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Air & Road Freight Between Slovakia and the UK

Expeditors sees air cargo volumes and revenues rise in Q3

Expeditors International has reported a continued surge in air cargo volumes and revenues as a result of hyperscaler demand and rising freight rates. The US forwarder said that air cargo volumes were up 13% year on year in the third quarter of the year, with an 8% improvement in July, a 13% increase in August and 19% increase in September. Meanwhile, air revenues were also on the rise, increasing by 51.4% year on year during the quarter to $1.5bn. Revenues were boosted by higher volumes and also higher airfreight rates, the company said. Expeditors said that airfreight demand remained strong during the quarter, driven primarily by continued growth in South Asia, where export tonnage increased most notably. "Hyperscaler demand, which also includes shipments from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers supporting AI infrastructure, was a significant driver of volume growth, while air capacity remains constrained by limited fleet expansion and ongoing new aircraft delivery delays," the company added. "Capacity was also impacted by aircraft redeployments that affected Asia-Europe e-commerce, stemming from European Union regulations meant to curb the flow of de minimis imports. "At the same time, China-US e-commerce tonnage has nearly recovered to what it was prior to the US termination of de minimis shipments in May 2025. Adding geopolitical events to this mix, airfreight rates remained elevated during the quarter, with demand outpacing available capacity." While airfreight revenues and volumes were up, the company also noted an increase in air operating costs, which grew by 52% to $1.2bn. Air Cargo News calculations show that the company's airfreight operating margin has actually declined marginally from 24.8% in the third quarter of last year to 24.3% this year. Airfreight service operating profits (airfreight service revenues minus operating expenses) reached $375m against $253m last year. The higher operating costs likely stem from higher carrier rates as demand growth has outstripped capacity additions and fuel prices have grown significantly as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The latest IATA/Platts fuel price monitor figures show that jet fuel costs are up by more than 112% compared with last year.

UK's East Midlands Airport wins another freighter service

The UK's East Midlands Airport has this week welcomed another freighter service connecting the Midlands airport with China. The Central China Longhao Airlines', also known as Air Central, service, will operate twice per week between East Midlands Airport and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. The first flight landed in the UK on 2 November and was operated by a Boeing 747-400 freighter. East Midlands Airport's commercial director Adam Andrews said: "We're really pleased to welcome Central China Langhao as a new airline operating to East Midlands as its gateway into the UK. "Longhao's decision to start operations here provides further evidence of the airport's growing strength and reputation within the rapidly evolving Chinese air cargo market. "We are continuing to attract more cargo operators, who understand that our great central location and available capacity, helped by a 24/7 operation, together make us an unbeatable proposition in the UK." State-owned China Central Longhao Airlines is based in China's Henan Province and played a key role in the construction of Zhengzhou international air cargo hub. According to fleet tracking site Planespotters.net, the airline operates a fleet of seven aircraft - five Boeing 737-800Fs and two Boeing 747-400Fs. East Midlands Airport has seen its cargo volumes grow by 5% year on year between January and September, while in September there was a 6.3% increase. In May last year, the airport launched cargo growth plans designed to meet an estimated 54% increase in demand for its cargo operations over the next two decades. Four plots close to the runway, totalling 50 hectares, were earmarked for cargo development. Then in July, the airport reconfigured its cargo aprons so that out of 27 cargo stands, 12 can now take wide-bodied aircraft, up from seven previously. The airport is also hoping to recruit a head of cargo development.

Adani Ports bidding for Europe's tank terminals - the test is whether it pays for returns or size

Adani Ports raised its guidance on growth that increasingly comes from outside India; walked away from Associated British Ports; has reportedly made a binding offer of about $3.3bn for European terminal operator EVOS; and has set up a company in Oman as the Port of Salalah prepares to change operator - with the US case against its founder closed, a credit rating equal to India's sovereign and shares that have beaten a falling Indian market by 32 points this ...