Kuehne+Nagel expands air freight network in volume-hungry Europe

Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) is eyeing greater connectivity with Europe via Frankfurt, while Central Europe's air cargo sector is increasingly focused on capturing volumes that continue to favour Western European gateways. The freight forwarding giant has announced the expansion of its air freight network by adding Frankfurt to the rotation of its B747-8 freighter between North America, Europe, and Asia. The move introduces a weekly Chicago-Frankfurt-Atlanta link between two major pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution hubs, enhancing support for time-sensitive healthcare shipments, it said. Operated by Atlas Air under a long-term charter agreement, its freighter, named Inspire, offers around 140 tonnes of capacity on the updated rotation connecting Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, Liège, Sharjah, and Taipei. Martin Schaefer, SVP air logistics Germany at K+N, said Frankfurt's position as a leading European cargo and pharma hub would provide customers with "greater capacity, reliability and global connectivity". K+N said the expansion formed part of its wider strategy to grow its own-controlled air freight network, which now comprises more than 100 weekly charter connections worldwide. Meanwhile, during TIACA's Executive Summit last week, a panel discussion on the future of Central European air cargo argued that the region's strong economic growth, manufacturing base, and rising consumer demand should enable local airports to retain a greater share of cargo currently routed through major hubs, such as Frankfurt. Michał Grochowski, cargo director at LOT Cargo, said locally contracted export volumes remained resilient despite broader trade headwinds, suggesting some traditional Western European gateways were already beginning to lose traffic. "Export is still on the same level, it means that foreign hubs are losing freight coming from this front," he said, while identifying ecommerce as the principal driver of recent growth. However, Mr Grochowski warned that structural barriers continued to limit the region's ability to attract additional freighter services. He argued that Central Europe needed more "secure supply chains", in the form of recognised shippers and improved access to main-deck cargo before dedicated freighter operations could be economically sustainable. At the same time, airports across the region were positioning themselves to capture future growth, setting up an increasingly competitive landscape, delegates heard. Budapest Airport, which handled 426,000 tonnes of freight last year, remains the largest cargo gateway in Central and Eastern Europe and has expanded rapidly through investments in infrastructure and liberal traffic rights policies. The airport's cargo director, József Kossuth, argued that investment, rather than geography alone, was determining which airports were winning market share. "If you look at the recent developments, look who grew the most in Europe, even in the world - those that invested in capacities," he said, citing Budapest, Liège, Milan, and Madrid. Competition is set to intensify further with Poland's Central Communication Port (CPK) project, scheduled to open in the early 2030s. Designed as a multimodal logistics hub, the airport will include dedicated cargo facilities, rail connections, road access, and streamlined customs processes. While some observers see CPK as a future rival to existing gateways, Mr Kossuth suggested growth prospects were large enough to support multiple hubs. "I don't see Katowice as a competitor," he said. "There's a very good place for new capacity." The panel's overall message was that Central Europe has the economic fundamentals to become a far larger player in global air cargo, but urged that ensuring infrastructure, regulation, and airline networks evolved quickly enough to prevent more of the region's freight from continuing its journey via Western Europe would be key.

Geodis promotes Gerbi to EVP global freight forwarding

French logistics and freight forwarding company Geodis has appointed Eric Gerbi as executive vice president of its global freight forwarding business. Since 2024, he has served as chief financial officer of the global freight forwarding division, but he has been working with Geodis for 15 years in total. Gerbi began his career in the banking sector at BNP Paribas before joining Deloitte in 2006 as a financial auditor. In 2008, he joined Saint-Gobain as a management controller. He joined Geodis in 2011 as financial controller for the Americas region. In 2014, he was appointed chief financial officer for the supply chain optimization (SCO) line of business. In 2018, in addition to his role as chief financial officer, he expanded his responsibilities by becoming deputy executive vice president of SCO. In this role, he oversaw human resources, IT, customer solutions, and key account management. Then in October 2021, he was appointed executive vice president of the SCO division at Geodis. In addition to his new role, Gerbi will serve as a member of the Group's executive board, which is chaired by Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive of Geoids. Geodis freight forwarding offers multimodal transport options including ocean, air, road and/or rail. Last month, the company signed up to utilise data provider Rotate's live capacity and air demand solutions in response to increased industry volatility.

FedEx and China Southern Air Logistics signs strategic cooperation MoU

FedEx and China Southern Air Logistics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation opportunities across international flight and hub connectivity, network planning, fleet resources, ground operations, and digitalisation. Both parties will seek to use their resources and capabilities to deepen strategic collaboration, enhance operational efficiency and global service capabilities, and create best practices in logistics. The MoU was signed by FedEx China president Poh-Yian Koh and China Southern Air Logistics chairman Li Xiao, with FedEx chief operation officer of international and chief executive of airline Richard Smith and China Southern Air Holding Co., Ltd president Han Wensheng as witnesses. "We are pleased to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with China Southern Air Logistics. This collaboration represents a pivotal opportunity for both sides to deepen business alignment and strengthen air logistics network development, while also underscoring our shared commitment to a long-term, in-depth cooperation," said Koh. "By integrating FedEx global air network resources with China Southern Air Logistics' operational experience in both domestic and international markets, we will further enhance route connectivity and operational efficiency. "Together, we will build a smarter, more agile, and more resilient air logistics ecosystem -- better serving the growing cross-border logistics needs of Chinese customers and injecting new momentum into the smooth flow and development of the global supply chain." Xiao added: "As one of China Southern Air Logistics' key partners, FedEx shares a solid foundation of cooperation and a close collaborative relationship with us. The signing of this Strategic MoU marks an important milestone in expanding our cooperation dimensions and deepening mutually beneficial outcomes. "The two sides will focus on five key areas -- cargo space, routes, fleet, operations, and digitalization -- to leverage respective resource advantages, striving to enhance the stability and operational efficiency of the global supply chain and reinforce the strategic position of Guangzhou as an international aviation hub." FedEx, which entered the China market in 1984, said that in recent months it has further optimised its logistics network connecting China with key markets across Asia and Europe.