Turkish Airlines is set to strengthen its air cargo capacity after signing lease agreements with aircraft lessor AerCap for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between March and September 2027, adding long-haul cargo capacity to the airline’s freight operations. Under the agreement, both aircraft will undergo passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion at Etihad Engineering’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The facility will support AerCap’s efforts to serve customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), providing a regional base for aircraft conversion ahead of delivery. Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap, said the aircraft would provide Turkish Airlines with additional cargo capacity while offering the performance capabilities of the Boeing 777-300ERSF. He also highlighted the importance of the Abu Dhabi conversion facility in supporting the programme and strengthening the partnership between the companies. The Boeing 777-300ERSF, developed through the conversion of the passenger-configured 777-300ER, is designed to serve the long-haul air freight market. Passenger-to-freighter conversions enable airlines and lessors to repurpose existing aircraft for cargo operations, offering an alternative to acquiring factory-built freighters. For Turkish Airlines, the additional aircraft are expected to support its cargo network and provide greater capacity to serve international freight demand. The move also reflects the continuing role of converted widebody aircraft in helping cargo operators expand their fleets as global supply chains require reliable air freight connectivity. AerCap has been expanding its Boeing 777-300ERSF programme since delivering the first converted aircraft to launch customer Kalitta Air in September 2025. The lessor has subsequently delivered aircraft to Fly Meta and signed lease agreements for the type with Ethiopian Airlines and China Southern Group. The latest agreement adds Turkish Airlines to the growing group of operators planning to deploy the converted freighter. Financial terms and lease durations have not been disclosed. The planned deliveries in 2027 will mark another step in Turkish Airlines’ cargo fleet development, while highlighting the growing importance of aircraft leasing and passenger-to-freighter conversions in meeting the air cargo industry’s evolving capacity requirements. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!

GMR Airports Limited (GAL) has reported record air cargo volumes at Delhi and Hyderabad airports during the second quarter and first half of FY2026–27, supported by infrastructure expansion, stronger international partnerships and a strategic focus on cargo logistics. The company is strengthening its cargo business across its airport portfolio, with dedicated facilities and improved connectivity aimed at capturing growing freight demand. Delhi Airport Drives Cargo Growth Delhi International Airport recorded a 12% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput during the first half of FY2026–27, handling approximately 630,000 metric tonnes. Cargo revenue rose 15% to ₹2.8 billion during the six-month period, highlighting the segment’s growing contribution to airport earnings. Cargo operations accounted for around 14% of Delhi Airport’s non-aeronautical revenue in H1 FY27. The Delhi cargo business reported total income of ₹4,707 million, EBITDA of ₹1,364 million after revenue share, and profit before tax of ₹1,319 million during the first half. To expand its express freight capabilities, GMR Cargo and Logistics Limited has entered into a licence agreement with FedEx Express Transportation and Supply Chain Services (India) to operate a dedicated express cargo terminal at Cargo City within Delhi Airport. The development is expected to strengthen specialised handling capabilities and support time-sensitive shipments. Hyderabad Strengthens International Connectivity Hyderabad Airport also achieved its highest-ever cargo volumes, handling 52,000 metric tonnes in Q2 FY27 and approximately 102,000 metric tonnes during H1 FY27. Its cargo subsidiary reported first-half income of ₹1,679 million, EBITDA of ₹708 million and profit after tax of ₹445 million. The airport has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brussels Airport to strengthen air cargo connectivity between Hyderabad and Europe. The partnership is intended to facilitate more efficient trade lanes and expand international logistics opportunities for exporters and freight stakeholders. Hyderabad’s cargo business also received a favourable ruling from the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, allowing cargo, ground handling and fuel farm revenues to be treated as non-aeronautical revenues, according to the reported results. New Airports Expand Cargo Footprint Beyond its established hubs, GMR Airports is developing cargo operations at newer airports to broaden its logistics network. Bhogapuram Airport in Visakhapatnam, which commenced commercial operations on 17 August 2026, has been designed with an annual cargo handling capacity of 25,000 metric tonnes. Its cargo facilities were operationalised alongside the airport’s other commercial services. Cargo operations at Mopa Airport in Goa are also scaling up. While these newer facilities remain in the early stages of development, they provide scope for GMR to extend its cargo presence across additional regional markets. The company’s historical cargo growth rates stand at 4.1% at Hyderabad Airport, 3% at Delhi Airport and 2.8% at Nagpur Airport, reflecting the longer-term development of its cargo network. Cargo Emerges as a Strategic Growth Driver GMR Airports is positioning cargo as a key business segment alongside its core airport operations. Investments in specialised infrastructure, express freight handling and international partnerships are intended to improve operational efficiency, expand customer reach and strengthen revenue generation. With Delhi continuing to anchor cargo volumes and Hyderabad expanding its international reach, the company’s strategy combines capacity development at established gateways with the gradual operationalisation of newer facilities. The success of these initiatives will depend on sustained freight demand, efficient cargo handling and stronger connections with global trade networks. As air freight becomes increasingly important to time-sensitive supply chains, GMR Airports’ investments could help strengthen India’s airport cargo infrastructure and support the movement of goods across domestic and international markets. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

Finnair Cargo has launched its first Australian service on 25 October 2026, introducing a daily, year-round connection between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok. The new route expands the airline’s international cargo network, creating additional opportunities for freight movements between Europe, Australia and North America. However, the airline has imposed initial restrictions on temperature-sensitive shipments travelling across the complete route. Daily Connectivity Via Bangkok The new service operates using an Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, with cargo carried in the aircraft’s belly hold. Flight AY145 departs Helsinki shortly after midnight and reaches Melbourne the following morning, with a technical stop in Bangkok. The return service, AY146, departs Melbourne in the afternoon and travels via Bangkok before arriving in Helsinki the next morning. The aircraft offers approximately 23 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity, equivalent to around 95 cubic metres, although the actual capacity available on individual flights depends on operational requirements. The schedule is designed to facilitate connections with Finnair’s wider European network through Helsinki, including onward air and road freight services. Anna-Maria Kirchner, Head of Global Sales at Finnair Cargo, said the airline had received strong interest in the new connection. She highlighted its potential to strengthen trade between Australia and Europe while supporting businesses dependent on reliable, time-sensitive logistics. Temperature-Sensitive Cargo Restrictions At launch, Finnair Cargo will not accept pharmaceuticals, perishables and other temperature-sensitive shipments as through cargo between Helsinki and Melbourne in either direction. Such consignments may be accepted separately on the Helsinki–Bangkok and Bangkok–Melbourne sectors, subject to applicable handling requirements and acceptance conditions. The restrictions are part of the airline’s initial operational approach while it conducts temperature mapping across the new route. The assessment is intended to establish the temperature conditions experienced throughout the journey, including during the Bangkok stopover. Finnair Cargo will review the restrictions after completing the exercise. The limitations are particularly relevant to pharmaceutical logistics, temperature-controlled supply chains and Australian seasonal exports, including cherries, which the airline has identified as potential cargo opportunities. Broader Cargo Market Opportunities Beyond temperature-sensitive shipments, the service is expected to support a range of commodities, including general cargo, high-tech products, industrial components, automotive parts, fashion and design goods. Seafood and other perishables may also be considered, subject to the airline’s applicable acceptance conditions and handling requirements. The Melbourne route forms part of Finnair Cargo’s winter 2026–27 network expansion, connecting the Australian market with the carrier’s Helsinki hub and its established European destinations. The addition also provides freight forwarders and logistics providers with another routing option for shipments moving between the two regions. As the service develops, the outcome of the temperature-mapping exercise will be important in determining whether the airline can expand its acceptance of sensitive cargo across the entire journey. For now, the daily connection establishes a new air freight link between Europe and Australia, with cargo capacity and commodity acceptance governed by operational requirements and the restrictions in place at launch. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!

Cathay Cargo recorded a 14.2% year-on-year increase in cargo tonnage in September 2026, transporting 154,041 tonnes of freight as resilient demand from mainland China and Southeast Asia supported its performance. The Hong Kong-based carrier’s latest traffic figures indicate continued momentum in air freight ahead of the traditional year-end peak season. According to the Cathay Group’s September traffic report, available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), a measure of cargo capacity, increased by 5.3% year on year to approximately 1.344 billion. Revenue freight tonne kilometres (RFTKs), which measure freight carried over distance, rose by 8.6% to approximately 792 million. The cargo load factor improved by 1.8 percentage points to 58.9%, reflecting growth in freight traffic relative to available capacity. Cathay Cargo also operated 1,367 freighter flight sectors during the month, an increase of 4.8% compared with September 2025. For the January-September 2026 period, Cathay Cargo handled 1.324 million tonnes of freight, representing an 8.9% increase over the corresponding period last year. Available freight capacity grew by 3.3%, while revenue freight tonne kilometres increased by 4.7%. The cumulative cargo load factor reached 58.9%, up 0.8 percentage points year on year. The figures highlight sustained cargo demand, with tonnage growth outpacing the expansion in available freight capacity during both September and the first nine months of the year. Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Lavinia Lau, said demand remained resilient across mainland China and Southeast Asia. The carrier’s specialist cargo solutions also contributed to performance, with Cathay Priority maintaining momentum through time-critical shipments from Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, continued semiconductor flows supported demand for Cathay Expert, its specialised cargo offering. Cathay expects cargo demand to strengthen further as the industry approaches the traditional year-end peak season. The outlook is supported by anticipated market demand during the final quarter, when seasonal shipping requirements can increase pressure on air freight capacity and network operations. The latest performance reinforces the importance of Hong Kong as an international air cargo hub, connecting manufacturing and export markets across Asia with global destinations. For freight forwarders and shippers, sustained demand for semiconductor and time-sensitive shipments will make reliable capacity, specialised handling and predictable transit times important considerations in the coming months. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded a 6.3% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in September 2026, handling approximately 433,000 tonnes of freight as a sharp rise in transshipments and stronger import volumes supported its recovery. The growth followed year-on-year declines in July and August, highlighting renewed momentum at one of the world’s major air cargo hubs. According to provisional traffic statistics released by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), transshipment volumes surged 26.9% year-on-year, while imports increased 9.2%. Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland were the principal contributors to the expansion, offsetting weaker cargo flows on European trade lanes. Inbound freight recorded stronger growth than outbound shipments during the month. Unloaded cargo rose 14.6% year-on-year to approximately 126,000 tonnes, while loaded cargo increased 3.2% to around 306,000 tonnes. Cargo-related flight movements also climbed 3.9% to 6,515, compared with 6,270 in September 2025. The decline in European cargo volumes was attributed partly to the European Union’s removal of the customs duty exemption for low-value consignments in July 2026. The policy change has affected the movement of low-value e-commerce shipments into Europe, creating additional pressure on relevant trade flows. Despite fluctuations in monthly performance, HKIA maintained positive growth over the longer term. During January–September 2026, the airport handled approximately 3.78 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 3.1% increase compared with the corresponding period last year. For the financial year beginning in April, throughput reached 2.576 million tonnes, up 3% year-on-year. On a rolling 12-month basis, cargo volumes increased 3.3% to 5.18 million tonnes, while cargo flight movements rose 2.1% to 79,715. The September performance underscores the importance of intra-Asian trade and transshipment activity in sustaining Hong Kong’s air freight network. With stronger cargo flows from mainland China and Southeast Asia compensating for softness in Europe, HKIA’s latest figures reflect shifting trade patterns across the global air cargo market. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!