to-market strategy

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Freightos Limited has appointed Michael Netter as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), where he will lead the company’s global revenue strategy, sales execution and commercial growth.

senior roles, including VP of Intermodal Sales at project44 and Chief Revenue Officer at Synfioo, where he led the expansion of multimodal visibility solutions.

Netter brings extensive experience in B2B SaaS, digital logistics and go-to-market leadership.

Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sales EMEA at Proemion, an IoT and Industry 4.0 software company. He previously held

Freightos CEO Zvi Schreiber said Netter’s track record in scaling digital logistics platforms and building relationships across carriers, forwarders and shippers will support Freightos’ growth as it expands capabilities across air and ocean freight.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

Netter said he looks forward to helping connect carriers, forwarders and shippers through a unified digital platform and scaling Freightos’ global impact.

PEOPLE ECS Group strengthens leadership in Asia: Girish Kunder appointed Regional Manager Indian Subcontinent ECS Group has appointed Girish Kunder as Regional Manager, Indian Subcontinent (ISC), strengthening its leadership and growth strategy across one of the world’s fastestgrowing air cargo markets.

In his new role, Kunder will oversee operations across India and neighbouring markets through Globe Air Cargo and AVS. His priorities include strengthening airline partnerships, expanding market reach and accelerating digital transformation to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. He will be supported by ECS Group’s digital and operational ecosystem, including CargoTech, Healthc’Air, Mail&More and Squair.

The appointment supports ECS Group’s focus on high-potential regions, combining global scale with strong local expertise. Across Asia, ECS Group operates 32 subsidiaries in 14 countries, supporting more than 50 airline partners through commercial expertise, digital Kunder said the Indian innovation and operational excellence. presents strong growth

driven by e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and digitalisation, and that his focus will be on positioning ECS Group as the preferred GSSA partner in the region.

Jean Ceccaldi, CEO of ECS Group, said Kunder’s leadership and market expertise will help scale Subcontinent ECS Group’s presence and deliver value across opportunities key verticals.

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines announces leadership succession international aviation experience, having held senior commercial roles at Singapore Airlines and Delta Air Lines across network planning, revenue management and sales. Most recently, he served as Delta’s President – China, based in Shanghai, where he led market growth through the airline’s partnership with China Eastern Airlines. His career also includes leadership roles in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as experience with SATS and IATA.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has announced the appointment of Wong Hong as its next Director General, effective 1 April 2026. He succeeds Subhas Menon, who will step down after leading the Association As Director General, Wong will represent AAPA since 2020. and its member airlines on key aviation policy Wong brings more than 22 years of issues, reporting to the Executive Committee

and Assembly of Presidents.

Menon said he was confident AAPA would continue to thrive under Wong’s leadership as the region navigates a rapidly evolving aviation landscape. AAPA Chairman and Bangkok Airways President Puttipong PrasarttongOsoth welcomed Wong, citing his deep regional expertise and strategic insight.

Wong said he looks forward to working with member airlines and stakeholders to support the sustainable growth and competitiveness of Asia Pacific aviation.

Cor de Man appointed as CEO of Maastricht Aachen Airport Cor de Man has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST), effective 1 February 2026. The role spans both N.V. Holding B.V. Luchthaven Maastricht (NV HBLM) and Maastricht Aachen Airport Beheer & Infra (MAABI).

leadership roles at Turkish Airlines Cargo, UTi Worldwide/DSV, and Broekman Logistics. The Supervisory Board cited his strong commercial profile, international experience, and expertise in cargo, strategy and organisational development as key strengths.

De Man succeeds Jan Eerkens, who has served as interim CEO since November 2025 and will remain involved on an advisory basis during the transition.

Frans Weekers, Chair of NV HBLM’s Supervisory Board, said de Man will focus on strengthening operational performance, driving sustainable growth and positioning MST as an environmentally conscious regional An experienced aviation and logistics airport with international relevance for both executive, de Man has previously held senior passenger and cargo operations.

De Man said the coming years are critical for MST’s development, noting positive cargo momentum and strong foundations. He added that he looks forward to working with stakeholders to build a future-proof, financially healthy and sustainably operating airport

Qatar Airways Group appoints Hamad Ali Al-Khater as Group Chief Executive Officer

Qatar Airways Group announced the appointment of Mr. Hamad Ali Al‑Khater as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Sunday, 7 December 2025. Mr. Al‑Khater succeeds Engr. Badr Mohammed Al‑Meer.

Mr. Al-Khater joins Qatar Airways Group from

Hamad International Airport, where he has served as Chief Operating Officer. In that role, he was responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of airport operations, while leading its strategic direction, operational excellence, infrastructure expansion, and the continuous enhancement of passenger experience.

Prior to his tenure at Hamad International Airport, Mr. Al-Khater held senior roles across QatarEnergy, driving business development, deal execution, and leading large-scale strategic and operational initiatives.

Qatar Airways Group Board of Directors Chairman, His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, said, “Qatar Airways Group extends its appreciation to Engr. Badr Mohammed AlMeer for his service. As we welcome Mr. Hamad Ali Al-Khater, we look forward to building on the strong foundations and expansive global network of Qatar Airways, anchored by our exceptional team in Qatar and around the world. With this leadership transition, Qatar Airways Group reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class experiences, reliability, and innovation to travellers around the globe.”

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COMPANY PROFILE - CHAPMAN FREEBORN

Chapman Freeborn: Meeting charter demand where conventional capacity falls short In an air cargo environment shaped by volatility, shifting trade flows, and increasingly complex shipment requirements, air charter services continue to play a critical role in keeping supply chains moving. For Chapman Freeborn, timecritical, humanitarian, and outsized cargo remain central to its operations, anchoring the company’s position as a specialist within the broader air cargo ecosystem.

“Time-critical, humanitarian, and outsized cargo remain the core types of ad-hoc aircraft chartering requirements,” says Anton Lomakin, VP Cargo Airchartering – ASEAN at Chapman Freeborn Airchartering Pte Ltd. Within this ecosystem, Chapman Freeborn looks beyond one-off movements to provide value through more structured charter solutions. “Within the broader air cargo system, we concurrently look at economical ways of moving large volumes of e-commerce or other products with medium to long-term commitments, such as ACMI to add value to the various shippers by utilising air charters.”

to cargo that conventional carriers are unable or unwilling to carry. “Various types of dangerous or forbidden goods rejected by conventional carriers and requiring special handling or procedures to be carried are also a frequent commodity to uplift on charters.”

Responding to changing market dynamics Charter demand in 2025 has been influenced by geopolitical and regulatory developments, with trade patterns adjusting accordingly. “The US global tariffs caused a slight change in demand and routings, and we saw increased intra-Asia traffic this year,” Lomakin says. In such an environment, agility remains essential. “We remain, as always, agile and adaptable to be able to react to all changes in this volatile aircraft chartering industry.”

widebody aircraft component. “An airline had a critical AOG at their home hub, and as there were no main deck freighter services to their hub that could uplift an A330 main gear, we arranged an urgent charter for them.” To balance urgency with cost efficiency, Chapman Freeborn proposed an alternative solution. “We proposed using a part-charter solution that helped the customer to recover the stranded aircraft but also save cost concurrently.”

Growth opportunities looking ahead

As the industry looks toward 2026, Chapman Freeborn sees continued opportunity across both trade lanes and cargo verticals.

“The Asian and Latin American trade lanes have been progressively developing, and we see plenty of opportunities there,” Lomakin notes. In terms of cargo segments, demand is expected to be driven by several key industries. “In terms of industry verticals, This ability to respond quickly is often most we believe e-commerce, alongside pharma visible during urgent, high-stakes situations, and high-value goods such as electronics, particularly when conventional capacity is will drive the growth.” unavailable. Lomakin highlights a recent The scope of charter demand also extends aircraft-on-ground (AOG) case involving a Charter services continue to play a

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

COMPANY PROFILE - CHAPMAN FREEBORN

complementary role alongside scheduled belly and freighter capacity, particularly when demand shifts faster than airline networks can adapt. “Ad-hoc charter services will always be less cost-efficient compared to fine-tuned regular commercial service,” Lomakin acknowledges. However, response time remains a key differentiator.

“There is, however, a certain lag in airlines’ capability/response time to adapting cargo capacity on certain routes to an everchanging environment/demand.”

When these changes are sudden, charter demand follows. “When these changes in environment/demand are drastic or abrupt, there will always be a need by the customers (shippers) for Chapman Freeborn’s assistance to fill the void.” At the same time, the company also supports carriers facing excess capacity. “Correspondingly, carriers may experience occasional overcapacity and Chapman Freeborn can assist in redirecting it faster or even find new

niche cargo sources or markets, allowing grateful for the continued support from the airlines valuable time to adjust their both our customers and suppliers and scheduled capacity.” believe that maintaining close relationships and developing partnerships with both our People, partnerships, and industry customers and suppliers, whilst nurturing recognition the most professional teams, have always been the key to success.”

Behind its global operations, Chapman Freeborn places strong emphasis on Outlook for 2026 its people and collaborative culture.

“Training programs and continued on-the- Looking ahead, Lomakin expects capacity job guidance by senior team members growth to shape charter market dynamics contribute to the work and learning in the year ahead. “With a lot of wide-body experience of newer employees,” Lomakin aircraft freighters on order, we expect says. Collaboration across regions further supply will grow faster than demand in strengthens operational consistency. 2026, putting downward pressure on air “We also believe in working together as a charter rates with elevated premiums for global team instead of as separate teams, ad-hoc charters for quarter-end deliveries.” leveraging on one another’s local expertise As the air cargo industry enters another and knowledge.” period of adjustment, Chapman Freeborn’s This people-driven approach was reflected ability to respond where conventional in Chapman Freeborn’s recent recognition capacity falls short continues to define its as Air Charter Broker of the Year at the role within the global charter landscape.

12th Payload Asia Awards. “We are deeply

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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COVER STORY - ETIHAD CARGO

Turning recognition into momentum: Etihad Cargo’s roadmap to 2026 Winning Overall Carrier of the Year is a distinction few airlines earn once, and rarer still to secure across multiple regions. At the 12th Payload Asia Awards, Etihad Cargo achieved exactly that, taking home top honours for both Carrier of the Year - Middle East and Europe, a dual recognition that underscores the carrier’s expanding global relevance and strategic clarity at a time when the air cargo industry is navigating profound change.

For Etihad Cargo, the awards are not a culmination but a confirmation. As Chief Cargo Officer Stanislas Brun explains, the recognition reflects years of deliberate investment and disciplined execution. “Winning Overall Carrier of the Year for both the Middle East and Europe is an important recognition for the team as it reflects the strategic decisions made over the past few years,” he says. “It reinforces the effectiveness of our investments in capacity, network agility, and partnerships.”

A strategy shaped by demand In Europe, Etihad Cargo’s award-winning performance was closely tied to how it responded to shifting market dynamics in 2025. Rather than chasing growth indiscriminately, the carrier focused on strengthening its presence in highdemand hubs. “We expanded our footprint through increased frequencies to key hubs such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam and added London to our network, providing customers with improved connectivity and reliability,” Brun notes.

That strategy extends well beyond Europe.

In Asia, Etihad Cargo has steadily deepened its footprint, recognising the region’s role as both a production powerhouse and a consumption-driven growth market. Central to this expansion has been the carrier’s Joint Business Agreement with SF Airlines, which Brun describes as commercially and operationally significant.

translates into forward momentum.

According to Brun, the carrier enters 2026 with confidence that its strategy is delivering tangible value. “These recognitions support our plans for 2026 and confirm that our current strategy is delivering the right outcomes for our customers,” he says.

One of the most immediate enablers of growth has been the recovery and expansion of passenger operations, which have added valuable belly capacity to the network. Building on this, Etihad Cargo is preparing to extend its global reach further west with the addition of Charlotte to its US network — strengthening east–west connectivity and broadening options for shippers across transatlantic trade lanes.

“Around 50% of our Hong Kong capacity is now operated through the partnership,” he says, adding that it has strengthened the Asia–Middle East–Europe corridor while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as These enhancements were not isolated a key transit point for both freighters and decisions but part of a wider effort to passenger aircraft. reinforce Abu Dhabi’s role as a highly efficient global transit hub, a role that has From recognition to acceleration At the same time, the carrier is investing become increasingly critical as supply chains rebalance and cargo flows diversify While awards offer validation, Etihad Cargo heavily in the resilience of its hub. “We will is firmly focused on how that recognition also continue enhancing Abu Dhabi’s hub, across regions.

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COVER STORY - ETIHAD CARGO

further improving efficiency and resilience ahead of the opening of the new facility in 2027,” Brun says. Looking further ahead, fleet modernisation remains a cornerstone of Etihad Cargo’s long-term vision. “By 2028, the addition of the A350 to our fleet will provide greater flexibility, improved sustainability performance and increased reach across high-demand corridors.”

Asia Pacific: Anchoring global connectivity Asia Pacific remains a central pillar of Etihad Cargo’s growth strategy, not only as a source of cargo volumes but as a region that increasingly shapes global trade patterns.

Recent expansions to Phnom Penh and Hanoi are emblematic of this approach.

Hanoi, Brun notes, has already grown to six weekly frequencies and will increase to eight from 2026 to meet customer demand.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, is set to become an even more strategic gateway from 2027, supported by freighter fleet expansion and strengthened partnerships. Complementing this is Etihad Cargo’s collaboration with Teleport, which extends regional reach across Southeast Asia. Through these network synergies, the carrier is enabling “additional connectivity across Southeast Asia through agile cross-border solutions,” reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Looking ahead, Etihad Cargo remains dedicated If network expansion is one pillar of Etihad to delivering innovative, Cargo’s strategy, partnerships are another. tailor-made solutions The joint business model with SF Airlines that meet evolving market has emerged as a clear differentiator, contributing close to 30% of cargo revenue needs and create real value.

Partnerships as a competitive advantage

in 2025 alone. More than a commercial arrangement, Brun describes it as a blueprint for how airlines can collaborate to deliver greater value. “By integrating our networks and coordinating schedules, we have established a highly responsive Asia– Middle East–Europe corridor that supports faster transit times, greater frequency, and more reliable uplift,” he says.

This collaborative mindset is particularly important as trade patterns evolve. With shifts in trans-Pacific traffic, rising demand across Africa and Europe, and China’s continued role as a major production hub, Etihad Cargo is prioritising flexibility. “Above all, our approach is customer-driven,” Brun emphasises. “We continue to invest in routes, fleet, and partnerships that enhance responsiveness and flexibility.”

Freighters as enablers of speed and scale

STANISLAS BRUN

As demand for time-sensitive and high- Chief Cargo Officer, Etihad Cargo volume shipments continues to grow, Etihad Cargo is leaning into the flexibility and control offered by its expanding freighter

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COVER STORY - ETIHAD CARGO maintaining service consistency across high- AI-enabled control tower adds predictive demand trade lanes. capabilities, identifying patterns and supporting early intervention,” Brun says, Digitalisation beyond efficiency noting that these tools are particularly Technology has become another defining valuable for sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and highThis approach allows Etihad Cargo to element of Etihad Cargo’s differentiation, value cargo. respond more dynamically to shifting with digital tools increasingly used not demand patterns, particularly for express, just to optimise efficiency but to enable Sustainability embedded in operations e-commerce-driven, and high-value smarter, more proactive operations. A shipments that require speed, reliability, and flagship example is SmartTrack, the carrier’s As sustainability moves from aspiration to operational necessity, Etihad Cargo precise uplift. As Brun explains, the carrier premium shipment visibility solution. continues to “invest in routes, fleet, and “SmartTrack represents a major milestone has embedded decarbonisation and partnerships that enhance responsiveness for Etihad Cargo not just in enhancing resource efficiency into its planning and and flexibility,” ensuring capacity can be shipment visibility, but in demonstrating partnerships. The carrier operates one of deployed where and when customers need how AI and machine learning can transform the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the industry, delivering significantly better it most. the way cargo moves across a global CO₂ performance compared with previousFreighters also play a central role in network,” Brun explains. Built around an IoT- generation aircraft. supporting Etihad Cargo’s growing presence enabled device with six advanced sensors — across the Asia Pacific and strengthening including shock, tilt, humidity, temperature, Beyond fleet renewal, Etihad Cargo is connectivity through Abu Dhabi. With Hong and light — SmartTrack provides end-to-end also exploring new technologies through collaborations such as its MoU with LODD Kong set to become an even more strategic monitoring across the supply chain. gateway from 2027, supported by freighter Shipments are continuously monitored by Autonomous, including work on the “Hili” fleet expansion, the carrier is positioning a 24-hour control centre, where dedicated hybrid VTOL aircraft. Designed for shortitself to handle increasing volumes while teams respond to alerts in real time. “The haul, low-emission cargo operations, the platform supports the carrier’s long-term vision for more sustainable logistics without compromising operational practicality. operations. Rather than relying solely on belly capacity, the carrier is deliberately scaling its freighter fleet to support fastmoving cargo flows across key global corridors.

Looking ahead to 2026 As the industry looks toward 2026, Brun expects air cargo to be shaped less by sheer capacity growth and more by volatility, regulation, and the need for rapid response.

“Key trends include potential changes in tariffs and regulations, as well as last-minute disruptions such as natural events or sudden supply chain interruptions,” he says.

Rather than viewing these uncertainties as constraints, Etihad Cargo sees opportunity.

By leveraging digital tools, predictive analytics, and a flexible operational network, the carrier is positioning itself to respond quickly to disruption while maintaining reliability across global trade lanes.

For Brun, the message to customers and partners is one of continuity and confidence.

“We would like to sincerely thank our customers and partners for their trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to excellence,” he says. “Looking ahead, Etihad Cargo remains dedicated to delivering innovative, tailor-made solutions that meet evolving market needs and create real value.”

Mr Henry Low, CEO, SG Hub, SATS presents the Overall Carrier of the Year — Middle East award to Mr Bernard Lee, Regional General Manager, Etihad Cargo at the 12th Payload Asia Awards in Singapore.

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As Etihad Cargo builds on a year of recognition and performance, its roadmap to 2026 is clear: strengthen the network, modernise the fleet, deepen partnerships, and harness digital innovation — all while remaining agile in an increasingly unpredictable global cargo landscape.

The World Cargo Symposium (WCS) is the largest and most prestigious air cargo annual event. The 2025 edition brought close to 2’000 delegates to Dubai, UAE. Participate in exclusive business, networking, and branding opportunities tailored for industry leaders and decision-makers. Access industry intelligence, staying updated on the air cargo latest trends.

The WCS 2026 edition will include Regulatory, Special Cargo, and Digitalization Streams.

Host Airline

FEATURE - FEDEX

Resilience reimagined: How hyperconnected end-to-end logistics unlocks growth

By Andrea Sapuppo, Senior Vice President, Global Network Planning & Engineering, FedEx

Global supply chains have always been complex, but today they face near-constant volatility. Shifting trade routes, evolving regulations, geopolitical tensions, and climate disruptions have made uncertainty the new normal. According to McKinsey, supply chain disruptions lasting more than a month now occur every 3.7 years on average and can erode up to 45% of a company’s annual profits over a decade1.

At the same time, the bar is rising on the customer side: speed, transparency, and personalisation are no longer nice-to-haves but essentials.

The real question is not if disruption will strike, but how swiftly and effectively your supply chain can respond. Achieving this demands moving beyond fragmented, traditional logistics toward hyperconnected, digitally intelligent networks.

When integrated end-to-end, these systems empower businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to detect risks in real time, stabilise operations, cut avoidable costs, and reliably meet escalating customer expectations. Resilience today is built less

1

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on buffers and more on connectivity, linking generating accurate, forward-looking data, decisions, and delivery end to end. forecasts. Companies can proactively allocate capacity months ahead and test From silos to seamless ecosystems contingencies through sophisticated scenario modelling, for example, simulating For decades, procurement, manufacturing, port closures, demand surges, or extreme warehousing, transportation, and lastmile delivery operated in isolation. Digital weather. intelligence is dismantling these silos.

Once every stakeholder, asset, and data point is connected, coordination becomes faster and more consistent, friction drops, inventory aligns to real demand, lead times stabilise, and variability shrinks.

Therefore, when disruptions occur, hyperconnected networks can enable rapid, often autonomous responses: rerouting shipments, switching modes, selecting alternate hubs, or rebalancing resources, all informed by real-time, data-driven insights.

The result is a more predictable supply This minimises risks and ensures continuity. chain: steadier lead times, less variability, However, prediction and orchestration only and more flexibility when conditions work when organisations can see what’s happening across the network. Even the best change. predictive models rely on one foundational element: unparalleled visibility.

From reactive to predictive

orchestration

Digital tools transform planning from reaction to foresight. Machine learning now integrates historical data with live inputs, from market shifts and weather patterns to geopolitical events and demand signals,

risk-resilience-and-rebalancing-in-global-value-chains-full-centralisedreport-vh.pdf

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Operational transparency to prevent disruptions Resilience requires more than prediction.

It demands granular, real-time insight.

Modern tracking goes far beyond a

FEATURE - FEDEX

simple GPS marker. Advanced IoT sensors now capture precise data on location, temperature, humidity, shock, and even light exposure, enabling early interventions.

For instance, teams can correct temperature excursions in pharmaceuticals or prevent damage to high-value electronics before issues escalate. This shift from tracking to sensing turns visibility into action.

Solutions like FedEx Surround Monitoring and Intervention enable this evolution, pairing advanced sensors with predictive dashboards for proactive monitoring of critical shipments. In one global semiconductor implementation, a centralised control tower unified sensor data, scan events, and multiple systems into a single real-time view. This reduced manual handoffs and protected sensitive cargo from environmental threats, delivering endto-end oversight. The outcome is not only fewer exceptions, but faster recovery when exceptions do occur.

Experience as a competitive edge In today’s on-demand world, customers, B2B and B2C alike, expect seamless digital experiences. Hyperconnected logistics make this possible, optimising inventory placement, transport modes, routes, and delivery windows. Extending intelligence across ordering, packing, shipping, delivery, returns, and even carbon tracking turns reliability into a differentiator.

Over time, that reliability becomes a brand When connected ecosystems, predictive advantage, not just an operational metric. orchestration, real-time transparency, and superior experiences converge, backed These capabilities are especially vital in high- by deep logistics expertise, the supply growth, high-variability regions like the Asia chain becomes a powerful growth engine: Pacific. Here, complexity is the baseline, and adaptive, intelligent, and ready to thrive responsiveness determines who wins. amid constant complexity.

Asia Pacific: Navigating complexity for In an era where volatility is constant, opportunity reimagining resilience isn’t optional. It is the The region combines rapid expansion with intricate challenges: diverse regulations, evolving trade lanes, and booming e-commerce. Deep digital integration helps businesses confidently manage fragmented markets, streamline documentation, and harness multimodal networks. For SMEs scaling up and multinationals expanding, these tools level the playing field, opening doors to new customers and trade corridors.

When logistics becomes easier to navigate, growth becomes easier to pursue.

path to sustained advantage.

Asia Pacific makes the case clear: when complexity is constant, resilience becomes a growth strategy, not a contingency plan.

From resilience to strategic advantage

Hyperconnected supply chains don’t just withstand shocks. They drive growth.

Advanced forecasting frees working capital by reducing excess inventory. Swift exception handling safeguards revenue and relationships. Integrated operations drive down costs while elevating service. In effect, resilience becomes a multiplier: it protects Companies that deliver consistent downside while unlocking upside. predictability build lasting trust and loyalty.

ANDREA SAPUPPO Senior Vice President, Global Network Planning & Engineering, FedEx

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FEATURE - AVIAREPS

Photo credit: Patrick Campanale/Unsplash

Navigating growth in Asia’s aviation and cargo landscape As Asia enters a defining decade for trade, travel, and logistics, the region’s aviation and air cargo sectors are moving into a new phase of recovery and expansion.

Infrastructure investments, shifting trade patterns, and the rebound of passenger travel are reshaping connectivity across the region, even as operators continue to contend with structural and geopolitical challenges.

According to Marcelo Kaiser, COO Aviation at AVIAREPS, Asia-Pacific is now showing clear signs of renewed momentum. Citing industry data, he notes that “Asia-Pacific will lead global aviation in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic capacity levels and signalling a new phase of post-crisis growth – setting the tone for 2026.”

industrial zones, is set to significantly raise Kaiser observes that industry players cargo-handling capacity over the coming succeeding today are those embracing flexibility and diversification rather than decade. rigid legacy models. Airlines are combining “These infrastructure developments will freighter and belly-hold capacity, shifting increase capacity, introduce more direct uplift between airports to manage routes, improve multi-modal travel, and congestion, and consolidating cargo flows reduce transit times – enhancing the value through strategic regional hubs. proposition of air cargo for high-value and In a competitive, capacity-constrained time-sensitive shipments,” Kaiser explains. environment, flexibility has become a Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport key differentiator, with GSAs playing an is similarly positioned to become a regional increasingly important role in enabling logistics hub, with plans to support bonded airlines and logistics providers to respond warehousing, cold-chain logistics, and cross- quickly to changing market conditions. border e-commerce. Together, such projects are expected to reinforce Southeast Asia’s Navigating Asia’s fragmented markets role in global supply chains, particularly as Asia’s diversity remains both an opportunity manufacturers diversify production bases. and a challenge for international operators.

At AVIAREPS, Kaiser says these developments Regulatory environments, customs regimes, are viewed as creating new supply and infrastructure readiness, and customer demand, with airlines that tap into emerging behaviour vary widely across markets, hubs best positioned to capture long-term making a one-size-fits-all approach growth and sustainability. ineffective.

At the same time, growth across the region remains uneven and increasingly complex.

Kaiser points out that operators must navigate significant structural headwinds, including geopolitical tensions and regulatory shifts that are already disrupting Adapting strategies amid selected trade lanes.

Kaiser cautions that a common pitfall is viewing Asia as a homogeneous market, noting that neighbouring countries can Despite improving demand indicators, differ significantly in tariff regimes, handling airlines and logistics providers continue to procedures, and the buying behaviour of air face supply chain constraints and capacity freight forwarders. challenges. In response, operators are increasingly moving away from rigid Success, he explains, depends on adopting legacy models in favour of flexibility and a market-specific approach supported by strong local knowledge and networks. Asia, diversification.

capacity constraints

Infrastructure reshaping regional connectivity Large-scale airport developments are expected to play a critical role in shaping future trade and cargo flows. In Singapore, the expansion of Changi Airport through Terminal 5, alongside new logistics and

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FEATURE - AVIAREPS

Photo credit: Ramaz Bluashvili/Pexels

Preparing for 2026 and beyond

he adds, demands a nuanced strategy that takes into account regulatory frameworks, trade-partner networks, demand seasonality, and cultural norms.

as India’s strategic location strengthens its role as a logistics hub, while countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia continue to serve as both manufacturing centres and growing consumer markets.

Southeast Asia is also becoming an increasingly important destination for India’s expanding e-commerce sector, industrial output, and pharmaceutical production. The airfreight market between India and Asia has grown significantly,

According to Kaiser, sustainability is now a strategic imperative across aviation and logistics, with both carriers and infrastructure providers embedding MARCELO KAISER environmental considerations into longCOO Aviation, AVIAREPS term planning.

Looking ahead, the maturation of Southeast Asia as a manufacturing and export hub is expected to accelerate, driven by “China Plus One” strategies and government Cargo evolution alongside incentives. At the same time, vertical passenger recovery “These create opportunities for airlines to specialisation is intensifying, with sectors As passenger travel continues to recover, optimise route planning, enhance feeder such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and cargo operations are benefiting from networks and deliver faster turnaround electronics demanding faster and more increased belly-hold capacity and higher times,” Kaiser adds. precise logistics solutions. flight frequencies, particularly on wide-body To stay ahead, Kaiser says operators should routes — supporting demand in sectors Digitalisation, sustainability, adopt modular and scalable commercial such as e-commerce, electronics, and and resilience strategies, embrace digital and data-led pharmaceuticals.

Digital tools are increasingly central to decision-making, and align their offerings “The recovery of passenger travel has commercial decision-making across aviation to high-potential verticals and emerging unlocked valuable belly-hold capacity and cargo. From demand forecasting corridors. and increased flight frequencies on wide- and revenue management to real-time body routes – benefiting cargo operations, performance monitoring, operators are As Asia’s aviation and cargo landscape especially in sectors like e-commerce, becoming more data-driven in how they continues to evolve, the ability to adapt to complexity — rather than simply scale — electronics, and pharmaceuticals,” Kaiser approach regional markets. is emerging as a defining success factor says.

Kaiser notes that digital tools have become for operators navigating the region’s next At the same time, demand patterns across integral to commercial success, adding that phase of growth.

Asia are shifting. Dimerco’s October digital fluency is no longer optional but 2025 Freight Market Report cited surging essential for standing out in an increasingly volumes of AI servers, semiconductors, saturated market. and consumer electronics originating from Southeast Asia, contributing to congestion Sustainability is also gaining prominence at key regional hubs. Intra-Asia trade now across the industry. Airlines are investing accounts for nearly 60% of Asia’s total in fuel-efficient aircraft and exploring exports, based on United Nations data, sustainable aviation fuel, while airports and while ASEAN has emerged as China’s largest logistics providers are improving energy trade partner, with bilateral trade reaching efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

US$963 billion in 2024.

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TLAC SEA

Driving regional connectivity and logistics transformation at TLAC SEA 2025 Regional logistics leaders, technology innovators, and global supply chain players converged in Singapore from 29–31 October for transport logistic Southeast Asia (TLAC SEA) and air cargo Southeast Asia 2025. Held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the trade show bolstered Southeast Asia’s pivotal role in global commerce and its accelerating shift toward digital, multimodal, and sustainable logistics ecosystems.

CEO & Managing Director, Messe München International Asia Pte Ltd. He added that the response “reinforces Southeast Asia’s role as a strategic global hub” and the organiser’s commitment to expanding the transport logistics cluster in the region.

Across 76 conference sessions held across three stages, speakers delivered strategic and operational insights covering multimodal logistics, regional market The event concluded with strong momentum, outlooks, technology adoption, ESG-driven attracting more than 8,100 participants transformation, and specialised cargo from 92 countries and 120 exhibitors from solutions.

27 markets, including country pavilions from Singapore, Germany, China, and Key themes included: Taiwan. Exhibitors showcased end-to-end • Digital transformation & technology multimodal capabilities spanning air, sea, adoption — with showcases on AIand land; port infrastructure; warehousing; enabled logistics, automation, robotics, automation; digitalisation; sustainability IoT-driven visibility, platform connectivity, solutions; and cross-border technologies— and secure digital trade reflecting the region’s rapid transformation • Sustainability & decarbonisation — into a future-ready logistics hub. featuring discussions on green fuels, lowAs part of the broader programme, air cargo carbon freight models, green corridor Southeast Asia (acSEA) brought together pilots, and carbon-measurement major global and regional carriers— standards with port authorities, shipping including Cathay Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, lines, and energy transition experts Etihad Cargo, MAB Kargo, Vietjet Cargo, and United Cargo—giving delegates a single • Project & heavy-lift cargo — addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, engineering platform to explore developments shaping resilience, and risk management in the global airfreight market. regional project logistics “Building on the strong foundations of our inaugural edition, tlacSEA 2025 Digital transformation and multimodal demonstrated not only continued integration remained central to discussions, momentum in Southeast Asia’s logistics with airports, ground handlers, and carriers sector but also the region’s shared ambition demonstrating how automation, data tools, to drive innovation, sustainability, and cross- and AI-powered systems can enhance border collaboration,” said Michael Wilton, cross-border operations. Infrastructure

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advancements—particularly in markets like Indonesia—reinforced the need for upgraded roads, ports, rail, and air cargo capacity to meet future growth.

Sustainability was a clear strategic priority, with companies highlighting investments in SAF, energy-efficient warehousing, lowemission fleets, and green trade corridors.

Leaders noted that sustainability has evolved into a competitive advantage, increasingly demanded by both regulators and shippers.

TLAC SEA also served as a catalyst for partnerships and innovation, as companies launched digital programs, expanded networks, and showcased integrated logistics solutions. Collaboration remains vital for navigating Southeast Asia’s complex logistics landscape and supporting its fastgrowing trade flows.

With its geographic advantage, rapidly urbanising markets, and thriving e-commerce and manufacturing sectors, Southeast Asia continues to attract global supply chain attention. While the region still faces challenges such as infrastructure disparities and regulatory fragmentation, evolving trade corridors present significant opportunities for innovation and resilience.

TLAC SEA 2025 reaffirmed that Southeast Asia’s logistics sector is advancing at pace—toward deeper digitisation, stronger integration, and long-term sustainability— setting the foundation for the next phase of regional and global trade.

TLAC SEA - CATHAY CARGO

Modernising the cargo journey: Inside Cathay Cargo’s digital initiatives

Stakeholders—from airlines and forwarders to regulators and ground handlers— still operate on diverse systems, limiting visibility and interoperability. Overcoming this requires system integration, shared standards, and investment in people. “Only when the whole ecosystem moves together can digital transformation truly succeed,” she emphasises.

Preparing for the future of intelligent cargo As the industry moves toward 2026, Cathay Cargo sees AI, IoT sensors, automation, and integrated multimodal data as key enablers of next-generation logistics. cargo bookings more intuitive but also Large language models could automate streamline internal workflows—reducing documentation and compliance checks; IoT manual tasks and enabling faster decision- devices could enhance real-time monitoring of temperature-sensitive goods; and making. integrated digital platforms could unify air, Operational excellence through data sea, and land operations.

As air cargo enters a new era defined by digital intelligence, automation, and integrated logistics, Cathay Cargo is positioning itself at the forefront of transformation. For the carrier, digitalisation is not merely a technology upgrade—it is the foundation for building future-proof operations capable mobility of adapting to global market volatility, rising On the ground, the Cargo Connect app customer expectations, and increasingly has enabled front-line teams to digitalise complex supply chains. processes once reliant on paperwork.

According to Andress Lam, Head of Cargo Mobile access to flight checklists, tie-down Digital at Cathay Cargo, digital resilience lies diagrams, and photo-upload functions has at the core of this evolution. “To us, digital improved accuracy and reduced turnaround resilience is about creating an ecosystem times. The app was introduced in phases— that can adapt, recover, and thrive amid first in Hong Kong, then globally—to ensure constant change,” she explains. With shifting usability and continuous refinement. trade patterns, regulatory frameworks, and “Balancing innovation with operational customer needs, the airline is focused on reality requires disciplined prioritisation and ensuring that its digital backbone—systems, an agile mindset,” Lam says.

But at the heart of this transformation is culture. Cathay Cargo continues to invest in upskilling and embedding digital thinking across the organisation— positioning its workforce to navigate a datadriven environment confidently. “Digital transformation is as much a people journey as it is a technological one,” Lam says.

A vision for intelligent, connected cargo flows Looking ahead, Cathay Cargo envisions a fully connected digital ecosystem where data flows as seamlessly as physical cargo.

With the expansion of the Cargo Digital Hub, open API architecture, and growing adoption of digital standards, the airline aims to deliver complete transparency and control throughout the shipment journey.

“The goal is to move from handling cargo to managing intelligent cargo flows,” Lam shares—a shift that promises to redefine efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience in global air logistics.

infrastructure, platforms, and partner Predictive analytics is also reshaping how connectivity—is secure, scalable, and ready the carrier plans capacity and manages for fast response in any disruption. disruptions. By analysing booking patterns, trade lane behaviour, economic indicators, A digital ecosystem built for scale and performance metrics, Cathay Cargo Cathay Cargo has invested significantly can anticipate demand shifts and optimise in data governance, cybersecurity, and capacity deployment. Combined with data the development of its Cargo Digital Hub, on weather, air traffic, and operational an end-to-end platform that integrates constraints, predictive tools allow the booking, tracking, documentation, and team to take proactive action rather than after-sales support. By consolidating what reactive measures—strengthening service were once separate systems, the airline consistency and resilience. aims to deliver a seamless digital experience while empowering its workforce to work Driving industry-level standards and faster and smarter. “Through integration, connectivity we train and upskill employees, building Digitalisation in air cargo cannot succeed a pool of talent who can respond quicker in isolation. Cathay Cargo has been an when issues arise,” Lam notes. active supporter of global digital standards, The carrier’s digital roadmap is guided including IATA’s eAWB and ONE Record. by three principles: customer centricity, The airline has already implemented ONE operational excellence, and people. Real- Record use cases ahead of IATA’s 2026 time pricing and booking via Click & Ship, as target, reinforcing its commitment to a well as API-driven connectivity with major unified data model and end-to-end visibility forwarders like CargoWise, DHL Global across the supply chain.

Forwarding, and DSV, highlights the airline’s Lam notes that the biggest barriers ANDRESS LAM push to make air logistics more flexible and to industry-wide adoption remain Head of Cargo Digital, Cathay Cargo transparent. These tools not only make fragmentation and uneven digital maturity.

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TLAC SEA - SATS

Reimagining the hub: How SATS is building the cargo terminal of the future

SATS ground handling staff operate a JCP (Jumbo Container/Pallet Loader) to optimise cargo handling and enhance operational efficiency on the tarmac.

As global trade accelerates and air cargo networks grow more complex, SATS is redefining what next-generation hub operations should look like. Through a blend of automation, orchestration, digital intelligence, and workforce transformation, the ground handler is shaping a cargo environment designed for scale, resilience, and service excellence—anchoring Singapore’s position as a world-leading logistics and aviation hub.

According to Henry Low, CEO of SATS Singapore Hub, the catalyst behind the company’s latest transformation initiatives is clear: rising volatility and the rapid maturation of technologies such as AI. “The key question we must ask is how we uplift the level of service excellence that is the bedrock of Changi Airport’s reputation as a world-class, efficient air hub,” he says. SATS’ new Hub Handler of the Future programme reflects this ambition—focusing on operational redesign, technology adoption, and the ability to manage tomorrow’s scale with today’s resources.

Automation, AI, and a more connected hub For SATS, the cargo terminal of the future is one where technology quietly anticipates needs—supporting both passengers and operational teams with greater consistency, reliability, and safety. Automation is helping redeploy manpower into higher-value roles, improving service standards while enhancing the employee experience. “We envisage a more seamless and connected experience driven by technology,” Low explains, emphasising safety and a more intuitive workflow for both staff and customers.

At the core of this shift is digital orchestration.

SATS’ Flight-to-Task system uses real-time data and AI-powered modelling to optimise manpower deployment, equipment utilisation, and turnaround sequencing.

This real-time orchestration helps maintain Changi Airport’s benchmark service levels,

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even as demand and complexity increase.

Early trials have already delivered a productivity improvement exceeding 15%, demonstrating how AI can transform both efficiency and coordination across the hub.

Expanding into integrated and timecritical logistics Beyond traditional cargo handling, SATS is evolving into an integrated logistics partner offering specialised services for high-value and time-sensitive shipments. Its expanding portfolio includes temperature-controlled handling, cross-dock services, multimodal integration, and partnerships with logistics leaders such as SF Express, Kuehne+Nagel, and Sterling.

These collaborations strengthen Singapore’s connectivity and reinforce its role as a strategic global node for air, sea, and land freight.

ground support equipment and expanding solar installations across its facilities—an important step toward reducing carbon intensity and enabling environmentally responsible growth.

A workforce built for the future Low is quick to emphasise that transformation is ultimately a people journey. SATS involves its teams early to codesign new workflows and equip them with future-ready skills. Over the past year, the company has redesigned 11 roles to support electric and autonomous equipment, and partnered with Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning (universities, polytechnics, and technical institutions) to deploy AIenabled and simulator-based training modules. These efforts are strengthening safety practices, boosting learning, and empowering staff to take on higher-value roles.

Collaboration as a catalyst for Innovation Partnerships remain a cornerstone of SATS’ innovation strategy. The company works closely with airlines, logistics providers, technology firms, and government agencies to drive ecosystem-wide progress. One example is SATS’ collaboration with Changi Airport Group and SIA Engineering Company on autonomous staff bus trials—an initiative that enhances airside safety and productivity while contributing to Singapore’s broader aviation innovation agenda.

These collaborations reinforce the Hub Handler of the Future roadmap and strengthen SATS’ global network, positioning the company to deliver higher efficiency, stronger service quality, and greater resilience.

This integrated approach enables faster, more reliable movement of pharmaceuticals, perishables, aircraft-on-ground (AOG) parts, and e-commerce cargo—supporting the region’s diversification and Singapore’s continued competitiveness.

Tomorrow’s hub: Data-intelligent, automated, and connected Preparing for Terminal 5 and future growth Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, SATS As Singapore prepares for the development sees data intelligence, automation, and of Terminal 5 and a surge in regional air ecosystem connectivity as the defining forces traffic, SATS is laying the groundwork for of next-generation air cargo handling. “The a scalable, intelligent operating model. ability to anticipate, adapt, and orchestrate Automation and job redesign are central operations seamlessly will be key,” Low says. to this strategy, empowering teams to With its investments in AI, digital integration, take on more complex responsibilities sustainability, and workforce development, while reducing repetitive tasks. The goal is SATS is positioning itself as a leader in the to ensure that even as volumes increase, next phase of aviation logistics. service excellence and safety remain uncompromised.

Recognition at the 12th Payload Asia Awards, where SATS and its network Embedding sustainability into the hub companies earned five honours, further transformation validates this transformation journey. For Sustainability is woven into SATS’ SATS, the awards reflect the dedication of transformation roadmap. The company is its people and its commitment to raising investing S$250 million to modernise its air global standards in safety, productivity, and freight terminals and ground infrastructure customer experience. with energy-efficient systems and automation. Plans include electrifying 70% of

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

TLAC SEA - JINGDONG LOGISTICS With Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market projected to reach US$410 billion by 2030, logistics providers are racing to build more agile, integrated, and technology-led fulfilment networks. For JD Logistics, one of Asia’s leading supply chain and technologydriven logistics companies, the region’s rapid growth has created a timely opportunity to introduce new capabilities—starting with its move into bulky-item logistics in Malaysia and Singapore.

According to Raymond, Country Manager of JD Logistics in Singapore and Malaysia, the surge in online purchases of furniture, large appliances, fitness equipment, and home improvement products has outpaced the region’s infrastructure for handling oversized goods. “These categories cannot scale without professional bulky-item inventory handling and integrated delivery and installation services,” he explains. JD Logistics’ expansion into this segment responds directly to these unmet needs, offering an efficient, end-to-end solution that integrates warehousing, delivery, installation, and after-sales support.

Why Malaysia and Singapore are strategic nodes The company’s decision to launch bulky logistics in these two markets reflects the region’s role in global trade. Singapore and Malaysia sit at the centre of Southeast Asia’s supply chain networks, supporting both domestic consumption and regional cross-border flows. JD Logistics aims to use these markets not only as service hubs, but as anchors for a wider integrated fulfilment ecosystem across Southeast Asia.

In Kuala Lumpur, for instance, the company already offers next-day delivery with installation for bulky items in core areas.

In East Malaysia—where infrastructure challenges historically meant 7–10 day delivery windows—JD Logistics expects to shorten transit times to 3–5 days as its regional network strengthens.

Embedding intelligence into bulky logistics Bulky-item logistics differ sharply from standard parcel delivery: heavier loads, specialised handling, more demanding transport requirements, and in-home installation. JD Logistics addresses these complexities with a single-team service model, where trained specialists manage the entire process—from warehouse dispatch to on-site installation and testing.

This significantly improves coordination, reduces customer waiting times, and enhances service reliability.

JD Logistics expands bulky delivery solutions in Southeast Asia Technology is at the heart of this transformation. JD Logistics leverages automation, AI, robotics, and intelligent warehouse tools across its global supply chain—and increasingly within Southeast Asia. Local facilities already use JD’s selfdeveloped warehouse management system, equipped with features such as an intelligent weighing system that automatically captures cargo dimensions, weight, and volume using barcode scans.

This boosts accuracy and efficiency, especially for oversized items.

Looking forward, the company plans to introduce more advanced equipment and automated systems tailored to Southeast Asian customer needs, helping businesses reduce costs and optimise fulfilment speed.

A Localised Network Powered by Global Expertise While JD Logistics brings deep technological experience from China and its international hubs, it emphasises localisation at every step. “We hire and train local employees, collaborate closely with local logistics service providers, and develop solutions tailored to local market needs,” says Raymond. This balance ensures that JD Logistics’ global standards are preserved while building solutions that fit regional environments.

Southeast Asia is already a significant part of the company’s global network. JD Logistics now operates over 130 overseas warehouses spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Its growing air cargo routes connect markets including Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia, enabling seamless cross-border fulfilment and faster delivery for businesses entering or scaling within the region.

generation, new energy vehicles, and a selfdeveloped carbon management platform that visualises supply chain emissions. AIdriven modelling and smart hardware help optimise routing, reduce fuel consumption, and improve operational efficiency. The company plans to selectively apply these solutions in Southeast Asia to advance greener logistics practices.

Demand Drivers: Big Items, Bigger Expectations The biggest opportunities for growth lie in bulky categories such as refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, sofas, and cabinets— all of which are seeing strong online penetration. As more consumers upgrade their homes and shift larger purchases online, expectations for professional, inhome delivery and installation are rising.

This trend makes integrated bulky logistics not just a service advantage, but a necessity for the region’s maturing e-commerce market.

Positioning for 2026 and Beyond The region’s fulfilment landscape is moving toward faster, more localised delivery—twoto three-day delivery becoming standard, and even same-day fulfilment in dense cities. Businesses increasingly want bonded inventory options, smoother cross-border flows, and frictionless omnichannel logistics.

To meet these needs, JD Logistics plans to strengthen its warehousing footprint, expand international air routes, and deepen its express delivery capabilities.

In 2025 alone, the company opened several self-operated warehouses and new air routes in Malaysia and Vietnam, with continued expansion planned across seven Southeast Asian markets. The focus ahead: integrated supply chain services, smarter warehouses, stronger cross-border Driving Green and Responsible Logistics networks, and specialised capabilities like Sustainability is another key pillar of JD large-item delivery and installation—all Logistics’ strategy. Across its warehouses, designed to support the region’s rapidly the company deploys photovoltaic power evolving logistics landscape.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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POST-EVENT - TAC INDEX TAC Innovation bridges blockchain and aviation

In early October, TAC Innovation convened industry leaders at the Singapore Exchange for a landmark two-day event that explored how digital technologies are transforming the way value and goods move across the globe.

Held in partnership with Avalanche and Baltic Exchange, the event brought together executives from the air cargo, blockchain, and market infrastructure sectors to exchange insights on tokenisation, instant settlement, verifiable data, and real-world asset markets. It was a rare convergence of finance, freight, and technology — and a glimpse into a more transparent, connected air cargo ecosystem.

including Jordan Kang of D3 Labs, William Mackay of Atlantic Partner Asia, and Richard Ellis of Sikorsky. The gathering underscored Singapore’s position as a hub for innovation and dialogue in aviation and logistics.

For John Peyton Burnett, Managing Director of TAC Innovation and a long-time advocate for transparency in air cargo pricing, the event reflected a pivotal step forward in cross-industry collaboration.

forwarders, and airlines better manage cargo-related risks. Guided by an advisory panel of industry experts, the initiative aims to design market-neutral solutions that address inefficiencies rooted in manual processes and limited data transparency.

The potential impact is significant: air cargo accounts for over 35 percent of global trade by value — worth around US$6 trillion annually — yet remains heavily reliant on traditional workflows. Through blockchain and verifiable data frameworks, TAC Innovation seeks to enhance visibility, streamline operations, and ultimately unlock new value for stakeholders across the supply chain.

“Hosting this event served as a powerful reminder of the amount of talent there is within the air cargo and blockchain industries,” Burnett said. “We believe there is huge merit in bringing these experts together to develop innovative solutions to Former BBC journalist and storyteller the challenges facing air cargo, which is why As the air cargo sector continues to navigate challenges around efficiency Gabriel Gatehouse set the tone with a we set up TAC Innovation.” and digital adoption, collaborations like discussion on the cultural and economic context of digital transformation, while While TAC Index remains the group’s TAC Innovation’s represent an important day two saw a high-level lunch on the SGX flagship benchmark for air freight rates, TAC bridge between legacy systems and the trading floor attended by thought leaders Innovation is expanding its scope to develop technologies shaping tomorrow’s trade. technology-driven tools that help shippers,

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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POST-EVENT - 69TH AAPA ASSEMBLY OF PRESIDENTS

Asia Pacific aviation leaders chart growth strategy at 69th AAPA Assembly of Presidents

By Monina Eugenio

Optimism was the prevailing tone as Asia Pacific’s airline leaders convened in Bangkok from 14–15 November 2025 for the 69th Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents hosted by Bangkok Airways. And the confidence is well-founded: the region handles 35% of global air traffic, boasts the world’s fastest cargo growth, and is poised to dominate aviation’s future. Against this backdrop, airline executives outlined strategies to ensure that infrastructure, workforce development, and sustainability progress can keep pace with rising demand.

Menon noted, emphasising that cargo A shared resolve to strengthen global growth remains 50% above global averages. supply chains The region’s long-term outlook was echoed across the programme. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Asia Pacific Regional Director Tao Ma noted that Asia Pacific accounts for 35% of global traffic and could reach nearly 50% by 2043, with air cargo expected to rise from 260 billion FTK (Freight Tonne Kilometres) in 2024 to 638 billion FTK by 2050.

Supply chain recovery dominated the panel discussions, with OEM leaders acknowledging that airlines across the region continue to face acute shortages of parts, engines, and skilled labour. As GE Aerospace’s Nakul Gupta put it, “We are truly united in that challenge… the airlines don’t have enough parts and engines, and if they can’t get the parts, they can’t fly.”

IATA Director General Willie Walsh described the Asia Pacific as “the most While global aviation continues to navigate exciting aviation market in the world,” supply chain constraints and evolving underpinned by strong demographics and regulatory landscapes, discussions at the expanding middle-class consumption.

Assembly underscored strong confidence in the Asia Pacific’s position as the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing aviation market.

While no new timelines were announced, panellists emphasised practical fixes and deeper supplier engagement. Boeing highlighted its “boots-on-the-ground” model in Southeast Asia—working directly with suppliers on lean manufacturing,

Strong demand anchors growth momentum AAPA Director General Subhas Menon opened the Assembly by highlighting the region’s robust performance in both passenger and cargo markets. Passenger load factors have reached 82%, while cargo load factors remain elevated at 60%, supported by resilient intra-Asia trade and the ongoing expansion of cross-border e-commerce.

SUBHAS MENON

“Asia Pacific is not only the largest but Director General, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines also the fastest-growing air cargo market,”

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NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

POST-EVENT - 69TH AAPA ASSEMBLY OF PRESIDENTS certification, specialised training, and “There is tremendous opportunity for aggregation strategies to strengthen quality Asia to build the talent and infrastructure needed to support the next wave of aviation and resilience. growth,” Menon said.

Airbus detailed its extensive regional ecosystem, including 1,700 suppliers Media programme highlights: A confident contributing €7 billion to global production outlook from Airbus and Boeing lines. The company also pointed to expanded infrastructure, such as its global During the media programme, Airbus and flight operations hub in Bangkok, and Boeing presented aligned forecasts that the deployment of teams into second-, highlighted the Asia Pacific’s long-term third-, and fourth-tier suppliers to identify growth trajectory across both passenger and cargo markets. vulnerabilities earlier.

Advancing sustainability through regional action Sustainability remained a major focus, with airlines, regulators, and industry partners outlining pathways to reduce emissions and scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.

Boeing shared an equally strong outlook, forecasting Southeast Asia’s air travel market to grow by 7% annually, supported by rising disposable income, increased international connectivity, and a solid tourism rebound.

Thailand alone is expected to grow by 65% over the next decade.

On the cargo side, Boeing emphasised its dominant position: more than 90% of global air freight is carried on Boeing aircraft. Its freighter portfolio spans from the 737-800BCF for regional operations to the upcoming 777-8F, capable of lifting 118 tonnes. The widely used 777F remains central to global cargo networks as airlines plan long-term fleet renewal.

Airbus projected that the region will require 19,560 new aircraft over the next 20 years, accounting for 46% of global demand. This includes roughly 3,500 widebodies and more than 16,100 single-aisle aircraft to Together, the Airbus and Boeing briefings support both long-haul and intra-regional delivered a clear message: Asia Pacific expansion. remains central to global aviation’s future, Airbus noted that 68% of deliveries will with rising demand across both passenger support fleet growth, while 32% will and cargo markets creating opportunities replace older aircraft—contributing to for investment, innovation, and long-term decarbonisation, with next-generation fleet planning.

Countries such as Malaysia and Thailand have introduced voluntary 1% SAF blending mandates, while Singapore is moving ahead with the world’s first SAF levy on departing widebodies offering up to 25% fuel- Looking ahead to 2026 efficiency improvements. passengers beginning in 2026.

Despite the complexities of today’s operating Airlines also showcased concrete initiatives Cargo remains a central pillar of the forecast: environment, the sentiment at this year’s underway. Air New Zealand uses AI-driven Asia Pacific is expected to operate around Assembly was overwhelmingly positive. As tools to model onboard consumption 850 freighters in the long term, nearly one- supply chain pressures begin to ease and and reduce food waste, while Malaysia third of the global fleet, with 250 new-build SAF adoption gathers momentum across Aviation Group has eliminated 15.4 million widebody freighters entering service over the region in 2026, airlines are preparing for single-use plastic items and is expanding the next two decades. The A350F continues what many executives described as a pivotal AI-enabled meal planning with a target of to gain traction among carriers planning transition year—one that will set the tone next-generation fleet renewals.

100% pre-order meals by 2030. for the next decade of expansion across the Panellists acknowledged that SAF availability “The Asia-Pacific region is entering an world’s fastest-growing aviation market. remains limited today, but momentum is building as more governments adopt supportive frameworks and producers invest in capacity.

exciting phase of growth, fuelled by strong demand for air travel and logistics,” said Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia Pacific.

“The future is bright for the Asia Pacific,” Menon concluded. “We must continue to work together to seize the opportunities ahead.”

AAPA’s sustainability resolution reaffirmed the region’s commitment to achieving 5% SAF usage by 2030, calling for harmonised policies, SAF accounting systems, and continued innovation.

Building the workforce of the future Talent development emerged as a critical enabler of the Asia Pacific’s long-term growth. According to ICAO, the region will require 300,000 pilots, 300,000 maintenance engineers, and 500,000 cabin crew by 2037 to support its expanding aviation ecosystem.

AAPA’s manpower resilience resolution urged governments and industry partners to deepen investment in aviation education, expand training pathways, and promote diversity and inclusion across the workforce pipeline.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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12TH PAYLOAD ASIA AWARDS

Celebrating innovation and partnership at the 12th Payload Asia Awards

By Monina Eugenio

The air cargo and logistics community gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore on 24 October 2025 for the 12th Payload Asia Awards — an evening celebrating leadership, innovation, and partnership across the regional and global supply chain.

This year’s edition featured 25 award categories recognising achievements across carriers, airports, express operators, handlers, freight and logistics service providers, cold chain specialists, technology innovators, and solution partners — reflecting the sector’s continued evolution and resilience.

Notably, this year’s edition introduced a new category: the Shipper of Choice – Collaboration Award. The award recognises organisations that actively foster transparent, trust-based, and solution-driven partnerships across the supply chain. It reflects a shift away from transactional engagement toward shared value creation, where shippers, carriers,

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forwarders, handlers, and service providers Keynote spotlight: Technology as an co-design solutions, align priorities, and enabler of smarter supply chains adapt together.

The programme featured a keynote Its inclusion underscores how long- address by Grégoire Thomas, Regional term resilience increasingly relies on Director and Head of Integrated B2B at collaboration, particularly as the industry Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and navigates digitalisation, sustainability Oceania, who shared insights on how digital transformation is taking shape across targets, and shifting market demands. logistics environments in the region.

Opening the evening, Payload Asia highlighted the increasing Publisher and Awards Chairman Lee Keen Thomas Whye highlighted the importance of unity integration of 5G, IoT, AI, cloud-based and shared purpose across the industry. He coordination, and secure mobile ecosystems noted that success in today’s landscape is to strengthen operational resilience. He no longer defined by operational strength outlined Samsung’s shift toward integrated alone, but by the quality of collaboration, enterprise solutions designed to support where shippers, carriers, forwarders, and efficiency and sustainability at scale. logistics partners work together to build Among the solutions showcased was supply chains that are stronger, smarter, Samsung’s battery-powered e-paper display, and more responsive. developed for airport and cargo facilities to This message framed the night’s overarching reduce infrastructure requirements and theme of collaboration, technology, and lower carbon footprint, illustrating how sustainability as core drivers of the industry’s practical innovation can directly enhance performance reliability and operational next chapter. impact.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

12TH PAYLOAD ASIA AWARDS

GRÉGOIRE THOMAS Regional Director and Head of Integrated B2B at Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania

The selection of this year’s winners combined online voting with the insights of an independent jury panel, bringing together diverse industry expertise and perspectives.

The panel included John Peyton Burnett, Managing Director, TAC Index; Raymond Lo, CEO, Menzies CNAC Aviation Services Limited; Prof. Rod Franklin, Professor of Logistics Practice, The Kühne Logistics

Institute; Emma Murray, Founder and CEO, Meantime Communications; Junard Cruz, CEO, Island Skies Alliance; Steven Verhasselt, Founder and Director, FB Cargo Strategy; Ir Dr Paul Tsui, Managing Director, The Janel Group of Hong Kong Ltd; Fabian Benjamin, CEO, MediaPlus; Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association; and Celine Hourcade, Vice President, Global Head of ESG / Sustainability, SATS Ltd.

The 12th Payload Asia Awards was made possible through the support of Singapore Changi Airport, SATS, Hong Kong International Airport, and Technology Sponsor, Samsung — reflecting the ongoing collaboration and shared commitment that continue to shape the air cargo and logistics community.

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

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12TH PAYLOAD ASIA AWARDS

12th Payload Asia Award Winners IT Provider of the Year IBS Software

Overall Carrier of the Year - Middle East Etihad Cargo

Ground Handler of the Year – Asia Pacific SATS

Air Cargo Automation of the Year Lödige Industries

Overall Carrier of the Year – Europe Etihad Cargo

Shippers of Choice (Collaboration) Skyworks Solutions

Air Cargo Technology Provider of the Year Hong Kong International Airport

Overall Carrier of the Year – Asia Pacific MASkargo

Global Ground Handler of the Year – Top Award SATS

Cargo Booking Platform of the Year Cathay Cargo

Global Carrier of the Year - Top Award Turkish Cargo

Air Charter Broker of the Year Chapman Freeborn

Best E-Commerce Carrier – Asia Pacific Cathay Cargo

Cold Chain Service Provider – Asia Pacific Best E-Commerce Carrier – Middle East Asia Airfreight Terminal Saudia Cargo

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Cold Chain Service Provider of the Year WFS

Best E-Commerce Carrier – Global Cathay Cargo

Global Express Provider of the Year DHL Express

Ground Handler of the Year – Europe Vienna Airport

Rising Cargo Carrier of the Year Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services

Ground Handler of the Year – Middle East SATS Saudi Arabia

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2025 | www.payloadasia.com

Cargo Airport of the Year – Asia Pacific Hong Kong International Airport Cargo Airport of the Year – Europe Budapest Airport Global Airport of the Year - Top Award Changi Airport Group Sustainability Advocate of the Year DHL Express

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