EXTRANS GLOBAL - Air Freight News - Week 44 2025

1. Air Cargo General

1) ANA-NCA Launch Code-Sharing on Long-Haul Cargo Routes

All Nippon Airways (ANA, NH) and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA, KZ) announced the launch of code-sharing on cargo flights between Japan and Europe/North America starting from the 26th.

Under the agreement, NCA will share its code on ANA’s 777F-operated routes from Narita (NRT) to Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX).Conversely, ANA will code-share on NCA’s 747F-operated routes: North America-bound routes connecting Narita to Chicago, New York (JFK), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Los Angeles; and Europe-bound routes linking Narita to Amsterdam (AMS), Milan (MXP), and Frankfurt (FRA).

The two airlines, which are part of the ANA Group, stated that the expanded code-sharing aims to supplement wide-body cargo capacity and enhance customer convenience.Through this collaboration, the ANA Group will establish a more efficient sales system for its combined fleet—ANA’s 6 B767Fs and 2 777Fs, plus NCA’s 8 747Fs—alongside its passenger flight network.

2) Parata Airlines to Launch First International Flights to Japan, Vietnam on November 17

Parata Airlines continues its aggressive expansion by confirming the launch of new international routes to Japan’s Narita and Vietnam’s Da Nang/Phu Quoc, just one month after starting domestic commercial operations.As a late entrant, the airline is quickly gaining a foothold through rapid fleet expansion, high load factors, and differentiated services, according to industry analysis.

Parata Airlines plans to operate 12 weekly flights to Narita, 7 weekly to Da Nang, and 4 weekly to Phu Quoc.

The airline began its journey as a new low-cost carrier (LCC) with the launch of its first domestic route (Yangyang-Jeju) on September 30. It then operated irregular Gimpo-Jeju flights starting October 2 to boost domestic brand awareness.

Notably, despite deploying large A330-200 aircraft, Parata has maintained an average load factor of nearly 90%. It also achieved no delays during the almost 10-day Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) golden holiday period—an encouraging sign as it smoothly enters the market with its goal of prioritizing “safety and punctuality.”

Rapid fleet expansion is another standout achievement. After introducing its first aircraft at the end of July, Parata added a second A330-200 on the 18th. Manufactured by Airbus, the A330-200 offers a comfortable in-flight environment comparable to full-service carriers (FSCs) and has a range of 13,000 km, enabling long-haul operations to North America.

Parata is also advancing the introduction of a fourth aircraft in November. A company representative stated: “We have already completed contracts for up to five aircraft. We are expanding routes to Japan and Southeast Asia, such as Osaka and Nha Trang, and plan to prepare for long-haul route expansion in the long term after next year.”

3) Hanjin Group Declares a New 100-Year Leap to Become a Global Logistics Leader

Marking its 80th anniversary, Hanjin Group reflected on its journey alongside South Korea’s logistics industry growth and announced a new leap toward becoming an “innovative company connecting the world.”

At a commemorative event held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan on the 23rd, Hanjin Group unveiled its sustainable growth strategy for the next 100 years through “VISION 2045” and outlined a blueprint to develop into a global comprehensive mobility group centered on aviation and logistics.

In his anniversary speech, Chairman Cho Won-tae of Hanjin Group said: “The history of Hanjin Group, which began as Hanjin Trading in 1945, embodies the meaning of ‘the advancement of the Korean people.’ Based on the ‘transportation for national service’ spirit of founder Chairman Cho Jung-hoon and the dedication of previous generations, Hanjin has pioneered new paths in logistics.”

Chairman Cho emphasized: “The love and trust of our customers have been Hanjin’s driving force. We will do our utmost to repay the public’s support and deliver joy to our customers.”

He added: “To ensure South Korea’s footsteps extend beyond the Korean Peninsula, Hanjin Group will play a responsible role on the global stage. We will grow into a logistics group loved by the world for 100 years and beyond.”

Hanjin Group also revealed its new vision slogan: “Moving the world to a better future.” To realize this, it presented seven core strategies:

Expand aerospace, mobility, and e-commerce businesses
Lead AI-based autonomous logistics technology (Logi-Tech)
Build space logistics solutions
Strengthen digital transformation
Expand related businesses such as tourism, hotels, and real estate
Increase investment in nurturing logistics professionals
Enhance ESG initiatives and social contribution

Additionally, Hanjin Group unveiled a new corporate identity (CI) on the same day. The new logo integrates Hanjin’s symbolic “H,” the English name “HANJIN GROUP,” and Korean Air’s Taegeuk mark, embodying the group’s unified identity and future-oriented image.

4) Global Air Cargo Market Rebounds Sharply After Asia’s “Golden Holidays” – China (+24%), Hong Kong (+22%), Taiwan (+24%), South Korea (+96%)

The global air cargo market has recovered rapidly following the end of major holidays in Asia, with volumes rising 6% week-on-week (WoW).

The rebound is mainly attributed to the resumption of large-scale shipments from Asia after China’s National Day (Golden Week) and South Korea/Taiwan’s Chuseok holidays.

Statistics show that global air cargo volumes, which fell 3% WoW in Week 41, rebounded by 6% in Week 42—representing a stronger recovery than the same period last year. In particular, shipments from the Asia-Pacific region surged 14% WoW, leading the overall recovery and exceeding the same period last year by 8%.

Driven by the recovery in Asia-origin demand, global average air cargo rates have returned to pre-holiday levels. The average rate in Week 42 rose 3% WoW to $2.48 per kg—slightly higher than the late September average ($2.45/kg) but 4% lower year-on-year (YoY).

Notably, rates from the Asia-Pacific region increased by 2%, driving the global average upward, supported by a higher proportion of high-yield cargo.Spot rates also rose 2% to $2.66 per kg but remained 3% lower YoY.

Breaking down by route:

Asia-Pacific to North America shipments soared 17% WoW, with sharp recoveries across most regions: China (+24%), Hong Kong (+22%), Taiwan (+24%), and South Korea (+96%). South Korea’s explosive rebound came after resuming operations post-Chuseok (October 5-8) and Hangeul Day (October 9).
Asia-origin to Europe shipments also increased by 14% WoW.

For China/Hong Kong (CN/HK)-origin routes:

Shipments to North America remained lower YoY, while those to Europe showed growth. This is analyzed as a result of Chinese e-commerce cargo shifting to Europe and other markets following the U.S. abolition of the de minimis tax exemption policy.

On the rate front:

Asia-to-North America spot rates, which fell 4% WoW in the previous week, rebounded by 7% in Week 42. All major origins posted gains: China (+19%), Japan (+16%), Taiwan (+7%), and South Korea (+6%).
China-to-North America spot rates surged to $4.90 per kg—the highest level since mid-April—reflecting importers’ pre-emptive shipping (frontloading) ahead of the U.S.’s planned additional tariffs on Chinese goods next month.

5) Airlines Movement

Parata Airlines (WE): Launched daily flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route starting October 26 (aircraft model: A330-200).
Air Canada (AC): Hosted a cargo customer event on October 31.
Delta Air Lines (DL): Held the “Cargo Night” customer event on October 31.

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