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In the 100th anniversary year since the founding of the first Lufthansa its freight subsidiary, Lufthansa Cargo, is setting the course for sustainable growth in the coming decades and positioning the company for a successful future. 

To this end Lufthansa Cargo signed an agreement last Monday, 7 September 2026, to acquire 100% of LUG aircargo handling GmbH. The transaction is one of the key pillars of Lufthansa Cargo’s growth strategy and is intended to create the infrastructural foundation for future profitable growth and further strengthen the company’s competitiveness. With the planned acquisition, Lufthansa Cargo will gain immediately available, additional handling capacity within Germany. With that, the company's existing ground handling infrastructure, which is currently undergoing a fundamental modernization as part of the LCCevo program with a total investment of around 600 million Euros, will be complemented. This will enable the company to support future growth while continuing to provide high-quality and reliable services to its customers. The transaction will not result in any changes for the customers of either company, as LUG aircargo handling GmbH will continue to operate independently in the market following its acquisition by Lufthansa Cargo, preserving its established structures and customer relationships. The completion of the transaction is subject to the necessary antitrust and regulatory approvals.

“In an increasingly volatile market environment, we want to become more flexible, more efficient, and more resilient for our customers. That is why we are making targeted investments in our infrastructure in our home market in Germany to set the course to provide an even better offering for our customers and achieve profitable growth — this is a win-win situation for both companies. We will continue to stand for ‘Enabling Global Business’ for Germany as an export nation and across our entire global network,” says Frank Bauer, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Cargo.

LUG aircargo handling GmbH, which currently belongs to the Dettmer Group, is an established air cargo handler with many years of experience in handling a wide variety of cargo segments and approximately 400 employees. The company has approximately 50,000 m² of covered warehouse space in Germany, as well as an additional 18,000 m² of office and infrastructure space. LUG aircargo handling GmbH brings over 60 years of experience in air cargo handling to the table and counts major international airlines among its customers. The seller, the Dettmer Group, welcomes the planned transaction and believes the company is well-positioned for further growth under Lufthansa Cargo’s ownership.

Cathay Pacific and Google today announced a partnership to advance research on contrails and their contribution to aviation’s climate impact.

Cathay Pacific is Google’s first commercial airline partner in Asia-Pacific to trial its AI-powered contrail mitigation technology, and the first airline globally to test contrail avoidance on ultra-long-haul flights. The companies have started trials to evaluate the operational feasibility and constraints of contrail avoidance across Cathay Pacific’s extensive global network. The trials will contribute valuable new data to global contrail research and advance understanding of contrail formation and avoidance in the Asia-Pacific region, a geography that has been underrepresented in previous trials. The real-world data gathered through the trial would allow the industry to better understand the climate benefits of contrail avoidance in actual operational environments.

The thin white lines that sometimes form behind aircraft in the sky are known as contrails, or condensation trails. They are clouds that form when aircrafts fly through certain cold and humid conditions at high altitude. While many disappear quickly, some persist and spread into broader cloud formations that can trap heat in the atmosphere. Previous research suggests these persistent contrails could account for around one-third of aviation's total climate impact, making them an important area of study alongside carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Cathay recognises aviation’s contribution to climate change and is working towards addressing the climate impacts through multiple approaches. Reducing CO₂ emissions remains a primary focus for Cathay through fleet modernisation, operational efficiency improvements and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). At the same time, the airline recognises the importance of growing scientific understanding of non-CO₂ climate effects, including contrails. Through this partnership, Cathay Pacific and Google are supporting contrail research using real-world operational data from flight trials. The insights will help build further understanding of the impact and possible actions airlines can take against individual contrails, while exploring how contrail avoidance could be implemented and managed at scale across the aviation industry.

Google’s contrail mitigation solution combines AI-based predictive models, satellite imagery detection tools, and extensive weather intelligence to forecast contrail-forming zones. This actionable data allows flight dispatchers and pilots to make informed altitude adjustments navigating around these zones much like they routinely do to avoid turbulence.

Onboard, Cathay Pacific leverages its modernised fleet capabilities, combining in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity with its proprietary, in-house developed Electronic Flight Folder (EFF). The EFF system equips pilots with dynamic Google contrail forecasts alongside real-time operational parameters, enabling seamless decision-making in the cockpit without disrupting normal operations.

An operational trial began in late 2025, with more than 100 flights targeted across Cathay Pacific's network. Over 80 flights followed contrail-avoidance routes[1], and Google estimates that these flights achieved roughly 40% reduction in the warming impact of contrails.

The Hong Kong-Singapore corridor was one of the routes tested, as flights in this airspace frequently encounter conditions where persistent contrails form. Early analysis indicates that minor altitude adjustments can successfully prevent contrails, with actions taken on this single route accounting for more than 50% of the trial's total climate impact.

Lawrence Fong, Director Digital and IT, Cathay said: “Aviation needs solutions to address climate change, and AI is accelerating that progress. This partnership combines Cathay’s operational expertise with Google’s world-class AI capabilities to tackle complex sustainability challenges at scale. At Cathay, we believe innovation should deliver tangible and meaningful impact, and this collaboration sets a new benchmark for leadership in our industry."

Michael Yue, Managing Director and General Manager, Google Hong Kong said: “At Google, we believe AI has the power to help address complex environmental challenges and our partnership with Cathay Pacific is a prime example of this in action—researching how predictive AI can be deployed in live operations to help address the climate impact of contrails with today’s aircrafts and today’s fuel. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to developing sustainable solutions that deliver lasting impact, and we’re excited to expand our trial with Cathay Pacific and continue contributing to open climate science together.”

The initial trial provided valuable experience for integrating ​ predictive AI data in live flight planning to support contrail avoidance at flights level, while bringing together the operational and technical stakeholders needed to make such trials possible. While the partnership delivered encouraging results on individual flights, further trials and research are needed to assess the benefits of applying contrail avoidance measures across airlines and airspaces. The availability of such robust science evidence will enable further industry considerations and policy development by airlines, regulators, and other industry players.

Therefore, the partners are embarking on a larger second phase of flight trials to generate a broader set of real-world operational data and further insights across Cathay Pacific’s Asia and transpacific network. Contrails.org, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to advancing the science of contrail mitigation, is also a partner in the project. The ongoing partnership aims to generate a robust operational data set to further scientific understanding of contrail avoidance and help inform future industry best practices.

cargo-partner Slovenia is celebrating 30 years of operations.

Established in 1996 with a small office at Ljubljana Airport, the company has developed into one of Slovenia’s leading logistics providers and an important part of cargo-partner’s network in CEE.

Today, cargo-partner Slovenia employs more than 150 people and offers comprehensive air, sea, road, customs, and contract logistics services. Its operations include almost 50,000 m² of warehouse capacity, with key facilities in Ljubljana, Brnik, and Logatec.
 

cargo-partner Slovenia initially focused on airfreight before expanding into seafreight, road transport, customs, and warehousing. The opening of an office in Koper in 2002 strengthened the company’s connection to the Port of Koper and European markets. In 2013, cargo-partner launched its contract logistics activities and opened its first warehouse in Ljubljana.

A major milestone followed in 2019 with the opening of the iLogistics Center Ljubljana in Brnik. Initially covering 25,000 m², the facility has since been expanded to 39,100 m² and is one of the largest logistics centers in the cargo-partner network. In 2025, the Slovenian organization added further warehouse capacity in Logatec and opened a new customs office in Ljubljana.

Viktor Kastelic, Managing Director of cargo-partner Slovenia and Director Cluster CEE Adriatic, said: “Over the past 30 years, our success has been built on committed teams, trusted partnerships, and a strong focus on our customers. As part of the Nippon Express Group since 2024, we can combine our local expertise with global capabilities and continue developing reliable, innovative solutions in Slovenia and beyond.”

Otto Zsivkovits, Chief Commercial Officer at cargo-partner Group, added: “Slovenia is an important market for cargo-partner and the CEE region, thanks to its strategic location, the Port of Koper, and the strength of our local team. This anniversary reflects the strong foundation cargo-partner Slovenia has built for its next phase of growth within the Nippon Express Group.”

To mark the anniversary, cargo-partner Slovenia hosted a two-day event at the AMZS Safe Driving Center in Vransko for customers, business partners, employees, and their families. The program included practical driving and logistics-related activities, sports, entertainment, and family activities, highlighting the team spirit and collaboration that have shaped the company’s development.

Looking ahead, cargo-partner remains committed to strengthening its presence in Slovenia and the Adriatic region, combining local knowledge with global network capabilities to  deliver top-tier supply chain solutions to customers worldwide.

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced that its FedEx Incheon Gateway at Incheon International Airport has achieved the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certification.

This milestone brings FedEx’s total number of CEIV Pharma certifications across its global air hubs and cargo handling facilities to 30, reinforcing the company’s commitment to precision, quality, and excellence in transporting critical, temperature-sensitive shipments for the healthcare industry.

The IATA CEIV Pharma certification is a globally recognized standard for service excellence in the air transportation of pharmaceutical products. It ensures the safety, security, compliance, and efficiency of handling and transporting time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, such as biologics and clinical trials. The certification is awarded following a rigorous assessment of more than 280 criteria, covering pharmaceutical handling procedures, storage facilities, and equipment management practices.

FedEx Incheon Gateway is exceptionally equipped to handle temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. Spanning more than 23,000 square meters, the facility features a 120-square-meter temperature-controlled storage area with a 24/7 real-time monitoring system, alongside three dedicated chambers compliant with Good Distribution Practice to meet freezer, chiller, and controlled ambient requirements.

Korea is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in clinical trials and the biopharmaceutical industry, fueling strong demand for specialized cold‑chain logistics that safeguard the quality and integrity of life‑saving healthcare products. According to the Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT), Korea ranks among the world’s top 10 countries for clinical trial activity and is second in Asia for multinational clinical trials.[1]

“Achieving CEIV Pharma certification underscores our capability to deliver healthcare logistics services that meet the highest international standards,” said Wonbin Park, managing director of FedEx Korea. “We remain committed to providing safe, reliable end-to-end solutions that connect patients worldwide and empower the advancement of healthcare innovation.”

Customers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector need closed loop temperature-controlled services to preserve temperature integrity to ensure product efficacy. With decades of experience, FedEx provides expertise in customized solutions for clinical trial solutions, biologics and vaccines enabled by its robust International Express network, customized Time Critical Special Services (SpS), and a global network of Life Science Centers in Gimpo (Korea), Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), Mumbai (India), Memphis (United States), and Veldhoven (the Netherlands). The company’s extensive healthcare infrastructure also includes more than 130 cold-chain facilities worldwide, ensuring continuous temperature integrity for shipments moving through our domestic and international networks.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) (CPKC) said today it has set a new August monthly record for transporting Canadian grain and grain products, moving 2.54 million metric tonnes (MMT) and 26,051 carloads in August 2026, marking a strong start to the new crop year.

The new August achievement beat the previous tonnage and carload records set in August 2020.

The new August monthly record covers the first four weeks of the 2026-2027 crop year which began Aug. 1, 2026.

CPKC finished the 2025-2026 crop year setting a new annual record for transporting Canadian grain and grain products by moving 30.66  MMT during the 12-month period. The record annual volume exceeded the previous record set in the 2020–2021 crop year. The 2025-2026 crop year included monthly records set in January, February, April, May and June.

Across CPKC’s U.S. and Canada network, the railway also set a combined monthly tonnage record for grain movements in August, moving 4.86 MMT and 50,396 carloads.

On July 31, 2026, CPKC released its 2026-2027 Grain Service Outlook Report, outlining how it plans to provide grain customers industry-leading safe and reliable service throughout the upcoming crop year.

 

Following Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and partners will bring together Belgian and Indian policymakers and business leaders in Mumbai on 4 September to discuss the opportunities created by the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

The event is part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ambition to further develop its trade relations with India and consolidate its position as a key gateway for the growing cargo flows between India and Europe.

India is an important growth market for Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2025, the port handled 6.3 million tonnes of goods originating from or destined for India, making it the third-largest trade partner for breakbulk and the seventh-largest for containers. Port of Antwerp-Bruges has had a permanent presence in Mumbai since 2006, and this year is celebrating 20 years of operations there.

The collaboration goes beyond cargo flows. Through its subsidiaries, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and APEC–Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, Port of Antwerp-Bruges shares its expertise in areas including port management, digitalisation, nautical operations and sustainability. In addition, it is exploring investment opportunities and contributing to the further development of India's port and maritime sector through training and knowledge exchange.

With negotiations concluded in early 2026, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers new opportunities for growth. Once the agreement comes into force, import duties on a wide range of goods will be reduced or abolished, and simpler customs procedures will ensure frictionless trade. The European Commission estimates that exports of EU goods to India – worth nearly €49 billion in 2024 – could double by 2032. The sectors that stand to benefit – including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles and food – are closely aligned with Port of Antwerp-Bruges' cargo flows and industrial clusters.

How Belgium and India can capitalise on these growth opportunities will be the focus of the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which Port of Antwerp-Bruges is organising in Mumbai on 4 September in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, the FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade and the Consulate-General of Belgium. Prime Minister De Wever will hold talks with representatives of the Indian Government, including the Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, and the Hon’ble Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, as well as with representatives of the Belgian and Indian business communities. The event will follow his bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 September in New Delhi.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to turn the opportunities created by the free trade agreement into concrete trade, investment, and partnerships, further expanding its role as a logistics and industrial gateway between India and Europe. With that in mind, the port will return to India together with companies from the port community from 1 to 5 February 2027, as part of a multi-sector trade mission.

William Demoor, Chief Customer Relations Officer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges: "India has been a crucial trade partner for Port of Antwerp-Bruges for many years, and there is still a lot of potential. With our logistics and industrial clusters, our connectivity to the European hinterland, and our twenty-year presence in India, we have everything in place to support a significant part of that growth. We want to be the natural gateway to Europe for Indian companies, and the link to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for European companies.”

Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium and member of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges: "In a world where protectionism and economic dependencies are once again gaining ground, our country chooses reliable partners and trade that diversifies our supply chains. The free trade agreement between India and the EU gives concrete substance to that choice, but strong logistics connections are essential to turn those opportunities into reality. India is an important growth market for Belgian companies, while Belgium, with the second-largest port in Europe, offers a key gateway to the European market. Port of Antwerp-Bruges thus forms a crucial logistics bridge between India and Europe.”

Over 50 horses arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on 3 September, walking from their travel stalls calm and unhurried, ahead of the Asian debut of  CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld at Kai Tak Arena on 8 September and from 10 to 13 September 2026.

In 23 years and more than 30 cities, Apassionata World  has never staged the show outside Europe. Cathay Cargo, the event’s Official  Equine Transport Partner, was honoured to fly the cast in from Europe for the first  time.

CAVALLUNA blends equestrian artistry with dance, live music and theatrical  storytelling. Cathay Cargo’s Cathay Live Animal specialist teams orchestrated the  12-hour journey from Liège, Belgium, a central location with a well-equipped cargo  airport and stabling facilities, aboard a chartered Boeing 747 freighter. Eight  breeds travelled together, from Lusitanos and Friesians to mini-Shetland ponies,  each with its own temperament, handling requirements and feeding routine. 

Cathay Director Cargo Dominic Perret said: “CAVALLUNA’s equine performers are  at the heart of this production, and their journey to Hong Kong was an intricate  performance in its own right. We have carried horses for decades, from  racehorses to elite showjumpers, but transporting eight breeds on one aircraft  demanded even more from the team. Our role was to make the flight one of the  calmest parts of their tour, and every stage was carefully choreographed around  the horses’ wellbeing, with the grooms who know them best.” 

Apassionata World Horse Choreographer Siri Paratsch said: “Our equine  performers are of course the most crucial part of the show next to our riders,  dancers, and musicians, and each has individual needs. Cathay Cargo’s expertise  gave us confidence to bring the show beyond Europe for the first time.” 

As demand grows for live animal transport globally, Cathay Cargo’s Cathay Live  Animal solution brings specialist teams and equine experts together to deliver a  journey centred on comfort, care and wellbeing: A familiar cast: Professional grooms on board who understand the  horses’ personalities and routines travel with them, monitoring their  feeding, hydration and wellbeing, while maintaining continuous  communication with the flight deck. They work alongside flight crew and  ground-handling teams experienced in live animal carriage; A performance in perfect balance: International Air Transport  Association (IATA)-compliant travel stalls give proper ventilation, space  and safety. The main deck is kept within the 10 to 19 degrees Celsius  range set out in IATA’s Live Animals Regulations, as horses standing in  stalls generate considerable body heat. Where operationally appropriate,  gentler landing techniques reduce sudden movements that could  unsettle the horses; A calm transition backstage: Gentle handling, minimal waiting and slow speed tarmac transfers reduce noise, disturbance and unnecessary  movement between the aircraft and the horse handling platform at  Cathay Cargo Terminal. 

Cathay Cargo carries more than 1,000 horses every year, from racehorses to elite  showjumpers, and was the first carrier in Asia to achieve IATA's prestigious CEIV  Live Animals certification, bringing the same operational expertise to every live  animal shipment.



Swissport, the world’s leader in aviation services, and flynas, the Middle East's leading low-cost carrier, have entered into a long-term strategic commercial and financial partnership that represents a significant milestone for both companies and further strengthens Swissport's prominent position in airport ground services, air cargo handling and airport hospitality globally.

Under the agreement, Swissport Saudi Arabia will become flynas' exclusive ground handling partner for five years across its entire network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As part of the transaction, flynas will also acquire a 10% equity stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia, with an option to increase its shareholding to up to 20% in the future.

Following this agreement, Swissport’s share of Saudi Arabia’s ground handling market will reach approximately 40% of the total in the Kingdom, reinforcing its position as one of the key players contributing towards Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and aviation strategy.

"This partnership marks a major milestone for Swissport in Saudi Arabia," said Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International. "It significantly strengthens our scale and competitive position in the Middle East's largest and fastest-growing aviation market and reflects our long-term commitment to the success and continued development of the Kingdom's aviation sector. Our global track record in safety, operational excellence, digital transformation and workforce development provides the foundation required to support flynas’ expansion. By combining our operational expertise and technological capabilities with flynas's ambitious growth plans, we are building a long-term partnership that supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while delivering safe, reliable and high-quality aviation services to millions of passengers in the years ahead.”

Commenting on the agreement, Ayed Al Jeaid, Chairman of flynas, stated: "The unprecedented expansion of our fleet and destination network necessitates building an integrated services ecosystem that keeps pace with this growth and supports its sustainability. Our direct investment in the ground handling sector is a strategic extension of our operations. It maximizes our readiness to accommodate rapid operational growth, boosts efficiency, and bolsters flynas's ambitions to strengthen its regional and global leadership."

Hamad Alhemede, Chief Executive Officer of Swissport KSA, said: “Saudi Vision 2030 aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub by advancing the aviation sector and strengthening its competitiveness as a key pillar of economic diversification. flynas plays a pivotal role in supporting the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy. Having achieved one of the fastest growth trajectories among airlines in the region, flynas is entering its next phase of strategic growth. This partnership will serve as a key enabler of that journey, leveraging Swissport’s global expertise, advanced technologies and integrated solutions to support flynas’ ambitious expansion plans. What truly distinguishes this partnership is the strategic alignment between both companies. With flynas becoming a shareholder in Swissport Saudi Arabia, the relationship extends far beyond the traditional supplier to customer relationship, creating a long-term partnership built around shared ambitions and mutual growth.”

Bander Almohanna, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of flynas, said: "Our investment as a shareholder in Swissport Saudi Arabia reflects our conviction in the importance of building a deeper strategic relationship and a partnership based on aligned visions and joint investment in the future of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector. Swissport is a trusted strategic partner, and our choice of them aligns perfectly with our long-term growth plans, given the company's operational expertise as a global leader in aviation services and the integrated technologies and solutions it offers."

One of the fastest-growing airlines in the Middle East, flynas increased its capacity by more than 60% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting the exceptional momentum of Saudi Arabia's aviation sector. In 2025, the airline carried 15.8 million passengers, marking a 7% year-on-year increase. Supported by the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, flynas continues to drive tourism expansion, enhance connectivity, and contribute to Saudi Arabia's economic diversification.

In July 2026, flynas confirmed the purchase of five A330neo wide-body aircraft and 20 A321neo aircraft under its existing agreements with Airbus, bringing its confirmed Airbus orders to 235 aircraft out of a total orderbook of 280 aircraft, supporting the airline's growth and expansion plans in the coming years.
The partnership will substantially increase Swissport's operations in Saudi Arabia, strengthening its market presence and creating a solid platform for continued expansion.

This further underscores both companies' confidence in the continued growth of Saudi Arabia's aviation industry and their shared commitment to delivering operational excellence while supporting the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 objectives.w

Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and is rapidly establishing itself as the leading aviation hub in the Middle East. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is investing more than US$100 billion in aviation infrastructure and ecosystem development.

As Saudi Arabia's leading low-cost carrier, flynas has played a significant role in advancing these ambitions by expanding domestic and international connectivity, increasing access to air travel, and supporting the growth of leisure and business travel.

Against this backdrop, Swissport continues to expand its presence and capabilities across the Kingdom. Ten years after launching operations in Saudi Arabia, Swissport now employs more than 6,000 aviation professionals and serves customers at 20 airports across the Kingdom. The new partnership further strengthens Swissport's commitment to supporting the Kingdom's aviation transformation with world-class aviation services.

According to IATA, based on its latest available (2023) data, Saudi Arabia's aviation sector contributes around US$90.6 billion to the economy—equivalent to 8.5% of GDP—and supports more than 1.4 million jobs (*).
 
Swissport brings a proven record of safety leadership and operational excellence, supported by harmonized global standards, advanced training programs and continuous performance improvement. Safety remains at the core of Swissport’s operations, with robust management systems, data-driven insights and expertise enabling reliable and consistent service delivery across its worldwide network.

The company is also accelerating the technological transformation of aviation ground services through AI-enabled resource planning, advanced turnaround monitoring, robotics, and autonomous ground support equipment. These innovations enhance operational resilience, improve efficiency, strengthen safety performance and support the evolving needs of airline partners.

Developing Saudi Arabia’s talent is equally central to Swissport’s long-term strategy. Through Swissport Academy, the company provides structured learning pathways, training and leadership development programs that equip local aviation professionals with the skills required to support the country’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem.

United by a shared commitment to growth, innovation and operational excellence, flynas and Swissport are building a lasting strategic partnership that leverages global aviation expertise, local talent and advanced capabilities to deliver world-class services and support Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a leading global aviation hub.

Vega and Kuda, two specialist conservation dogs, transported by Emirates SkyCargo from London to Harare via Dubai in partnership with UK charity Dogs 4 Wildlife, have arrived safely and acclimatised to their new operational environment at Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.

The two Belgian Malinois dogs are now undergoing advanced integration training alongside park rangers. Since arriving in Zimbabwe, Vega and Kuda, part of the park’s first specialist conservation K9 team, have participated in more than 185 hours of practical training with six specialist K9 handlers. In just over a month, the dogs have completed more than 60 human-scent tracking exercises and have consistently demonstrated their capabilities to track illegal poaching activity. The first phase of the programme has also delivered tangible outcomes including the implementation of welfare and Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for the dogs providing a sustainable operating framework for the K9 unit.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “At Emirates SkyCargo, we believe that the protection of wildlife is a core responsibility and we are delighted to partner with Dogs 4 Wildlife to support their mission to protect endangered ecosystems. Transporting live animals by air requires the highest standards of safety, precision and care and we are proud to leverage Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class handling expertise and infrastructure to transport Vega and Kuda from the UK to Zimbabwe on our flights. We are sure that the dogs will make a strong contribution, working in the front lines protecting the wildlife of Matusadona National Park.”

Emirates SkyCargo is deeply committed to protecting wildlife and takes a zero-tolerance approach to illegal wildlife trafficking. The carrier has placed a total ban on the transportation of hunting trophies and has trained its global frontline teams to identify, report and respond to potential wildlife trafficking risks. Emirates is one of the founding signatories of the Buckingham Palace Declaration, working with United for Wildlife to contribute to the industry-wide efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, Emirates recently convened a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dubai focused on raising awareness of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and strengthening operational coordination across the aviation ecosystem. The interactive workshop brought together representatives from across the Emirates Group and key UAE authorities and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Airports, Al Ain Municipality and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Through real-world case studies and scenario-based discussions, participants examined approaches to early detection, escalation procedures, cross-entity coordination, animal welfare and biosecurity considerations. The initiative reinforces Emirates' commitment to enhancing industry collaboration, strengthening frontline preparedness, and supporting collective efforts to prevent wildlife trafficking through Dubai.
 

Lufthansa Cargo significantly improved its financial performance in the first half of 2026 compared with the previous year.

Revenue increased by 16 percent to EUR 1.92 billion (previous year: EUR 1.65 billion), while Adjusted EBIT rose by 47 percent to EUR 199 million (previous year: EUR 135 million). The Adjusted EBIT margin improved by 2.2 percentage points to 10.4 percent (previous year: 8.2 percent).

Available cargo capacity also continued to expand during the first half of the year. A total of 7.21 billion freight tonne-kilometers (+5 percent) was offered. Capacity growth was driven in particular by increased belly capacity, including the marketing of cargo capacity on ITA Airways flights compared to the previous year.

Demand also increased, with traffic volume rising by 5 percent to 4.6 billion freight tonne-kilometers compared with the first half of 2025. As a result, the average load factor improved slightly by 0.2 percentage points to 63.8 percent.

“Alongside sustained strong market demand and continued robust business performance in Asia, we have continued our BOLD MOVES growth strategy and shaped Lufthansa Cargo’s success in the first half of 2026”, said Gregor Schleussner, CFO and CHRO of Lufthansa Cargo. “At the same time, we recognize that the global air freight market continues to be shaped by volatility, geopolitical uncertainties, rising costs, constantly evolving customer expectations, dynamic market conditions, and increasing competitive pressure. Companies that want to succeed in the long term must be faster, more efficient, and more adaptable than their competitors. This is why we continue to work hard to create the foundation for Lufthansa Cargo’s next phase of development through our BOLD MOVES strategy. Our goal is clear: by 2030, we aim to return to the ranks of the world’s top three cargo airlines.”

Since the end of 2023, BOLD MOVES has been implemented with the objective of firmly re-establishing Lufthansa Cargo among the world’s top three leading cargo airlines by 2030, based on freight tonne-kilometers. During the first two quarters of the current financial year, Lufthansa Cargo achieved several important milestones to support its future-oriented development and sustainable growth.

With the on-schedule commissioning of the ALPHA construction phase at the end of June, Lufthansa Cargo officially inaugurated the first and most important stage of the transformation of its Frankfurt cargo hub into Europe’s most advanced air cargo center. LCCevo serves as the foundation for the gradual development of the Lufthansa Cargo Center into Europe’s most modern air cargo hub by 2030.

The project involves investments of approximately EUR 600 million and will significantly improve efficiency and handling capacity through highly automated material handling and conveyor systems, a fully automated high-bay warehouse, and dedicated storage facilities for temperature-sensitive cargo. With LCCevo, Lufthansa Cargo is strengthening the performance and future viability of its most important hub, enhancing its competitiveness in the global air freight market, and creating the conditions for continued profitable growth.

In the second quarter of 2026, Lufthansa Cargo also consolidated the activities of its former subsidiaries heyworld GmbH and CB Customs Broker GmbH under the newly established GlobeCross GmbH.

Through the new company, Lufthansa Cargo combines digital eCommerce logistics solutions with comprehensive customs expertise to provide customers with integrated end-to-end solutions for cross-border trade. The service portfolio includes digital customs services, eCommerce import terminals at key air cargo hubs, and fully integrated logistics solutions that seamlessly connect transportation, customs clearance, and final delivery.

With GlobeCross, Lufthansa Cargo is expanding its service offering beyond the traditional airport-to-airport business model, strengthening its position in the growing cross-border parcel logistics market, and creating additional growth opportunities through digital, scalable, and customer-centric logistics services.

The Port of Los Angeles will invest $4 million toward development of the Pacific Battleship Center’s Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion, a new waterfront destination adjacent to the Battleship USS IOWA that will provide space for events, education, veterans and community gatherings.

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the funding through a recent amendment to Battleship IOWA’s lease, supported through the Port’s Public Access Investment Plan (PAIP), which is funded entirely through Port revenues, with no tax-payer contributions.

“Battleship IOWA has become an important part of the LA Waterfront and a destination that connects people with our maritime history, our veterans and the Harbor community,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This $4 million investment will help the IOWA team build on its success and create another great place for people to gather, learn and experience the LA Waterfront.”

The Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion will feature a 17,500-square-foot building that will serve as a multipurpose venue accommodating up to 550 people with meeting rooms and other resource spaces. The surrounding park will include gathering spaces, memorials, and public art.  

The approximately $17 million project is being developed by Pacific Battleship Center, the non-profit organization that operates the Battleship USS IOWA. The initial phase will focus on completion of the pavilion building, followed by development of additional waterside features including Liberty Point and Freedom Plaza.

“This investment by the Port of Los Angeles is a tremendous vote of confidence in the Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion and what it can mean for our community,” said Jonathan Williams, President and CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center. “IOWA has always been about more than the ship herself. She is a place where veterans, students, families and visitors come together. With the Port’s partnership, we are expanding that mission to create an affordable waterfront gathering place for our community while welcoming visitors from around the world.”

The pavilion will address a need for larger event and gathering space in San Pedro, providing new convening space for community organizations and expanded capacity for educational, veterans and community programming.

The project has received broad community support and was prioritized for PAIP funding following a community input process in 2025.

Established in 2015, the Port’s PAIP provides a sustainable source of funding for public access projects throughout the LA Waterfront. The program dedicates 10% of the Port’s annual operating income to projects that enhance public access and create recreational, community and visitor-serving opportunities in San Pedro and Wilmington.

 
 
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