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Samsung SDS expands in air cargo with Woojung Air deal

Samsung SDS - the IT solutions and logistics arm of Samsung - is expanding its presence in air cargo through the acquisition of Korean airfreight consolidator Woojung Air Consolidation. Local media report that Samsung SDS today announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Woojung Air, which was established in 1999. The company is based at Incheon Airport and offers consolidation, booking, loading, customs clearance, regulated agent services and real-time tracking, as well as a logistics centre at the Incheon free trade zone. The company's digital logistics services are offered through its i Nomad platform. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The two companies are no strangers and in 2022 they signed a memorandum of understanding to incorporate Woojung Air's specialised air logistics services, such as real-time freight location tracking and freight charge information, on Samsung SDS' digital logistics platform Cello Square. Through the co-operation, users of Samsung SDS Cello Square are able to check the entire process of airfreight transportation through the data provided by Woojung Air, including cargo arrival, airport clearance procedure, aircraft loading, arrival at destination airport, unloading and storage at destination warehouse. In addition, Samsung SDS and Woojung Air aimed to jointly develop international air logistics services that can help boost the sales of Korean e-commerce sellers in global markets, including the US, Japan, Australia, and Brazil.

Cirium predicts nearly 750 new freighters in next 20 years

The latest Cirium Fleet Forecast has predicted the delivery of around 747 new freighter aircraft to customers over the next 20 years. According to the executive summary of the forecast covering 2026-2045, there will be an overall projected annual growth rate of 2% for the global freighter fleet, This is compared to an estimated 2.5% growth rate in the 2025-2044 Cirium Fleet Forecast. At a time when there is high demand for widebody freighter capacity, Cirium noted that obstacles to aircraft production include supply chain bottlenecks, engine availability, extended certification timelines, cost pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. The aviation analytics company said that these factors are "collectively limiting the pace at which capacity can be added". Looking at the vertical drivers for air cargo growth, Cirium said that e-commerce, high-value goods, time-sensitive logistics and special cargo are all fuelling demand. Though, aside from capacity constraints, the company highlighted obstacles such as high fuel prices. "The cargo outlook remains influenced by a different combination of drivers. E-commerce, high-value goods, time-sensitive logistics and special cargo continue to support dedicated freighter demand, while the economics of the sector remain exposed to fuel prices, international trade flows and the availability of belly-hold capacity," it said. "At the same time, supply-chain clusters are being reshaped to reflect an increasingly multipolar world, while more restrictive trade policies are altering established trade flows and creating new patterns of sourcing, production and distribution." Stephen Burnside, global head of Cirium Ascend Consultancy, said: "The 2026 Cirium Fleet Forecast shows that long-term aircraft demand remains strong, but the pace of growth increasingly depends on the industry's ability to deliver. Supply chain resilience, engine availability and scalable production will be critical to meeting demand from airlines as they seek to expand their networks and replace ageing fleets."

Texel Air Australasia adds 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter

Cargo airline Texel Air Australasia has added a 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to support continued growth in New Zealand, where the company sees strong demand for freighter capacity. The aircraft, named Florence and registered ZK-TXH, will initially operate on charter services to connect New Zealand's main freight hubs with regional destinations and provide greater flexibility to move goods overseas. The delivery of Florence follows the arrival of Karen, Texel's second 737- 800BCF in New Zealand, in August. Texel's New Zealand-based fleet now comprises three aircraft, while the wider Australasian fleet comprises seven aircraft in total. The Texel Air Group said that with this delivery, it now operates 10 737-800BCFs globally and has 12 Boeing 737 aircraft in total, with five based in Bahrain and seven in Australasia. Texel Air founder and chairman John Chisholm said: "Having an additional aircraft based in New Zealand gives us greater flexibility to respond to the needs of businesses, whether that's moving time-sensitive freight, supporting specialist charter requirements or connecting communities and businesses that rely on air freight." The aircraft is the 200th 737-800BCF delivered worldwide and the milestone was celebrated at a special event at Auckland Airport attended by representatives from Boeing, BBAM, Auckland Airport, customers, suppliers, industry partners, plus members of the Texel Air Group team. Guests heard from Chisholm, who reflected on the company's growth and long-term commitment to the New Zealand market. A team of Boeing specialists converted the 737-800BCF at a Boeing facility by removing the interior, reinforcing the floors and installing a cargo loading system. A wide cargo door was installed to ease the loading and unloading of the aircraft. The conversion adds over 20 years to the aircraft's lifespan, said Boeing. "The 200th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is an important milestone, and we're pleased to celebrate it with long-standing partners, Texel Air," said Lindsey Douglas, vice president, cabin, modifications, maintenance and digital services at Boeing. "By growing its New Zealand-based Australasian fleet to seven 737-800BCFs, Texel Air is demonstrating the freighter's versatility and reliability in supporting expanding exports and trade across the region," she said. Texel Air Australasia was set up in 2023 by Bahrain-based Texel Air, which was established in 2013 by Chisholm Enterprises.