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Southeast Asia demand keeps Cathay Cargo's volumes elavated

Cathay Cargo recorded a strong increase in airfreight volumes last month supported by demand from the Chinese mainland into southeast Asia and uptake of its Priority service. Airfreight volumes totalled approximately 145,000 tonnes during June, a rise of 9% year on year. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 1%. In the first six months of 2026, the total tonnage increased by 9% compared with the same period for 2025. Cathay chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau said: "Cargo tonnage recorded a solid year-on-year increase in June. During the month, we saw strong cargo flows from the Chinese Mainland into Southeast Asia alongside steady demand within Southeast Asia. "Shipments into the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong remained resilient, while our specialist solutions continued to perform well, with semiconductor and pharmaceutical shipments supporting growth in Cathay Expert and Cathay Pharma respectively. "Cathay Priority also saw strong demand into Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and the Americas, reflecting shippers' need for time-definite solutions to replenish inventory." Lau pointed to jet fuel prices as an ongoing area of concern, as well as the potential e-commerce impact of the recently implemented EU customs duty on low-value parcels imported from outside the EU. Early July figures from data provider and consultant Rotate showed that freighter capacity between China and Hong Kong and the European Union appears to have declined following the start of the new duty. "Looking ahead, we anticipate continued healthy cargo flows across our network," added Lau. "At the same time, we will monitor the potential impact on e-commerce flows following the introduction of new customs duties on low-value imports into Europe." The carrier recently cancelled its plans to restart freighter operations to the Middle East region following renewed fighting between the US and Iran.

Azul eyes intra-American growth with A321 freighter expansion

Azul Logística is looking ahead to the further expansion of its cargo business through the addition of four Airbus A321 freighters. Earlier this year, the cargo division of Azul Linhas Aéreas announced it would add four further A321 freighters to the two it already operates. The carrier took delivery of its first A321F last year and the latest are due to begin delivery this year, with the final one due for delivery in 2027. The Airbus freighters are being used to replace the airline's previous fleet of classic Boeing 737 freighters, the last of which was retired last year. The carrier also previously operated five Embraer E195 Class F 'preighters'. Azul has been focusing on developing its e-commerce and express service offering in recent years and makes use of Azul Linhas Aéreas' domestic network. Global GSA Group, which works with the airline, welcomed the opportunity the new freighters would bring, saying they would support expansion of key domestic and intra-American network. "Azul already operates over 800 domestic flights per day and handles more than 100,000 shipments each day," says Aytekin Saray, chief executive of Global GSA Group. "With four new freighters soon being delivered, we will be able to optimise Azul Logística's operations using data analytics and other CargoTech software solutions to determine sustainable strategies for certain key routes currently operating at peak, while supporting business development, market expertise, and regional coordination across Latin America." Those routes include double-daily, domestic flights to Manaus (MAO) and scheduled flights to Belém (BEL), as well as new international routes. Scheduled flights to Santiago de Chile (SCL) and Buenos Aires (EZE) have already begun, while Lima (LIM) and Montevideo (MVD) are in the pipeline. Azul also operates charter flights for special projects, such as hatching eggs and audio equipment for touring bands. "Our success story with the Airbus 321 freighter kicked off with the celebration of the first aircraft delivery at Campinas Airport, last year - and Global GSA Group's market knowledge and network soon generated excellent load factors on its initial routes", added Izabel Reis, director of Azul Logística. "This freighter type offers the ideal versatility and size, allowing Azul to flex and offer market solutions where they are most needed. So, it was an easy decision to expand and modernise our fleet with an additional four Airbus 321 freighters, going forward." Azul Logística also plans to introduce weekly flights from Campinas, via Viracopos Airport, to Lima Airport in the second half of 2026, using the new Airbus A321 freighters. "Lima is a logical strategic addition to Azul Logística's network, given the high demand that we see from Europe and strong business from Peru to domestic Brazil via the Viracopos hub," Saray added. "These new services will offer more connectivity and open up all kinds of opportunities for forwarders throughout the region. "This new connection also reinforces our own Global GSA Group growth strategy in South America and expands the logistics possibilities between Brazil and the Andean region, especially for sensitive, industrial and high-value cargo."

DSV starts Chicago Rockford-Incheon freighter service

Freight forwarder DSV has launched a scheduled weekly freighter service between Chicago Rockford International Airport in the US and Incheon International Airport in South Korea. The service will depart from Chicago Rockford on Saturdays and builds on DSV's services to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, launched in November 2025, and Luxembourg Airport, launched in June. Air Cargo News has requested more information from DSV about its capacity arrangements for the service. For Chicago Rockford, the service further strengthens its position as a strategic cargo gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and the Americas. DSV also plans to introduce a new scheduled service connecting Chicago Rockford with Chennai International Airport later this year. "Incheon is one of Asia's most important cargo hubs, and with this new service, DSV can provide reliable capacity and connectivity via the network we are building through Rockford," said Mohamed Siraj, vice president air direct/global gateways, DSV. "The airport has consistently demonstrated the operational reliability and flexibility needed to support scheduled international freighter services, making it a natural choice as we continue developing our air cargo operations." Zack Oakley, executive director, Chicago Rockford, commented: "The launch of our Incheon service marks another important milestone in our long-term strategy to increase Rockford's connectivity with Asia. "Together with our Shanghai and Luxembourg services, we offer reliable, scheduled connections linking the United States with Europe and Asia through a dedicated cargo airport built around speed, efficiency, and operational reliability."