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Etihad Cargo has supported a five-year international wildlife rescue mission by transporting two rescued brown bears from Russia to their new home at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in County Donegal, highlighting the role of specialised air cargo operations in advancing animal welfare and conservation.
The bears, Bu, a former circus bear, and Tyapa, previously kept at a petting zoo, had spent years in unsuitable conditions in Dagestan, Russia. Their arrival in Ireland on 4 August 2026 marked a major milestone in the rescue effort led by Killian McLaughlin, Founder and Director of Wild Ireland, with more than 100 people across multiple countries contributing to the mission.
Etihad Cargo transported the bears from Moscow to Dublin via its Abu Dhabi hub, working alongside Abu Dhabi Airports and Velora to coordinate specialist handling and transit arrangements at Zayed International Airport. The operation drew on the carrier’s experience in live-animal transportation, supported by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) CEIV Live Animals certification, which recognises standards for animal handling, safety and welfare.
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad, said the mission demonstrated how the airline’s global network and operational expertise can contribute to wildlife conservation and animal welfare. He highlighted the collaboration between the participating organisations as central to giving the bears an opportunity for a better life.
Following their arrival, Bu and Tyapa moved into their new forest habitat at Wild Ireland in September, where they are showing encouraging signs of recovery and gradually adapting to their surroundings. McLaughlin said the successful relocation was the culmination of years of challenges and collective effort across national borders.
The rescue is also being documented by Abu Dhabi-based Moondance Productions, with a documentary chronicling the five-year mission expected to be released in 2027. Shane Brennan, CEO of Moondance Productions, described the collaboration between Wild Ireland, Etihad Cargo and international partners as a powerful example of what coordinated efforts can achieve for animal welfare.
Beyond the transportation itself, the mission underscores the importance of specialised cargo expertise, careful handling and cross-border coordination in moving vulnerable animals safely. For Etihad Cargo, the operation illustrates how its international network can support initiatives that extend beyond commercial logistics to wildlife protection and conservation.
IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), is strengthening its global air freight network for the 2026/27 winter season, introducing a new direct London Gatwick–Colombo service and increasing frequencies on key routes to Bangkok, Delhi and several other international destinations. Running from October 2026 through March 2027, the winter schedule is designed to expand cargo capacity and improve connectivity across major trade lanes linking Europe, Asia, North America and Latin America, giving freight forwarders greater flexibility in planning shipments. The new London Gatwick–Colombo service, launching on 23 October, will operate three times weekly. It is expected to support Sri Lankan exports including garments, perishables and rubber products, alongside tyres and automotive components moving through the international supply chain. The route will also provide onward connections through IAG Cargo’s wider network, including destinations across Europe and the Americas. Capacity is also increasing on established Asian routes. London Gatwick–Bangkok frequencies will double from three to six flights per week, while London Heathrow–Delhi services have increased from 14 to 21 flights weekly, effective September 2026. These additions strengthen connections between key Asian markets and the UK, supporting a wider range of cargo movements. Beyond Asia, IAG Cargo is expanding capacity across several other trade lanes. London Heathrow–Cape Town services will rise from seven to 19 flights per week, while London Heathrow–Bridgetown frequencies will double from seven to 14. Services between London Heathrow and Malé will increase from three to seven weekly flights. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Madrid–Santo Domingo will increase to 10 weekly widebody services, while the Madrid–San José route will gain capacity through the introduction of larger aircraft. The winter programme also includes the return of several services. London Heathrow–Dubai will resume with seven flights per week from 3 November, while the London Heathrow–Doha service resumed with seven weekly flights on 1 September. London Heathrow–San José is also scheduled to return with five flights per week. Across the Atlantic, IAG Cargo will continue serving 29 destinations in North America from London, Dublin, Madrid and Barcelona, maintaining extensive connectivity across key transatlantic trade lanes. Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo, said the winter schedule is focused on providing customers with the capacity and connectivity required across major global trade routes. He noted that the addition of Colombo, alongside increased services to Bangkok and Delhi, strengthens links between Asia and international markets while giving freight forwarders greater choice and flexibility. The expanded schedule reflects IAG Cargo’s focus on aligning capacity with demand across key international markets. By introducing new routes, increasing frequencies and deploying larger aircraft on selected services, the carrier is broadening shipment options and reinforcing connections across its global air freight network.
Air India has commenced construction of a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), to strengthen its in-house aircraft maintenance capabilities. The project is aimed at improving fleet availability, operational efficiency and the airline’s self-reliance in aircraft engineering and maintenance. Spread across nine acres, the multi-facility MRO hangar will be the first facility in Delhi designed to accommodate one widebody and one narrowbody aircraft simultaneously. The infrastructure will enable Air India to consolidate key engineering and maintenance activities at its largest hub, allowing closer operational oversight and more efficient coordination of technical services. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, along with senior executives from Air India and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), including P Balaji, Group Head - Governance, Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Affairs, Air India; Basil Kwauk, Chief Operations Officer, Air India; Jeremy Yew, Senior Vice President - Engineering & Maintenance, Air India; Manomay Rai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, DIAL; Vijay K Sharma, Vice President & Head - Aviation Services Business, DIAL; and Deepika Sharma, AGM - Aero Related, Commercial Aero, DIAL, among others. The new facility is expected to help reduce aircraft ground time by bringing inspections, cabin maintenance and defect rectification under one roof. Integrated engineering offices and an on-site spare parts warehouse will support streamlined workflows, improve access to critical components and reduce logistics costs associated with maintenance operations. A dedicated Cabin Shop will facilitate faster repairs to aircraft interiors, reducing dependence on third-party service providers and helping address cabin-related defects more efficiently. The facility will also enable quicker recovery of aircraft grounded by technical issues through direct access to engineering teams and spare parts, potentially minimising operational disruptions. These capabilities are particularly relevant as airlines seek to improve aircraft utilisation, maintain reliable schedules and manage the technical requirements of expanding fleets. The Delhi MRO hangar will feature a clear internal height of 25 metres and large column-free spans to accommodate next-generation aircraft. Its design incorporates stringent safety provisions, including advanced fire protection systems, while following Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Building norms to support energy and water conservation. The project aligns with Air India’s broader strategy to develop stronger in-house maintenance infrastructure and build a more integrated aviation engineering ecosystem in India. Greater control over maintenance activities can help the airline improve turnaround times, strengthen fleet reliability and reduce its dependence on external facilities for selected technical requirements. As construction progresses, the new hangar is expected to strengthen Delhi’s role in Air India’s maintenance network. The investment also reflects the growing importance of domestic MRO infrastructure in supporting India’s expanding aviation sector, improving operational resilience and developing specialised engineering capabilities. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
UPS has opened a new international air hub at Clark International Airport in the Philippines, backed by an investment of more than US$80 million. The facility is designed to strengthen global trade connectivity, expand parcel-processing capacity and improve delivery speeds across key international trade lanes. The development forms part of UPS’s broader strategy to reinforce its Asia-Pacific logistics network amid evolving trade patterns and growing demand for reliable, time-sensitive international shipments. UPS Clark Hub Expands Package Processing and Global Connectivity Spanning 30,000 square metres, the new facility is 15 times larger than the previous hub and can process an average of 46,000 packages daily, with a maximum throughput of 15,000 packages per hour. It is equipped to support specialised shipments for healthcare, high-tech and manufacturing customers, including consignments that require time-sensitive or temperature-controlled handling. The hub operates within UPS’s expanding international air network, with 170 weekly flight segments to and from Clark. These services connect businesses across Asia-Pacific, India, Europe and the United States, enabling shipments to reach some international destinations in as little as one business day. According to UPS, the expanded facility will improve services across more than 1,100 global trade lanes. Shipments to and from eastern China and other major Asia-Pacific markets could benefit from delivery times up to two days faster. Connections between several Southeast Asian markets and India are also expected to become faster, alongside improvements to services originating from or destined for the Philippines. Extended collection cut-off times and earlier deliveries are additional benefits for customers. Automation and Temperature-Controlled Handling Technology and specialised infrastructure form a central part of the new hub's operations. The facility incorporates an automated small-package sorting system capable of handling up to 9,000 packages weighing less than three kilograms per hour. This is intended to improve sorting efficiency and support the processing of high shipment volumes. For healthcare and other sensitive cargo, the hub features three refrigeration and freezer units operating across a temperature range of -20°C to 25°C, dedicated re-icing capabilities and UPS Premier radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. These systems are designed to support priority handling and improve shipment visibility for critical and temperature-sensitive consignments. The facility also incorporates electric ground-service equipment, including cargo tractors, belt loaders, cargo loaders, ground power units and forklifts. Its sustainability certification and building design aligned with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards reflect an emphasis on operational efficiency and environmental considerations. Investment Strengthens the Philippines' Logistics Infrastructure The investment has created nearly 600 jobs across operations, security, information technology, maintenance and other functions, with recruitment extending to communities in Pampanga and neighbouring areas. UPS established its first hub at Clark International Airport in 2002, making the new facility a significant expansion of its long-standing presence in the Philippines. Bernard Jiang, president of UPS Asia-Pacific, said the project forms part of a sustained investment strategy to strengthen the company's regional network and provide faster connections in response to growing trade flows. The Clark hub follows other recent UPS investments in Asia-Pacific, including the opening of a major logistics centre in Taiwan, construction of a new hub at Hong Kong International Airport and an expansion at Incheon Airport in South Korea. Together, these developments underline the company's focus on improving regional connectivity, service reliability and supply chain resilience as businesses navigate changing trade routes and increasingly complex logistics requirements. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
