Air cargo capacity between Ireland and the Middle East has increased after a new freighter service began operating between Dublin and Istanbul. Globe Air Cargo Ireland, part of ECS Group, has launched a second dedicated freighter flight with Turkish Cargo, doubling cargo capacity on the Dublin–Istanbul route. The new weekly service uses an Airbus A330-200F freighter with about 65 tonnes of capacity and operates every Tuesday. The additional freighter is expected to support gr

Freight forwarders in the UAE will be required to file the Mandatory Pre-Loading Cargo Information (MPCI) from April 1. The filing must be submitted before cargo leaves the port of origin and aims to improve supply chain safety and security. MPCI gives authorities early visibility of shipments, including details such as shipper, consignee, commodity, and HS codes. “This gives authorities the ability to run checks and follow up with forwarders or shipping lines if there are qu

Globe Air Cargo Türkiye and Air Transat have launched a new cargo route connecting Istanbul and Toronto, with the first flight taking off last December. The route introduces new trade opportunities between Türkiye, Canada, and the wider Middle East. The additional capacity allows businesses in the region to move goods more efficiently and reliably. Globe Air Cargo Türkiye is supporting the operation with full operational expertise and ensuring smooth handling from the start.

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) is introducing two new initiatives this quarter to support learning and nurture future leaders in the air cargo industry. The programs, the TIACA Reading Room and Future Thinkers, will be available on TIACA’s website. The Reading Room will be a digital library featuring books and publications from industry experts, academics, and researchers. It will include summaries, author profiles, and links to access each work. The goal is

Saudi Logistics Services Company (SAL) is acquiring a 100% stake in Belgium’s airport ground handling firm Aviapartner Liege for 123 million Saudi riyals ($32.8 million). The deal, signed with Aviapartner Belgium NV and Aviapartner Holding NV, will be fully cash-funded from SAL’s available resources. The acquisition is part of SAL’s international expansion strategy. By securing a presence at Liege, a key European cargo hub, the company aims to broaden its ground handling and

CargoTalk is media partner for the 25th edition of the Airport Show, set to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 12–14 May 2026. Airport construction projects in the MENA region are advancing rapidly, with 78.7% of the total pipeline value now in pre-execution or execution stages. Saudi Arabia holds the largest share at 42.5%, followed by the UAE at 26.8% and Bahrain at 7.6%, reflecting the region’s focus on expanding airport infrastructure to meet growing passenge

All freight imports into the UAE will require mandatory MPCI (Maritime Preload Cargo Information) filings starting April 1. NAFL (National Association of Freight and Logistics) is supporting forwarders to comply with the new rules. “Cargo manifests must be submitted before loading at origin, and UAE companies are fully liable for any mistakes or delays,” said Toby Edwards, Director, Trade Tech. Trade Tech is a global cargo security platform, is helping UAE companies with carg

The United Arab Emirates and Ecuador have officially signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to strengthen trade, investment, and regional economic ties. The agreement is expected to significantly enhance market access, eliminate or reduce customs duties on over 96% of traded goods, and create a stable framework for foreign investment. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached $373.6 million in 2025, up 3.2% from 2024 and more than three tim

Air cargo demand in the Middle East grew strongly at the start of 2026, rising 9.3% year-on-year in January, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Capacity also increased nearly 10% over the same period, the highest rise among all global regions, reflecting the region’s expanding role in global trade and logistics. The growth comes amid broader regional and global uncertainties, including trade policy changes and ongoing hostilities in parts of the

Egypt has mobilised three key ministries to keep trade moving as tensions rise in the Gulf following recent US strikes. The Ministries of Investment and Foreign Trade, Supply and Internal Trade, and Agriculture and Land Reclamation are coordinating to protect import and export flows, assess alternative shipping routes and fast-track procedures to prevent disruptions. Officials say contingency plans are already in place to redirect cargo and maintain stable supply lines. The m

Saudi Arabia is set to host its first transport logistic Middle East exhibition from 28–30 September 2026 at Riyadh Front 2. The event, organized by dmg events in partnership with Messe München, will bring together logistics, air cargo, and project cargo sectors under a single platform for networking and business opportunities. The launch comes as Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector experiences rapid growth. The country’s logistics market was valued at $136.3 billion in 2024 and

Sharjah Airport Authority is moving ahead with plans to expand cargo capacity, roll out advanced digital systems and strengthen trade links with key Asian markets as volumes continue to grow. The airport handled more than 204,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, up from about 195,000 tonnes in 2024, and is now focusing on scaling infrastructure, improving sea–air connectivity and speeding up cargo handling through automation and real-time tracking. The expansion drive includes closer

Air cargo volumes from the Middle East showed steady growth in mid-February, despite a global slowdown linked to Lunar New Year holidays in Asia. Chargeable weight from the Middle East & South Asia (MESA) peaked in early February, up 17% year-on-year, before softening slightly to +10% YoY in the week of 16–22 February. Traffic from hubs such as Dubai, India, and Bangladesh to Europe and the US remained strong, reflecting continued demand for regional exports. Spot rates from

Integrated Transport Centre has launched the first pilot project for autonomous trucks in Abu Dhabi, marking a regional milestone for logistics and freight transport. The initiative, implemented in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) aims to test AI-based truck operations along dedicated routes, improve freight efficiency, and evaluate readiness for commercial deployment in a controlled industrial environment. Acting Director General Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli said, “This pr

Dubai Customs has launched a Corporate Resilience Program to strengthen risk management, ensure business continuity and protect Dubai’s competitiveness as a global trade hub. The initiative aims to improve readiness for geopolitical shifts, fast-changing technologies and supply chain disruptions, while building a stronger institutional framework across all departments. Director General Abdulla Busenad said resilience is now critical for long-term performance. “Corporate resil

India-based retail technology firm Fynd has entered Saudi Arabia, targeting the Kingdom’s fast-growing e-commerce and logistics sector as retailers push to link stores, warehouses and online platforms more efficiently. “Retailers in Saudi Arabia want faster delivery and better control over their inventory,” said a Fynd spokesperson. “Our platform connects stores, warehouses and online channels in one system, helping businesses move products to customers more quickly.” The com

iHerb has opened a new 18,000 sqm fulfilment centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located in the Special Integrated Logistics Zone and operated by CJ Logistics. The climate-controlled facility will localise inventory, reduce delivery times and lower shipping costs for customers across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. “Opening a fulfillment center in Riyadh marks an important step in expanding our global footprint and deepening our presence in Saudi Arabia and the broader Mi

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group has signed a 50-year land lease with Galadari Brothers to develop a 150,000 sqm storage and distribution facility in KEZAD Al Ma’mourah. Galadari will invest AED75 million (around $20.4 million) in the project, which will focus on handling heavy machinery and industrial equipment. Mohammed Galadari, Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers, said the facility will “strengthen the logistics and supply chain networks that unde

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has signed an MoU with Keeta to improve food delivery and logistics in the emirate. The deal will enable data sharing, technical cooperation, and knowledge exchange to help track operations, delivery performance, and market trends in the food logistics sector. Lucas Xie, General Manager of Keeta UAE, said the agreement “connects real operational realities with better decision-making across the food delivery, transportat

Ambitious Air Mobility Group and LODD Autonomous have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development and potential acquisition of up to 50 Hili hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft. The plan is for 25 aircraft to operate in Europe and 25 in the UAE and Middle East, with experimental trials scheduled between Q4 2026 and Q4 2027. The aircraft is designed to carry payloads of up to 250 kg over distances of 700 km, targeting middle-mile and hub-to-hub cargo operations. Rashid Mattar