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Lufthansa has resumed its Frankfurt-Riyadh passenger service, restoring additional belly-hold cargo capacity between Germany and Saudi Arabia amid strong demand for air freight. The airline restarted the route on September 10, 2026, with three weekly Airbus A340 services, with available cargo capacity reportedly fully utilised from the first day.
The renewed connection provides shippers with additional capacity between Frankfurt, one of Europe’s major air cargo gateways, and Riyadh, supporting the movement of time-sensitive and high-value shipments between Europe and Saudi Arabia. Lufthansa Cargo has highlighted the strong initial response from customers following the restoration of the service.
The resumption forms part of the Lufthansa Group’s gradual restoration of services to the Middle East following a comprehensive safety and security assessment. The group said it continues to monitor the regional security situation and remains in close contact with relevant authorities.
For the air cargo sector, the return of the Frankfurt–Riyadh service is particularly relevant because passenger aircraft belly capacity remains an important component of Lufthansa Cargo’s network. Lufthansa Cargo’s global offering combines dedicated Boeing 777F and Airbus A321F freighters with cargo capacity on passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa and its partners.
The strong cargo uptake on the resumed Riyadh service also highlights continued demand for reliable air freight connectivity to Saudi Arabia. The development comes as the Kingdom continues to strengthen its position as a major commercial and logistics market, while Riyadh expands its role as an important gateway for international trade.
The restored connection is expected to provide exporters, importers and logistics providers with greater network flexibility, while strengthening links between the European and Saudi markets. For Lufthansa Cargo, the early utilisation levels underline the importance of restored belly capacity in meeting customer requirements across key Middle Eastern trade lanes.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) is expanding its global freighter network for the 2026/27 winter season, adding Cairo in Egypt as a new dedicated cargo destination while strengthening capacity across key international markets. The winter schedule will run from October 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027. The new Cairo service will be operated by Air France using Boeing 777F freighters, with three flights per week. The service will establish a dedicated main-deck cargo connection between Europe and North Africa, providing capacity that operates independently of passenger flight schedules. The addition is expected to improve connectivity for freight moving between European markets and Egypt, while giving shippers greater access to the wider AFKLMP Cargo network through its Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol hubs. AFKLMP Cargo plans to serve 14 freighter destinations, 112 wide-body belly destinations worldwide and 54 European destinations during the winter season. The network will combine dedicated freighter capacity with wide-body and narrow-body belly operations, supported by intra-European trucking and interline partnerships. The carrier is also making changes to its Indian freighter operations. Air France Cargo will shift its freighter services from Mumbai Airport to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), with two weekly Boeing 777F flights planned during the winter schedule. The move adds a new dimension to AFKLMP Cargo’s India network as Navi Mumbai develops its international cargo operations. Meanwhile, KLM/Martinair will continue its Boeing 747 freighter network from Amsterdam to markets across the Americas, Africa and Asia. Services to Seoul will operate three times a week, comprising one standalone flight and two services combined with Hong Kong, increasing dedicated capacity on the Seoul route. Beyond freighter operations, AFKLMP Cargo will expand its wide-body belly network from Paris. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will be introduced with three weekly Boeing 777-300ER services from November, while Malé in the Maldives will receive two weekly Airbus A350-900 services from December. Seasonal services to Ottawa and Barbados will also return. Pierre-Olivier Bandet, Executive Vice President Cargo at Air France-KLM, said the winter period presents demanding requirements for customers, particularly during the year-end peak and the flower season ahead of Valentine’s Day. He added that the combination of dedicated main-deck capacity and extensive belly networks through Paris and Amsterdam would provide customers with greater flexibility and choice. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Cargo operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are facing a series of operational challenges as airlines transition freight services from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Industry stakeholders have raised concerns over cargo-handling capacity, manpower shortages, equipment availability, delays in customs processes and inadequate coordination, creating uncertainty for carriers ahead of the peak air-freight season. The concerns have intensified following the decision by Malta-based Challenge Group to temporarily suspend its Mumbai cargo operations. The carrier said the current operating environment at NMIA does not yet provide the reliability and certainty required to maintain its services. Challenge Group had shifted its freighter operations to NMIA following the mandatory transition from CSMIA. According to Challenge Group, cargo-handling bottlenecks have affected both inbound and outbound operations. The airline's Chief Commercial Officer Or Zak highlighted constraints involving dollies, cargo availability and warehouse processes. He said a substantial volume of inbound cargo was waiting on dollies, limiting the ability to offload arriving aircraft, while export shipments were at times not ready, incorrectly built or awaiting release. The resulting bottlenecks could leave freighters departing with significantly reduced loads or, in some cases, without cargo. Customs brokers have separately flagged serious delays at the NMIA cargo complex. The Brihanmumbai Customs Brokers’ Association (BCBA) has reported instances of flight-checking delays exceeding 72 hours, along with shortages of operational manpower, loaders, forklifts, trained equipment operators and supervisory personnel. The association has also raised concerns about delays in registration and Permanent Deposit account opening, which can hold up cargo clearance even after shipments are ready for customs processing. Cargo storage has emerged as another concern, with the BCBA reporting instances of import consignments, including heavy and high-value shipments, being exposed to rain. The association has called for better covered storage, stronger cargo-handling procedures, adequate staffing and equipment, and faster resolution of operational grievances. The timing of these challenges is particularly significant as air cargo volumes enter the traditional peak season. Industry bodies and freight forwarders have indicated that the problems are not isolated, pointing to recurring delays in flight checking, cargo handling and account registration since freighter operations began at NMIA. Despite the hurdles, NMIA remains strategically important for Mumbai’s long-term aviation and logistics ecosystem. Several international freighter operators have already operated flights to the airport, while incentives such as landing-fee discounts are being offered to strengthen international cargo connectivity. For NMIA to establish itself as a competitive air cargo hub, industry stakeholders say operational readiness will need to catch up with the airport’s infrastructure capacity, particularly across ground handling, warehousing, customs coordination and cargo-flow management. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Central Asia is strengthening its position as an emerging air cargo bridge between Asia and Europe, with airlines, airports, logistics providers and regulators increasingly focused on building stronger connections with China, Europe and the Middle East. The shift was a key theme at the Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit, held in Tashkent on September 30 and October 1, 2026, which brought together 340 representatives from across the aviation and logistics ecosystem. The region’s growing relevance is supported by a significant expansion in air cargo volumes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Central Asia’s air cargo volumes more than doubled between 2019 and 2024. Kazakhstan remained the region’s leading gateway, with volumes increasing 149% over the period, while Uzbekistan recorded even faster growth of 182%, supported by infrastructure investment. The summit highlighted that Central Asia’s ambitions are extending beyond simply adding aircraft capacity. Airlines and airports are increasingly looking at how airfreight can be integrated with road and rail networks to create more efficient multimodal corridors. Representatives from Silk Way West Airlines, Saudia Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding discussed opportunities to strengthen connections linking Central Asia with China, Europe, the Middle East and other major markets. Digitalisation and Standards Gain Importance Digital transformation emerged as another critical component of the region’s cargo development. An IATA roundtable brought together representatives from IATA, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways, Centrum Air/My Freighter and Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee to discuss international standards, certification, ONE Record, cargo connectivity and regulatory modernisation. For Central Asian markets seeking deeper integration with global supply chains, improved data exchange and greater alignment with international cargo standards could help reduce manual processes and improve shipment visibility. The summit also examined artificial intelligence, cargo terminal automation and cybersecurity as technologies that could support higher volumes and more efficient operations. Airports Compete for Eurasian Cargo Flows Tashkent, Almaty and Navoi are increasingly positioning themselves as important gateways within the emerging Eurasian cargo network. Tashkent Airport and Navoi International Airport presented their cargo development strategies and infrastructure plans at the summit, while an industry panel examined the competitive and complementary roles of regional airports. The discussions covered scheduled and charter services, ACMI operations, express logistics, GSSA services, digital platforms and airport infrastructure. Flexible capacity is expected to remain important as cargo flows evolve and airlines respond to changing demand across Eurasian trade lanes. E-Commerce Adds Momentum The expansion of cross-border e-commerce is also creating new opportunities for Central Asian air cargo. Perishables, high-value shipments and express consignments are generating demand for faster customs processes, specialised handling and reliable last-mile delivery. The summit also addressed workforce development, highlighting the need for skilled professionals as airlines, airports and logistics companies expand their operations. Training, recruitment and operational expertise will therefore remain critical alongside investment in terminals, aircraft and digital infrastructure. Central Asia’s air cargo proposition is consequently evolving from a transit-focused model towards a broader logistics ecosystem. With rising cargo volumes, new infrastructure, stronger multimodal connections and greater adoption of digital standards, the region is seeking to convert its geographic position between East and West into a sustainable competitive advantage. The next phase will depend on how effectively airlines, airports, customs authorities and logistics providers translate these investments and partnerships into new routes, efficient cargo handling and dependable Eurasian trade corridors. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
