The global air cargo market in March 2026 experienced a 4.8% decline in demand compared to the previous year, amid a challenging geopolitical situation in the Middle East and seasonal factors. International cargo flows declined by 5.5%, while total industry capacity decreased by 4.7%. Meanwhile, the cargo load factor remained stable at 47.9%, indicating the market has partially adjusted to the decline in volumes.
For the first quarter of 2026, the Kühne+Nagel Group reported net revenue of CHF 5.6 billion, operating profit (EBIT) of CHF 343 million, and net income of CHF 248 million. The EBIT to gross profit ratio was 16%. The company notes that the efficiency improvement program launched in October 2025, which has enabled a sustained reduction in unit costs, significantly impacted the results.
Baltic Ground Services, an international ground handling and refuelling provider within the Avia Solutions Group, has strengthened its long-standing partnership with Wizz Air in the Baltics. The partnership covers aircraft refuelling services at Tallinn Airport, Vilnius Airport, Kaunas Airport, and Palanga Airport, where BGS provides operational support for the carrier’s flights.
Norwegian airport operator Avinor has unveiled a long-term development concept for Oslo Airport, aimed at addressing current infrastructure constraints. The focus is on the lack of aircraft parking spaces during peak hours and the rapid growth of the cargo sector. The modernization project aims to enable the airport to handle growing volumes of both passenger and cargo traffic.
Air cargo company Teleport announced the expansion of its network with the opening of a new European hub at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). The new route strengthens connectivity between Asia and key European markets, including Frankfurt and Amsterdam, and aims to improve the efficiency of cargo flows from China, India, and Southeast Asia.
Aviator Airport Alliance signed a multi-year ground handling agreement with China Southern Airlines at Helsinki Airport, following the launch of the new Beijing Daxin – Helsinki route. The carrier operated the inaugural flight on this route on March 29, and since then, Aviator has provided a full range of ground services.
Global air cargo demand grew by 11.2% year-on-year in February 2026, double the January figure, according to the International Air Transport Association. This growth was driven by strong shipments ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday and a recovery in traffic after a seasonal decline in late 2025. The international segment continued to outperform the overall market, with cross-border traffic volumes increasing by 11.6%, driven by robust demand on long-haul routes.
JD Airlines and Beijing Capital Airlines have expanded cargo air service between China and Central Europe by launching regular flights between Urumqi and Warsaw. These flights operate three times weekly and are aimed at strengthening direct logistics links between China and Poland, reducing delivery times, and increasing capacity on this route.
DHL Global Forwarding is expanding its controlled air capacity on the Asia-Europe route by launching weekly cargo flights on the Shanghai-Leipzig and Liège-Hong Kong routes. The new service is being implemented in close cooperation with DHL Express and aims to strengthen the group’s position in the rapidly growing trade corridor between the two regions, providing customers with additional capacity, speed, and supply chain stability.
AirExplore has signed a wet lease agreement with Polish charter airline Enter Air for the 2026 summer season. Under the contract, two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, each with a capacity of 189 seats, will be based in Katowice and operate flights to popular European holiday destinations from May 1 to October 31, 2026.
