Busy month over at Ethiopian Airlines, which is doubling down on its cargo operations. Last week, Africa’s largest carrier announced the lease contract signing with AerCap Holdings N.V., for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, increasing the number of long-range aircraft in its fleet by 10% when they join it in the second quarter of 2028. Currently, Ethiopian operates a fleet of 12 Boeing B777-200LRF and 4 Boeing B767-300F, with 4 Boeing B737-800F complementing its cargo capacity on medium-range routes. The latest expected freighter type to come in two years’ time, is known “The Big Twin” – a nickname coined and marketed by GECAS/AerCap and converter, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) upon launching the Boeing 777-300ERSF conversion program. The moniker refers to the fact that the aircraft has just two GE90 engines instead of four, making it a very large, but still just twin-engine widebody. Ethiopian Airlines will be the first carrier in Africa to operate the “The Big Twin”.

Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, announced: “We are delighted to partner with AerCap to bring the first Boeing 777-300ERSF to Africa. These aircraft will significantly enhance our cargo capacity and efficiency, boosting trade in the region. As demand for air freight continues to grow, Ethiopian Airlines remains committed to investing in modern, sustainable solutions that cement our position in the global cargo market.”

Aengus Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of AerCap, said: “We are delighted to deepen our long-standing partnership with Ethiopian Airlines – the first customer to operate this aircraft type in Africa – through this important transaction. With 25% more capacity than today’s smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the 777-300ERSF delivers significant cost efficiencies and will position Ethiopian Airlines to further expand its growing cargo platform.”

A week earlier, the carrier revealed that Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services would be joining the Freightos cargo booking platform, before the end of March, opening up visibility of its rates and capacity to freight forwarders, and giving them the opportunity to quickly book and pay in real time. Dereje Derero, Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, stated: “Through our partnership with Freightos, we are enhancing our cargo services for customers, including freight forwarders worldwide, by offering digital rates, quoting, and ebooking solutions with faster access and reliable service. This further strengthens our position as the continent’s leading cargo carrier.”

Air Charter Service’s Time Critical division revealed a major surge in demand for its Next Flight Out (NFO) service over the last year, as shippers turned to urgent, schedule‑based airfreight to navigate supply‑chain volatility and geopolitical disruptions. The NFO offering, which books cargo on the next available scheduled flight without a courier, grew around 175% year‑on‑year, reflecting its appeal for larger, pallet‑size consignments where cost‑efficiency still matters. That growth sits alongside an 85% rise in On‑Board Courier (OBC) jobs, and a 53% increase in U.S. ground‑transport bookings.

Robert Alleman, CEO of ACS Time Critical, said: “We enjoyed a very successful 12 months last year – with all three of our services seeing large increases. The biggest of those came in our NFO division, with almost three times the amount of work compared to 2024. We brought in the experienced Ash McCook a little under 18 months ago, who has a background in urgent logistics, which started in the armed forces more than 15 years ago – his focus on the NFO offering and team has really paid dividends. NFO provides a more versatile and cost-effective solution than OBC, as it allows for larger shipments that are unaccompanied by a passenger. With recent geopolitical situations, tariffs, supply chain disruptions and rapid market changes, NFO has become an invaluable resource for a wide array of industries. Having the IATA Cargo Accreditation affords us direct access to securing cargo capacity on virtually any airline, significantly increasing the speed at which we can book NFOs – increasing our efficiency, benefitting not only our team, but also our customers. Our Onboard Courier (OBC), or hand-carry, team increased their jobs by 85% last year, making it the most that they have dealt with in a year since we launched the division 10 years ago. We have a ground transportation department in the U.S., who often help to arrange trucking for our customers’ cargo and, with the increased workload, theirs has also grown, with 53% more bookings last year.” Dan Morgan-Evans, Group Cargo Director of ACS, added: “We restructured our TCS leadership team last year, with Robert as the new Head, and Andreas Spies promoted to COO, and it has really paid off. The future for ACS Time Critical is bright, following the huge strides the they made last year and the team expansion we are currently undergoing.”

Unsurprisingly, the recent survey carried out among The Airforwarders Association’s members revealed that the current Middle East conflict is translating into widespread operational disruption and rising costs for air cargo. Many carriers have rerouted around hotspots, lengthening flight times and reducing sector capacity, while energy‑price spikes and insurance surcharges have pushed up per‑ton costs. This is squeezing margins for U.S: forwarders already grappling with softening general‑cargo demand. More than half of the forwarders have said that they face cost increases amid ongoing global uncertainty. 65+% pointed to measurable cost increases. These were judged as significant increases by 27% of respondents, while 41% spoke of moderate increases. Over 75% of freightforwarding AfA members stated some level of disruption, which 29% classed as having significant impact, while 38 % reported moderate impact.

“Members identified rate volatility, flight cancellations, capacity constraints, and longer transit times as the most common issues, alongside growing customer service pressures and space embargoes,” the press release underlines, going on to emphasize the need for “a resolution to the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has been ongoing since 13FEB26, and for policymakers to prioritize payment of Transportation Security Administration personnel to avoid further disruption to aviation operations.” AfA promises continued operational updates and support in pushing for greater supply chain stability and predictability. Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association, commented: “This data shows a sector under sustained pressure from global events beyond its control, with disruption, cost inflation, and uncertainty compounding daily operational challenges. Forwarders are adapting in real time, but they need a stable operating environment to keep goods moving efficiently. Ending uncertainty, whether operational or regulatory, is critical to maintaining the resilience and reliability of the air cargo sector.”

WCAworld is expanding its global footprint with the launch of the WCAworld China International Logistics conference, the rebranded 22nd edition of the longstanding SINO Conference in Shanghai (20–23JUN26). The shift aims to open the event to a broader international audience while maintaining WCA’s signature high‑quality format of structured one‑on‑one meetings, networking, and partnership development. The conference remains a key platform for Chinese logistics firms to reach global partners and for international forwarders to source reliable counterparts in China, with the China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA) continuing its central role. Crucially, the event is open to the entire industry, not just WCAworld members, reinforcing its position as a major, accessible global networking hub in China’s evolving supply‑chain landscape.

Dan March, WCAworld CEO, revealed: “We’re revamping the conference, not just changing the name, to raise the bar – bringing more of the right partners into the room, especially from China, while presenting the same standards and experience that define every WCAworld event.”

Chairman of WCAworld, David Yokeum, commented: “When we started the SINO conference over twenty years ago, we were one of the first to bring international logistics networking into the country and many of our members have enjoyed fruitful business as a result. These changes allow us to keep that impetus going for the next twenty years and drive even more partnerships in the industry.”

Earlier this month, WCA reported strong success of its WCA Worldwide Conference 2026, which was held in Singapore 9-13MAR26. Despite the huge disruption and fall-out caused by U.S. operations on 28FEB26, the conference still saw 4388 freight forwarding attendees from 109 countries, 230 exhibition booths, and more than 80,000 one-on-one business meetings.

WCS Chairman, David Yokeum, stated: “Once again it was truly a privilege to see the resilience and adaptability of independent forwarders. Seeing thousands of the world’s best logistics companies overcome such difficulties and create millions of dollars of new business was awe-inspiring and a testament to the quality and can-do attitude that typifies our community. If COVID taught us anything it’s that even if the world stops, global trade doesn’t and providing the best platform for SME companies to thrive is always our goal.” CEO, Dan March, added: “The response from members was truly humbling as they pulled out all the stops to be in Singapore. Thanks to their incredible ability to adapt to every challenge, the Conference was again a resounding success with almost 90% of those booked able to attend. Thousands of our members from over 100 countries, with different politics and religions, came together as business partners and friends during the week providing a stark contrast to events elsewhere in the world.”

GAL Aviation has rolled out Kale Logistics’ Airport Cargo Community System (ACS) as the official platform for cargo appointment scheduling and delivery management at Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport. The move aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and coordination among exporters, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders. By standardizing appointment booking and information exchange, ACS is expected to cut waiting times, enhance predictability, and streamline cargo flows between terminals and delivery areas. The platform also boosts shipment visibility and traceability, supporting better planning across the airport’s cargo ecosystem. GAL Aviation is urging all exporters, shippers, and logistics partners to register on the system to ensure a smooth transition in line with airport and industry standards.

Juan Pablo Luchau, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline GAL, remarked: “With the implementation of the ACS platform, we reinforce our commitment to modernization and greater efficiency within Colombia’s air cargo ecosystem. This initiative will help improve coordination throughout the logistics chain while strengthening the sector’s overall performance and competitiveness. We have already begun pilot testing at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport, where a tool of this technological caliber is indispensable given the complexity of the station. Our commercial and operational teams remain fully committed to supporting our partners during the implementation phase, ensuring a smooth and successful transition to the new system.” Amar More, President and CEO of Kale Info Solutions, added: “Today, airports require smarter digital ecosystems to manage growing cargo volumes and complex interactions among multiple stakeholders. We are proud to support GAL Aviation and Bogotá’s logistics ecosystem with a solution that enhances coordination, increases cargo visibility, and facilitates more efficient cargo flows throughout the airport supply chain.”

French, private airline, Pan Européenne Air Service (PEAS) placed its first firm order for AURA AERO’s 19‑seat hybrid‑electric ERA aircraft, earlier this month, marking a key step toward decarbonizing regional aviation. The ERA combines eight electric motors (ENGINeUS, developed by Safran and the world’s first certified electric aircraft engine) and two SAF‑compatible turbogenerators, alternating between hybrid and electric modes to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 80% versus conventional aircraft in its class, while offering a 900 NM (1,500 km) range. Crucially, the design is versatile enough for passenger, business‑aviation, special‑mission and light cargo configurations, hinting at future niche‑cargo roles on regional routes where emissions and noise are under scrutiny. Pan Européenne, already a long‑standing regional operator, aims to be among the first carriers to run paying passengers on a hybrid‑electric aircraft, positioning ERA as both a sustainability showcase and a potential template for low‑impact, point‑to‑point air‑cargo feeder networks in Europe and beyond. “To date, the order book for ERA includes nearly 700 Letters of Intent from 16 international airlines and fleet operators, valued at USD 12 billion,” the press release reveals.

Antoine Foessel and Clément Jacquot, co-CEOs and owners of Pan Européenne’ joint statement reads: “AURA AERO’s ambition and values are perfectly aligned with our vision of the aviation of tomorrow. The technological and industrial choices made in the design and production of ERA since the launch of the company have always proved extremely relevant, and it was only natural that we chose this aircraft in order to be able to offer the first decarbonized air transport service in history.” Jérémy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO, said: “Pan Européenne is much more than a launch customer; it is a trusted partner that has been with us since the beginning of the ERA program. We are very proud to have the commitment of a company that has chosen to support a French manufacturer, because we share the same values and vision.”

Speed is everything, when it comes to perishables – every minute saved, is a minute gained in shelf-life and saleable wares. And if you’re unhampered by congestion and blessed with great infrastructure, you’re in with a winning chance. But to actually perform up to twice as fast as your European peers, that is quite the badge of honor and a serious selling point when it comes to attracting new customers. No wonder, then, that Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) published its findings last week, based on data it had collected over the course of 2025. A total of around 5,000 temperature measurements revealed that MST “is among Europe’s most efficient airports for handling perishable and sensitive goods”. By ‘most efficient’, it means pretty much acting at double the speed: “Data collected in 2025 shows that flowers entering Europe via MST reach their final destination in half the time, on average, compared to similar shipments travelling through other European airports”. The results showed that the average handling time required for flower shipments at MST, is around 3 hours. Other EU airports take between 3.5 to 6.5 hours for the same shipment types. “Even during peak periods, the Netherlands’ second-largest cargo airport achieves stable, short handling times of 2 to 4 hours. In comparison, the longest handling times at other European cargo airports range from 7 to 10 hours,” the release states, putting MST’s success down to its heavy investment, last year, in advanced monitoring technology to improve the quality and lifespan of the sensitive cargo passing through it. It also cites MST’s fortunate geographical location and direct access to the motorway for immediate onforwarding, which means that 4 out of 5 shipments make it to the Aalsmeer auction on the same day, before it closes.

Dean Boljuncic, Head of Commercial Development at Maastricht Aachen Airport, underlined: “Handling time is a decisive factor in the quality and shelf life of flowers. Every minute flowers are exposed to higher temperatures shortens their lifespan. This data shows that MST consistently needs less time to process delicate cargo, thereby reducing value loss across the supply chain. These results show that we are not only fast, but above all remarkably consistent. For perishables such as flowers, time is literally money. With these insights into the entire chain, we can reduce waste, increase quality, and offer our customers a reliable transport network.”