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Analysis: Keep calm and hit the road with DSV

In a nutshell: With service restored in its European road network, DSV's recovery is turning from an operations job into a sales job. The argument among the banks is less about whether profits rise than about how fast, and the road business is where their 2027 forecasts diverge most. In June, DSV put the Road division in the hands of group COO Brian Ejsing (pictured below) - the natural born leader joined the company in 1986, spent 22 years in ...

Airbus ups expectations for freighter fleet expansion

Airbus has upped its freighter fleet forecast for the coming 20 years despite lowering its expectation for cargo volume growth over the period. Announced at the Cargo Facts Symposium, the airframer now expects the worldwide fleet of dedicated freighter aircraft to increase by 46% from 2,360 in 2026 to 3,460 aircraft by 2045. This is up from the 3,420 Airbus predicted would be required by 2045 in its 2025 forecast. Drilling into the figures further, Airbus said there will be a requirement for 2,670 freighters, with 1,580 aircraft replacing scrapped older freighters and 1,090 required to meet demand growth. Of the 2,670 freighters required, 1,140 will be single-aisle, 860 mid-size widebodies, and 670 large widebody aircraft. Some 970 aircraft will be new-build and 1,700 will be converted from passenger aircraft. The increase in its prediction comes despite Airbus lowering its expectation for annual air cargo growth to 3.2% from 3.3% in last year's forecast. However, the company emphasised the growing importance of freighter aircraft to carry cargo types that are expected to lead growth over the next 20 years and to meet supply chain volatility. "Despite high fuel prices, ongoing geopolitical disruptions, and supply chain constraints, air freight has demonstrated remarkable resilience," Airbus said. "While air cargo accounts for less than 1% of global trade volume by weight, it carries more than 30% of total trade by value, proving it to be a vital mode of transport for goods requiring the quickest routes to market. "In the last three years, computers and high-technology goods in air cargo have doubled in value, reaching 15% in 2026. Other drivers include e-commerce and air cargo seen as an alternative to shipping for some goods." Looking at regional trends, Asia Pacific will "continue to be the leading region for international air cargo traffic", with routes to North America being the largest (3.8% annual growth rate), followed by Europe. "Regional demand for the 2,670 freighter deliveries will be led by North America and Asia Pacific, requiring 925 and 850 aircraft respectively, together accounting for two-thirds of total global demand," Airbus said. Demand in Europe and CIS will reach 515 aircraft, followed by Latin America with 165, the Middle East with 125, and Africa with 90. "An increasing number of previous-generation freighters will be retired and replaced by highly efficient next-generation freighters in the next 20 years. "This includes new-build models such as the A350F, as well as passenger-to-freighter conversions across the A320, A321, and A330 families, helping operators lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions."

Cathay Cargo sees volumes boom in September

Hong Kong-based Cathay Cargo, the freight division within the Cathay Group, carried more than 150,000 tonnes of cargo last month (September), a figure up by 14.2% on the same month of last year. Cathay chief customer and commercial officer pointed to the increase being driven by "resilient cargo demand". Capacity as measured in available freight tonne km (AFTKs) was up by 5.3% year on year. Over the first nine months of 2026, total tonnage carried was up by 8.9% compared with the same period of 2025, reaching a figure of 1.3m tonnes. Over that same period, capacity rose by 3.3% year on year. The cargo load factor reached 58.9% in September, up by 1.8% on the same month of 2025. The cargo load factor also averaged 58.9% over the first three quarters of this year, up by 0.8% year on year. Lau observed: "We continued to see year-on-year tonnage growth in September, with demand remaining resilient from the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia. "In terms of our specialist solutions, Cathay Priority maintained its momentum, boosted by time-critical shipments from Southeast Asia, while continued semiconductor flows underpinned strong demand for our Cathay Expert solution. "Looking ahead, we expect demand to strengthen further as we approach the traditional year-end air cargo peak season, supported by a positive market outlook for the fourth quarter." Lau did also point to more worrying "elevated" jet fuel prices, however, that increase airline costs. Earlier this month, Cathay Cargo confirmed that it had added more transpacific freighter capacity between its home hub at Hong Kong International Airport and Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico, as part of its plans to move more technology-related shipments during the peak season. Jonathan Ng, head of cargo hub operations & development at Cathay, had announced in September that transpacific freighter capacity would be added to cater for growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments but did not specify where.