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CMA CGM Group has launched a new Paris–Hanoi freighter service, reinforcing the growing strategic importance of Vietnam in global manufacturing and supply chain networks. The dedicated Boeing 777F operation connects Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, with a return routing via Navoiy, Uzbekistan, enhancing cargo connectivity between Southeast Asia and Europe.
The inaugural flight departed on May 9, marking another step in CMA CGM Air Cargo’s long-haul expansion strategy as shippers increasingly diversify sourcing and production activities beyond China. Vietnam has emerged as a critical export hub for electronics, textiles, footwear, industrial machinery and e-commerce products, driving sustained air cargo demand on Europe-bound trade lanes.
The new service is expected to provide supply chain planners and freight forwarders with additional capacity and greater schedule reliability at a time when manufacturers are seeking resilient and multimodal logistics solutions. Industry analysts note that Vietnam’s role in global supply chains has accelerated due to continued foreign direct investment, expanding manufacturing clusters and the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce.
By integrating Hanoi into its freighter network, CMA CGM is also strengthening its end-to-end logistics strategy, combining ocean shipping, air freight and inland transport services under a unified supply chain offering. The move aligns with the group’s broader ambition to become a fully integrated logistics player capable of offering agile transport solutions for high-value and time-sensitive cargo.
The routing through Navoiy further highlights the increasing importance of Central Asia as a transit and technical hub connecting Europe and Asia. The Uzbekistan stopover enables operational flexibility while supporting wider regional cargo connectivity.
The deployment of the Boeing 777F on the route underscores CMA CGM Air Cargo’s focus on long-range, high-capacity freighter operations. The aircraft is widely used in global air cargo networks for transporting high-volume industrial shipments, electronics and e-commerce cargo efficiently across intercontinental trade lanes.
As supply chains continue shifting toward Southeast Asia, the launch of the Paris–Hanoi service positions CMA CGM to capture growing trade flows between European consumption markets and Vietnam’s export-driven manufacturing economy. The added freighter capacity is likely to benefit exporters, logistics providers and multinational manufacturers seeking faster and more resilient cargo connectivity between Asia and Europe.
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Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) is intensifying its sustainability and cargo safety initiatives as global supply chains increasingly demand greener, more resilient and technology-enabled logistics infrastructure. According to Hactl’s annual Sustainability Report 2025, the company’s latest investments in intelligent cargo screening, autonomous electric vehicles and sustainable terminal operations signal a broader transformation of air cargo handling from a traditional warehouse function into a critical supply chain resilience strategy. At the centre of Hactl’s latest move is the Phase 2 rollout of its intelligent cargo thermal detection system at SuperTerminal 1 in Hong Kong. The enhanced system now scans cargo during acceptance as well as prior to aircraft loading, creating what the company calls a “double layer” of protection against high-risk shipments such as lithium batteries. The technology combines thermal imaging, artificial intelligence, data analytics and fluid mechanics to detect abnormal temperatures in real time and trigger alerts before incidents escalate. For global supply chains, the implications are significant. Lithium battery shipments continue to rise sharply due to booming electric vehicle, electronics and e-commerce sectors. However, battery-related fires remain one of the biggest operational risks in air freight logistics. By investing in predictive monitoring and dedicated storage infrastructure, Hactl aims to reduce disruption risks across the cargo chain while improving reliability for airlines, freight forwarders and shippers. Hactl’s sustainability strategy extends well beyond cargo safety. Under its Green Terminal Programme, the company has committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent by 2030 against a 2018 baseline. The company has already deployed renewable diesel initiatives, energy-efficient lighting systems, digitalisation projects and terminal-wide waste reduction programmes as part of its decarbonisation roadmap. Automation is also emerging as a major pillar of Hactl’s supply chain strategy. The company recently introduced Autonomous Electric Tractors (AETs) for ramp operations at Hong Kong International Airport. The vehicles, equipped with LiDAR sensors, HD cameras and AI-powered navigation systems, are designed to improve operational efficiency while reducing emissions and labour dependency in airport logistics. Industry analysts note that sustainability in air cargo is no longer limited to carbon reduction alone. Supply chains today require terminals that can simultaneously deliver operational continuity, cargo integrity, digital visibility and regulatory compliance. Hactl’s integrated approach reflects this shift, particularly as pharmaceutical cargo, perishables, lithium batteries and cross-border e-commerce place greater pressure on air logistics infrastructure. The company’s long-term strategy aligns with Hong Kong’s broader ambition to reinforce its position as a leading global air cargo hub amid intensifying regional competition. Investments in multimodal logistics connectivity, automation and green infrastructure are expected to strengthen Hong Kong’s role in Asia-Pacific supply chains over the coming decade. As supply chains become increasingly time-sensitive and sustainability-driven, Hactl’s latest initiatives highlight how cargo terminal operators are evolving into strategic enablers of secure, resilient and environmentally responsible global trade. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://cargoconnect.co.in/ for latest news!
Emirates SkyCargo strengthened its position in the global air freight market during fiscal year 2025-26, supported by strategic freighter additions, network expansion, and resilient cargo demand across key trade lanes. The cargo division emerged as a major contributor to the Emirates Group’s record financial performance, reflecting the growing importance of air cargo in global supply chains. The Emirates Group reported a record profit before tax of AED 24.4 billion (US$6.6 billion) for FY2025-26, while revenues rose 3% year-on-year to AED 150.5 billion. Emirates airline alone generated AED 130.9 billion in revenue and retained its position as the world’s most profitable airline. Cargo operations played a significant role in this growth trajectory. Emirates SkyCargo transported approximately 2.4 million tonnes of cargo during the fiscal year and generated AED 16.2 billion in revenue, according to regional business reports. The carrier benefited from additional freighter capacity introduced over the past year as it responded to sustained e-commerce demand, pharmaceutical shipments, perishables trade, and manufacturing recovery across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline continued investing heavily in fleet and logistics infrastructure to strengthen its cargo capabilities. Emirates Group invested AED 17.9 billion (US$4.9 billion) during FY2025-26 in aircraft, equipment, technology, and facilities to support long-term growth plans. Industry analysts note that the addition of Boeing 777 freighters and leased cargo aircraft enabled Emirates SkyCargo to improve schedule flexibility and capacity deployment across high-demand international routes. The expansion comes at a time when global air cargo markets are stabilising after several years of disruption. Rising cross-border e-commerce volumes and increasing demand for time-sensitive shipments continue to support premium air freight services. Emirates SkyCargo has also expanded specialised logistics offerings for pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, and temperature-sensitive cargo, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a global logistics hub. Despite geopolitical tensions and operational disruptions in the final month of the financial year, Emirates maintained strong cargo and passenger demand. Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum highlighted the resilience of the company’s business model and its continued investments in innovation, people, and infrastructure. With additional freighters expected to join its fleet over the next few years, Emirates SkyCargo is positioning itself for further expansion as global supply chains increasingly prioritise speed, reliability, and network connectivity.
With the opening of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in late May, air passengers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will soon face a crucial choice—whether to fly from the new facility or continue using the existing Mumbai airport. However, within a decade, this decision will become less relevant as the new airport is set to become the region’s primary hub. By the early 2030s, Navi Mumbai airport is expected to take over the bulk of flight operations in the MMR, relegating Mumbai airport to a secondary role. In the immediate term, Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 (T1) at Santacruz (East) is set to cease operations, affecting approximately 15 million annual passengers. Of these, 10 million will be accommodated at Navi Mumbai airport’s T1, while the remaining five million will move to Terminal 2 (T2) at Sahar. As part of this transition, Mumbai T2’s passenger capacity will be increased from 40 million to 45 million. This shift is expected to ease congestion at the heavily burdened Mumbai airport, improving air traffic flow and reducing waiting times for arrivals and departures. Most general aviation services, including private jets and chartered aircraft, are also set to move to NMIA. Globally, major metropolitan regions operate with multiple airports, with one acting as the primary hub and others supporting regional and domestic operations. London, for instance, has Heathrow as its main airport, with Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton functioning as secondaries. Similarly, in New York, John F. Kennedy Airport serves as the primary gateway, while Newark and LaGuardia cater to additional air traffic. Following this global model, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is preparing for a structured redistribution of air travel demand, where Navi Mumbai will take precedence, and Mumbai airport will eventually serve as a supporting facility. Currently, Mumbai airport manages 55 million passengers annually, making it India’s second busiest after Delhi. As NMIA starts handling 10 million passengers in its first year and expands to 20 million by mid-2026, its trajectory will reshape the region’s aviation landscape. The first terminal at NMIA has a capacity of 20 million passengers per annum (PPA) and is expected to reach full capacity in record time. A second terminal, with a handling capacity of 30 million PPA, is scheduled to be ready by 2029. Mumbai T2 and NMIA T1 will undergo phased expansions between 2026 and 2029 to accommodate demand surges. NMIA is designed for continuous expansion, with successive infrastructure developments over the next decade. Eventually, it will surpass Mumbai airport, featuring parallel runways and multiple terminal buildings to accommodate future passenger growth. By 2032, with the commissioning of Terminal 3 and Terminal 4, NMIA’s handling capacity will reach 90 million passengers per year, solidifying its status as the region’s dominant airport. Comparatively, Mumbai airport, constrained by spatial limitations and urban encroachment, will be unable to match this scale and will settle into the role of a secondary airport. BVJK Sharma, CEO of Navi Mumbai International Airport, expressed confidence in NMIA’s ability to revolutionise the region’s air travel. “The Navi Mumbai airport is well supported by multimodal connectivity, and we are confident in meeting MMR’s ever-increasing demand. I am positive that the airport will contribute greatly to the region’s and country’s growth,” he stated. Despite these developments, NMIA’s rise will not be enough to help MMR regain its former dominance in India’s aviation sector. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, already India’s busiest, is set to expand further, ensuring the National Capital Region remains the country’s leading aviation hub. With Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports projected to handle a combined 100 million passengers per year by 2032, MMR will remain a critical aviation centre but will lag behind Delhi in total air traffic volume. Source: The Times of India
