Air

The logistics market in the first quarter of 2026 is characterized by stable demand amid capacity constraints, rising regulatory costs, and moderate economic growth. AsstrA estimates that the global economy is developing unevenly: inflation has generally stabilized, industrial activity in the EU and US remains weak, while China is showing growth. Demand for transportation is expected to be stable without a sharp increase. The company notes that the market has entered a phase where cost management, planning discipline, and flexibility are becoming more important than short-term rate optimization.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global air cargo demand in 2025 is projected to increase by 3.4% compared to 2024, with international traffic growing by 4.2%. Meanwhile, cargo revenue declined by 1.5%, the smallest drop in three years, remaining 37.2% above 2019 levels.

Global aircraft maintenance and repair services provider FL Technics, part of the Avia Solutions Group, has completed the acquisition of Job Air Technic. The transaction, announced last year, was finalized after all required conditions were met. As a result, the Czech company officially joined the FL Technics global network.

Scandinavian ground handling provider Aviator has announced a review of its long-term strategy aimed at strengthening core operational competencies, increasing employee engagement, and strengthening airline partnerships. The company is focusing on operational excellence, safety, digitalization, sustainability, and continuous innovation to cement its status as a preferred partner for airlines and prepare for growth in the Nordic and EU markets.

Baltic Ground Services (BGS) has extended its partnership with Latvian airline airBaltic for more than one year. Under the updated agreement, BGS will continue to provide refuelling services for airBaltic aircraft at Palanga Airport (PLQ) and Riga Airport (RIX). The agreement commences on November 1, 2025, and will run until the end of 2026.

KTZ Express, a freight operator under the Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), has registered a new airline, KTZ Air Cargo. The carrier’s authorized capital is 196.6 million tenge, or approximately $380,000. The creation of the airline is aimed at expanding the range of multimodal logistics services that KTZ and its subsidiaries and partners already offer on international routes.

Aviator Airport Alliance, part of the Avia Solutions Group and providing a full range of aviation services at 15 airports in Northern Europe, has signed a ground handling contract with Vietnam Airlines at Copenhagen Airport. The agreement supports the launch of the first direct flight between Vietnam and Northern Europe, which will begin on December 15, 2025, connecting Copenhagen with Ho Chi Minh City.

Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo, both part of the Lufthansa Group, announced a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing customer value and strengthening their position amid changes in the global air freight industry. Both companies will maintain their own brands while combining commercial and operational efforts.

Pescara Abruzzo Airport (PSR) brought together regional leaders and industry representatives for the “Cargo Aereo in Decollo” forum, where they discussed the airport’s potential to become a key national and international cargo hub. Participants emphasized that innovation, efficient logistics, and sustainable solutions could significantly strengthen the airport’s position in the air freight system.

Global air cargo demand grew by 4.1% year-on-year in October 2025, up from 2.9% in September, IATA reported. The association notes that the slowdown in cargo turnover observed in recent months is ending, as the peak season traditionally occurs in the fourth quarter. The international segment increased by 4.8% and now accounts for 87.3% of global cargo turnover.