EXTRANS GLOBAL - Air Freight News - Week 42 2025

1. Air Cargo General

1) Airbus Officially Launches Assembly & Production of A350F Freighters – Scheduled for Full-Scale Operation in H2 2027

Airbus announced that it has recently officially started the assembly and production of two A350F freighters. It plans to establish a full-scale mass production system after completing test flights between 2026 and 2027. The maximum payload of this aircraft model reaches 111 tons, with a range of 8,700 km.

In terms of fuselage dimensions: the standard A350-900 has a fuselage length of 66.8 meters, while the wide-body A350-1000 is 73.79 meters long. For engines, it is equipped with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, the same model used in the A350-1000.

It is reported that compared with existing aircraft models, this freighter can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40%. It is also equipped with a cargo door with an opening width of 4.3 meters – the largest among current freighters – which is known to deliver excellent loading efficiency.

Airbus stated that it will position the A350F as the "core aircraft for future air cargo transportation." Additionally, as of the end of August, the aircraft has received 65 orders from 11 airlines, and is expected to enter full-scale operation in the second half of 2027.

2) Delta Air Lines (DL) Cargo – to Introduce "All-In" Pricing Model Starting October

Delta Air Lines (DL) Cargo division announced that starting from October 1st, it will adjust the sales prices of export and domestic air cargo routes originating from the U.S. to an "all-in" pricing model.

However, additional charges such as screening fees, taxes, and surcharges will still be levied separately.

Regarding the reason for this pricing adjustment, the airline explained: "This measure is intended to provide better services to shippers and enhance price transparency, while also serving as an opportunity to help shippers optimize their budgets from the perspective of overall air logistics costs."

In the past, several airlines have attempted to introduce all-in pricing models multiple times to eliminate fuel surcharges and simplify sales prices, but these efforts failed due to opposition from shippers. A typical example is Emirates Airlines (EK), which introduced an all-in pricing model in 2017 but ultimately revoked it after just two years.

3) Air Cargo Rates Rose 1.9% WoW in the First Week of October – Surge in Shipments from China Due to Typhoon Aftermath

Global air cargo rates have returned to an upward trend. According to the TAC Index, in the week ending October 6th, the global Baltic Air Cargo Index (BAI00) rose by 1.9% week-on-week (WoW).

Although the index is still 4.2% lower than the same period last year, the concentrated handling of shipments from China that were delayed by Typhoon "Ragasa" has led to a noticeable recovery in rates.

Rates for air cargo originating from China showed mixed performance: rates on transatlantic (Europe) routes increased, while rates on transpacific (U.S.) routes fell slightly. Meanwhile, rates on routes from Northeast Asia to India, Australia, Mexico, and Spain rose simultaneously, partially alleviating the imbalance in rates across regions.

The Hong Kong-origin spot index (BAI Spot) surged at the start of the week as trading resumed after the typhoon, but declined again towards the end of the week. The composite index (BAI30) rose by 1.5% WoW and fell by 2.3% year-on-year (YoY).

Shanghai-origin rates also rose by 1.3% WoW and fell by 5.3% YoY, following a similar trend. In Southeast Asia, rates for shipments from Vietnam to Europe and the U.S. declined; while rates from Bangkok rose, they still remained significantly lower YoY due to the expansion of air cargo capacity this year.

However, in Northeast Asia, rates from different origins showed divergent trends: rates from Taiwan to Europe fell while those to the Americas rose; rates from Seoul to Europe rose while those to the Americas fell; rates from India to Europe rose while those to the Americas fell. YoY, rates on all routes remained at a low level.

4) As a Late Entrant, Parata Airlines’ A330 Can Fly 12,000 km Non-Stop

"If you can’t be the first, be different." (Loretta Lin)

"Targeting niche markets" is considered a basic strategy in marketing textbooks, but in practice, it is one of the most difficult and risky strategies. After all, a path that no one takes may "not be a path at all" in the first place – it is only possible if one is willing to bear the risk of failure.

There are already 9 airlines in South Korea. In the domestic aviation industry, which is described as "saturated," Parata Airlines – a new entrant this year – is precisely on this "breakthrough" path.

Although Parata Airlines traces its roots to Fly Gangwon (a low-cost carrier, LCC), it plans to upgrade its service quality to be close to that of full-service carriers (FSCs) and expand into long-haul routes.

Currently, Parata Airlines is accelerating preparations for long-haul operations, with the goal of launching international routes in November. The specific form of the in-seat entertainment (IFE) system is under review by relevant departments, and plans for providing services such as in-flight meals are also being studied. A Parata Airlines representative stated: "We are closely monitoring customer feedback through irregular flight operations, and we will review and improve in-seat facilities or guidance signs that may cause discomfort to some passengers before launching regular flights."

While many airlines are seeking opportunities, Parata Airlines is targeting the "middle ground between FSCs and LCCs" – the so-called "hybrid airline" positioning. Although Air Premia also pursues a similar concept, Parata Airlines is attempting to differentiate itself by offering more cost-effective services and strengthening its competitiveness in long-haul routes.

In addition, Jeju Air (focused on island routes), High Air, and Korean Express Air (both building regional airport networks) are also preparing for business breakthroughs.

As a "wind of restructuring" blows through the aviation market once again, South Korea’s aviation industry is likely to restructure into a competitive landscape of "one FSC plus multiple airlines with differentiated positioning." Against this backdrop, Parata Airlines – as a late entrant – seems to be fully prepared to "stand out by being different."

5) Airlines Movement

United Airlines (UA): Announced the launch of a new daily non-stop route between Incheon (ICN) and New York (Newark, EWR) starting September 4th, 2026.
ANA - Air Canada: Announced on September 15th the launch of code-sharing (joint operation) on Korea-Japan routes.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): Launched a new route between Incheon (ICN) and Copenhagen (CPH) on September 15th.
Martinair Cargo (MP): Starting October 28th, will operate 1 weekly cargo flight on the ICN - HKG - AMS route and 2 weekly non-stop cargo flights on the ICN - AMS route (aircraft model: B744).

Share this article :

top