FlightGlobal
• Lizzie Rix
IATA reported a 7.7% year-on-year increase in global air cargo demand in September 2026, or 8.6% for international operations, even as passenger figures fell and higher jet fuel prices pressured profitability. Boeing forecasts cargo traffic will double by 2045, lifting the global freighter fleet to 4,010 aircraft; Middle East demand grew 3.8%.
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IATA reported a 7.7% year-on-year increase in global air cargo demand in September 2026, or 8.6% for international operations, even as passenger figures fell and higher jet fuel prices pressured profitability. Boeing forecasts cargo traffic will double by 2045, lifting the global freighter fleet to 4,010 aircraft; Middle East demand grew 3.8%.
Swiftair Hellas has added leased Saab 340A(F) capacity, expanding its freighter fleet in Greece. The available report does not specify the aircraft count, lease provider, or deployment plans, limiting visibility into the scale and commercial purpose of the addition.
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IndiGo posted 25.9% revenue growth in Q2 FY27 but recorded an INR 18.8 billion net loss, while Garuda Indonesia’s first-nine-month revenue rose 13.2% to $2.71 billion as its loss narrowed to $179.3 million. ANA cited solid international passenger and cargo demand, raised its full-year revenue forecast and held its profit guidance amid higher fuel prices.
Maxwell Aircraft has introduced the M1 Hybrid, a patent-pending amphibious design that uses electric propulsion for takeoff and climb, then fuel-powered engines for cruise. The company says the aircraft is intended for cargo and passenger transport, with a targeted payload of 2,000 pounds and range of 1,000 nautical miles.
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Turkish Airlines has signed lease agreements with AerCap for two 777-300ERSF freighters, converted from passenger aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to join the airline’s fleet in 2027, adding widebody cargo capacity through a conversion program developed with the lessor.
An industry assessment argues that an A330-900 freighter would be a good move, particularly given the fuel-price environment since January. The article frames Boeing as the alternative, but the available summary provides no details on the proposed aircraft’s economics, specifications or commercial prospects.
Romanian cargo operator ROMCargo has wet-leased two Boeing 747 freighters, according to ch-aviation. The report provides no details on the aircraft, lessor, contract duration or routes, leaving the scale and operational purpose of the capacity addition unclear.
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IATA reported 7.7% year-on-year growth in global air cargo tonne-kilometers in September 2026, while Asia-Pacific airlines carried 30.4 million international passengers, ending five months of declines. Separately, IndiGo CEO Willie Walsh said the carrier plans to grow revenue per passenger while retaining its low-cost model and expects its first A350s in 2028.
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