Air Cargo News’ Top 10 most read in 2019

With 2020 already underway, the Air Cargo News team decided that now is an ideal moment to share our most popular stories from the past 12 months. Despite 2019 being a challenging – and at times, unpredictable – year, there were significant positives, as our list below shows.

So, which stories caught our readers’ attention in 2019?

1. 1. AirBridgeCargo and CargoLogicAir to cancel freighter connections
      In September, we shared the news that Volga-Dnepr Group subsidiary AirBridgeCargo Airlines and partner airline CargoLogicAir planned to cancel 11 freighter connections as a result of poor market conditions…
   2. Amazon reveals new B737 freighter aircraft
      In March, Amazon Air shared a photo of the B737-800 set to join its fleet. The aircraft featured blue livery and has a smaller capacity than the B767 models in the airline’s fleet, which led to speculation that it could be used in European services…
   3. FedEx to cut freighter capacity on weak outlook 
      In September, FedEx announced that it would speed up the retirement of all 20 of its MD-10-10 aircraft in response to weak macroeconomic conditions. FedEx chairman Fred Smith also said it was “highly likely” that the company would axe its remaining 10 A310 aircraft to exit that fleet type…
   4. Flexport switches freighter flights to new operator
      In July, freight forwarder Flexport switched its transpacific air charter operations from Western Global to a service run by Plus Logistics, a Nippon Cargo Airlines subsidiary, and Atlas Air. According to a spokesperson for the company, the switch was made without a single missed flight…
   5. First glimpse of latest Cargolux B747F 
      In April, Cargolux shared the first image of its latest Boeing 747 freighter – one of three aircraft that joined the fleet last year. The airline told Air Cargo News that the freighters would initially be used to expand capacity rather than replace leased aircraft…
   6. DSV Panalpina warns of job cuts during restructure
      Following the merger of powerhouses DSV and Panalpina in August, the prospect of job cuts arose when the organisation announced the relocation of its headquarters…
   7. EL AL confirms exit from B747 freighter operations
      In August, EL AL Israel Airlines ended its Boeing 747-400 freighter operations, which had run since April 2010, in favour of partnerships with ASL Airlines and AirBridgeCargo…
   8. Speculation over DSV Panalpina’s next takeover target 
      In November, investment bank Berenberg explored suitable companies that could next be acquired by DSV, following its merge with Panalpina in August. Berenberg looked at the potential for acquisitions – in particular forwarding companies with a strong road presence – and it identified three companies that could be potential targets…
   9. Amazon confirms move into B737-800 freighters with Southern Air CMI deal
      In March, Amazon Air announced that it would be moving into B737-800 freighter operations, with a potential for up to 20 aircraft. The news came after Atlas Air Worldwide confirmed that its subsidiary, Southern Air, would provide crew, maintenance and insurance services to Amazon for the B737 aircraft…
   10. DSV-Panalpina merger creates world’s second largest airfreight forwarder 
       In August, DSV completed its acquisition of Panalpina in a deal worth $5.5bn. The resulting company, DSV Panalpina, is now the second-largest airfreight forwarder (behind DHL)…