In the turbulence and uncertainty of the past 12 months, some new patterns have emerged, while certain old trends, tendencies and truths have been further highlighted, underlined and reinforced – or in some cases, left behind. Many of these are illustrated in the accounts of air cargo industry experts and senior stakeholders within the Outlook 2026 Report within this magazine (pages 4-49). Senior industry leaders from freight forwarding companies, carriers, airports, cargo handlers, technology specialists, associations, and other organisations describe their recent experiences and how they have responded to key changing market conditions and circumstances, and new trends and patterns. Emerging themes include the ever-increasing importance of resilience, responsiveness, visibility, and good data. Ai is mentioned frequently, and you will have your own experiences with this. New use cases within air cargo will continue to emerge this year, and air cargo will continue to play a key role in transporting the semiconductors and other technologies that support its development – and the wider supply chains of this and other verticals – as cargo owners and their logistics partners navigate complex and fast-changing tariff, trade, and competitive dynamics. Some of these trends are explored in further detail within the report on North America (page 50), where stakeholders have faced the sharp end of fast-changing tariff and trade rules. In the GSA Interviews section (pages 57-65), GSAs highlight how recent market changes have affected their businesses, and new trends in outsourcing airline cargo sales, services and operations – where closer partnerships and predictive data are particularly emphasised. And in the Technology Interview (page 68), CargoAI CEO Matt Petot outlines how innovation, automation, and Ai are steadily redefining how the industry operates. In the 'year of the wood snake' that we recently left, many companies and individuals have needed to shed old skins and past behaviours, expectations, and business practices, amid last year's extreme geopolitical and trade turbulence, and further advances in Ai. The 'year of the fire horse' seems sure to bring new dynamic challenges – and opportunities for those agile and versatile enough to respond positively to them. The next issue of CAAS will include a substantial article on 'Women in Air Cargo', based around the conclusion of IATA's 25by2025 initiative and interviews with a variety of women working at senior levels within air cargo and allied sectors. It was originally planned for this Spring edition, but I have rescheduled it in order to strengthen the article by including a wider diversity of voices. It will be part of a greater focus within CAAS on people issues within the sector, which will include topics such as training, recruitment, and diversity.

We're kicking off 2026 with a very special guest: Denis Duarte, VP of Cargo Development at Fraport. Dennis isn't just a powerhouse in the cargo world; he's also an old friend and a true industry visionary. We dive into his journey, the big leaps happening in air freight, and how Frankfurt Airport is gearing up to be a game-changer in e-commerce and digitalisation.

Join us as Denis shares his passion for building a next-level cargo community and what it means to shape the future of airport logistics. Whether you're in the industry or just curious about the behind-the-scenes magic of global cargo, this conversation is a must-listen. Thanks for tuning in!

In this episode, Chris is joined by Desiree Perez, Founder & MD of Desiree Perez Coaching & Consulting, from Florida. With nearly 20 years in aviation, Desiree shares powerful insights on leadership, people development, culture, and why so many organisations face the same challenges around engagement, turnover, and performance. We discuss generational shifts in the workforce, fear-based leadership, the importance of attitude over CVs, and how operations, strategy, and people must work together. Desiree also introduces Skypulse, an innovative platform designed to support recruitment, onboarding, frontline learning, and real-time employee engagement. A must-watch conversation for anyone passionate about leadership and the future of aviation.

A further raft of recent aircraft orders illustrates there is no let-up in airlines positioning themselves to meet long-term travel demand. To some extent it is a product of the timelines of manufacturer backlogs, which make securing fresh narrowbody capacity before the next decade challenging, and even more so for widebodies. But while the rationale for the bulk of orders is now around securing delivery slots into the 2030s, there was a nuance to some of the eye-catching deals unveiled during November's Dubai Airshow. Take Emirates' follow-on order for 65 more Boeing 777-9s. On the one hand this marks a timely recommitment to a much-delayed programme – Boeing having recently further pushed back first deliveries into 2027. But there is also a longer game. Emirates has not given up on persuading the manufacturer to build a larger version – backing a Boeing 'feasibility study' for a stretched 777-10. This would offer a future aircraft sized at least one step closer to the Airbus A380s, a backbone of its fleet today. By contrast the order from fellow UAE carrier Etihad Airways, which signed for Airbus A330-900s alongside a further batch of A350s, has a nearer-term focus. The airline's move for A330s was driven by a desire to get hold of aircraft sooner. It is working with Avolon to take delivery of some of these aircraft from 2027 – securing some of the nearest delivery slots available. For Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves the addition of the A330neos is not about a change in network strategy. Rather, he noted that the timing and performance will enable the carrier to release aircraft to other missions. But for most airlines, the driving factor of orders is repeat business and building out future deliveries to meet long-term growth. Kazakhstan airline group Air Astana, for example, having simplified its fleet almost entirely around A321neo jets and Boeing 787s, doubled down by placing follow-on commitments for both types in November to fuel growth in the next decade. What also remains clear is the geographic direction of travel. While all airlines are caught in the rush to secure slots, recent sizeable orders are skewed towards growth and emerging markets. A prime case is the Philippines, where flag carrier Philippine Airlines and low-cost unit Cebu Pacific are growing sharply, as the respective chief executives outlined at Routes World in October. Growth for both carriers will be further fuelled by a planned new hub airport for the country's capital Manila which could eventually handle 200 million passengers. The growth potential is underlined by Association of Asia Pacific Airilnes Director General Subhas Menon, who while flagging current challenges in the market, points to the strong fundamentals driving long-term growth in the region.

This extraordinary year continues to deliver new surprises for the air cargo sector and the world alike, particularly in the field of cross-border e-commerce logistics. As highlighted in our E-commerce Report on page 4, higher US tariffs and the end of US 'de minimis' exemptions have had a profound impact on e-commerce flows, prompting a significant shift in China-US freighter capacity to other markets globally. An initial steep decline in air freight volumes from China to the US has subsequently moderated, although it is still significant – especially from Hong Kong and southern China. Exports of low-value and e-commerce goods from China to Europe are up by around 60% – double the growth rate a year ago. Some European airports such as Budapest (BUD) have seen their overall air cargo volumes rise by close to 50% this year, although the rapid growth began even before US President Trump's interventions this year. Çelebi Group CEO Dave Dorner, in an interview on page 12, estimates that cargo through BUD has risen by around 200% in the last two years. As the Europe Report highlights (page 20), Europe's top 10 cargo airports have seen barely 1% growth in international air cargo traffic this year, whereas smaller, specialist cargo airports – often favoured by e-commerce shippers – have grown much more rapidly. Alongside BUD, Prague, Warsaw, Liège, Brussels, and East Midlands airports have reported significant rises in cargo traffic. Elsewhere, various cargo airports in Asia have recorded strong growth again this year, with southeast Asian countries including Vietnam and Thailand among those helping to replace China as sources for US imports. Another highlight in Asia is India, as the country's exports and air cargo capabilities continue to build. Those capabilities will include a new major airport for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region from the end of this year with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport (page 34). Its opening as 'complementary capacity' to BOM marks a key stage in the fulfilment of a dual-airport strategy for the region, and for India's air cargo market. The new airport is also less than 20km north of India's largest container port, JNPT, and there are ambitious plans to create synergies between these air and ocean nodes. Potential synergies between air and ocean freight are a recurring theme in this edition of CAAS, highlighted in the interview with Kale Logistics' CEO Amar More on page 28, along with the potential of Ai within air cargo. Both also featured among the discussions at October's ACHL conference in Copenhagen (page 46). But speakers at ACHL cautioned that the potential of Ai within air cargo was limited by the quality of the data that feed it, which must remain a priority focus area for stakeholders throughout the sector.

In this Unilode Series episode, host Chris Notter speaks with Ziaad Hussain, Vice President of Business Development at Unilode Aviation Solutions. Ziaad shares his journey from ground handling to global asset management, reflecting on the power of teamwork, consistency, and digital transformation. With genuine passion, he explains how Unilode's people, culture, and vision drive innovation and success across the aviation industry.

In this episode of the Unilode Series, host Chris Notter talks with Kiren Chheena , Director of Business Analytics, about how data and digital innovation are transforming aviation. Kieran explains how Unilode builds trust in data, enhances transparency, and turns analytics into real-world action for smarter, safer operations.

In this third episode of the Inside Unilode series, Chris Notter speaks with Steve Williams, Chief ESG & QHSC Officer, about how Unilode integrates quality assurance, safety, and sustainability across its global operations. Steve shares insights on maintaining industry-leading standards, improving ULD handling culture, and driving genuine sustainability that supports both safety and profitability in aviation.

The Winter 2025 issue of EVA Executive & VIP Aviation International provides a comprehensive look at advancements and business strategies across the private jet sector. Featured articles explain how CAE is modernizing aviation training with updated maintenance programs and data-driven pilot platforms like CORe to address industry shortages. Infrastructure development is highlighted through the Alliance Aviation Group, which is opening a new VIP terminal in Dublin and pioneering general aviation facilities in Saudi Arabia. The publication also explores Stratos Jet Charters' innovative franchise model for charter brokers, empowering independent agencies with operational support and proprietary technology. Furthermore, the content reviews the growing market for electric seaplanes in luxury travel and showcases PriestmanGoode's Private Sanctuary A350 concept, emphasizing customized wellness-focused cabin design. These reports, alongside updates on Gogo Galileo connectivity, illustrate a dynamic, forward-looking industry.

In this second episode of the Inside Unilode series, Station Manager Martin Davies joins host Chris Notter to discuss life behind the scenes at Unilode's London MRO facility. Martin shares his journey from cargo and military operations into aircraft unit load device (ULD) maintenance, the challenges of managing a 33,000 sq ft repair hub, and the importance of proper handling, storage, and training across the industry. From improving ULD care at Heathrow to fostering professional standards and staff motivation, this conversation highlights the unseen precision that keeps aviation logistics moving.