More concerns from IATA as freighter ban looms at Mumbai Airport - The Loadstar

A near-year-long freighter slot suspension at Mumbai International Airport (MIAL), from August until May 2027, has again drawn flak from IATA.. It hit out at a rescheduled timeline for multiple infrastructure upgrade projects by terminal operator Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL), after shelving a mid-2025 suspension plan following widespread industry pushback, including from IATA. The airline group said the prolonged suspension could have a material impact on cargo operations out of the busy hub, adding: "Effective engagement by MIAL with industry stakeholders is critical." IATA also claimed MIAL had taken no heed of concerns and suggestions communicated earlier, particularly concerning best business practice compliance in line with guidelines laid down by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board. "We have yet to receive a response from MIAL," it noted. The infrastructure improvement plans at Mumbai include re-carpeting the main runway and developing a new parallel taxiway, according to available information. MIAL had told stakeholders operational limitations at Mumbai had presented no feasible alternative to a temporary freighter closure in order to facilitate the expansion development. Nearly a quarter of India's air cargo moves via Mumbai Airport, so freighter service disruption will result in capacity repercussions amid growing volumes, sources believe. MIAL handled some 693,000 tonnes of shipments in the first three quarters (April-December) of fiscal year 2025-26, with international volumes up 17%, data shows. Vineet Malhotra, co-founder and director at Mumbai-based Kale Logistics Solutions, echoed concerns over trade pain points. "The concerns raised by IATA regarding potential cargo disruptions at Mumbai underline the importance of carefully managing this transition phase," he told The Loadstar. "As infrastructure upgrades progress, it is equally critical to accelerate operational readiness and digital integration at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) to ensure seamless cargo migration and capacity optimisation." The MIAL freighter suspension announcement was, apparently, timed to coincide with the commissioning of NMIA, also an Adani terminal, outside Mumbai City, but cargo infrastructure and related trade systems there remain a 'work-in-progress' for full flow operations. The Navi Mumbai integrated air cargo terminal features some 36,000 sq metres of space for domestic cargo and some 25,500 sq metres for international cargo, with Phase 1 capacity estimated at some 800,000 tonnes annually.

Air Canada Cargo 2025 revenues up 4%

Air Canada Cargo has surpassed C$1bn in revenue for 2025, helped by the success of the freighter network strategy and a 28% increase in year-over-year digital bookings. Total 2025 cargo revenues were C$1,033m, up 4% from C$991m in 2024. "The increase was primarily attributable to higher volumes in Latin America and the Pacific, influenced by shifts in shipping activity resulting from adjustments to tariff deadlines and revisions to US duty-free exemption rules for low-value goods," said Air Canada. "Domestic growth benefited from improved year-over-year yields. These gains were partially offset by flight cancellations caused by labour disruptions in August." The airline said it had six Boeing 767 freighters in service as of December 31, 2025, no change from the previous year. 2025 cargo revenues by geographic region Fourth quarter cargo revenues were C$291m, down 1% year on year. "The decline was primarily due to lower volume in the Pacific and Transborder and yield in the Atlantic. The decline was partially offset by stronger yields year over year in the Domestic market and higher volumes in Latin America," explained Air Canada. Jon Turner, vice president, cargo at Air Canada, said: "Air Canada Cargo's performance in 2025 clearly demonstrates the strength of our long‑term strategy and the unwavering commitment of our teams. "Surpassing $1bn in annual revenue is a significant milestone, and underscores Air Canada Cargo's position as a global leader in airfreight. "As we look ahead, we will continue investing in innovation, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships to unlock even greater opportunities for our customers and for global trade." Air Canada Cargo's operations were impacted by a strike in August last year that affected third quarter cargo revenues a result of flight cancellations that impacted cargo volumes.

APM Terminals buys minority stake in DP World's Jeddah facility - The Loadstar

APM Terminals today marked its entrance to the Saudi Arabia port market after agreeing to acquire a 37.5% minority stake in DP World's Southern Container Terminal in the Red Sea port of Jeddah for an undisclosed price. DP World said it would retain the remaining 62.5% and "continue to lead the operations at the facility", which it originally entered in 2001, and subsequently signed a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession extension in 2019. "Saudi Arabia is a strategic market for DP World, and Jeddah Islamic Port has been central to our growth in the Kingdom for more than two decades," Yuvraj Narayan, DP World CEO, said. "Since securing the concession in 2019, we have transformed the Southern Container Terminal into a modern, high-capacity gateway, further strengthening Jeddah's position as a leading Red Sea hub in support of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030," he added. The deal is unlikely to lead to much reshuffling in the way of shipping services, as Maersk's three current services into the port - Gemini's Med-Jeddah loops 1, 2 and 3, according to the eeSea liner database - already call at the South Container Terminal. However, the carrier's appetite to resume Suez Canal transits will likely see further calls added when the Gemini Asia-Europe and Asia-east coast North America services resume the Red Sea route, with several calls at the port on the trans-Suez pro forma schedule versions published by Gemini, although it is not on the rotation of Gemini's India-Med Loop which recently resumed Suez transits. "This investment secures long-term access to quality infrastructure and strengthens our ability to support customers with reliable, scalable capacity in the Kingdom," Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, said. "Jeddah Islamic Port is a vital gateway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a key hub in our customers' supply chains. "We are pleased to invest in the Southern Container Terminal and to deepen our presence in Saudi Arabia through this strategic step. Jeddah is one of the region's most important trade corridors," he added. The deal means that through Maersk's ownership of APM Terminals, there are now three carrier shareholders in Jeddah's facilities, with Cosco already holding minority stakes in the North Container Terminal and the Red Sea Gateway Terminal 1. And last October, CMA CGM signed a joint-venture deal with Saudi Ports Authority to develop the $450m Red Sea Gateway Terminal 2.