LODD Autonomous and Astral Aviation have inked a new partnership aimed at accelerating drone-based cargo transport across Africa, marking a significant step toward addressing last-mile delivery challenges in some of the continent’s most remote regions, said Rashid Al Manai, CEO, LODD Autonomous. The collaboration will see the Hili, the UAE’s first hybrid heavy cargo Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL), introduced into African logistics networks, where demand for faster, more

Oman Air Cargo has expanded its global reach by signing five new General Sales Agent (GSA) partnerships, introducing two offline routes to Australia and Japan. The new offline routes will be handled by GSA Australia Cargo and World Prime Services, while three additional GSAs – Al Madinah Travel Company, MGH Logistics, and APG – will manage online routes to Kuwait, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline said the expansion reflects growing momentum for its cargo op

Emirates SkyCargo, working with the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at UAE University, has successfully transported Arab Satellite 813 from Al Ain to Shanghai, China. The satellite, designed to monitor Earth, climate, and the environment, was carefully moved from NSSTC’s facility to Dubai World Central before being flown on a Boeing 777 freighter. The operation involved strict environmental controls, high security, and precise coordination across multiple

LODD Autonomous’ Hili, the UAE’s first hybrid heavy cargo VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, successfully completed its first flight today, marking a milestone in the nation’s aviation and cargo sector. The historic flight was attended by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE (Ruler of Abu Dhabi); His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary

Saudi airports handled 866,000 tonnes of air cargo between January and September 2025, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The total includes 567,000 tonnes of origin-and-destination freight and 299,000 tonnes of transit cargo, underlining the Kingdom’s emergence as a logistics hub linking major global trade routes. Ahmed Al-Hassan, Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics, said Saudi aviation is “providing unprecedented investment opportunities

Etihad Cargo has received approval to transport Thermosafe’s Pegasus ULD, a temperature-controlled container designed for sensitive pharmaceutical and biotech shipments. The move strengthens the airline’s capacity to safely move time- and temperature-sensitive products around the world. Bourji Mourad, Director of Global Leasing & Market Development at ThermoSafe, said the collaboration ensures safe and efficient transport for sensitive products worldwide. With this approval,

TIACA   has crossed the 500-member mark, highlighting its expanding role in connecting and representing the global air cargo industry. Members now include airlines, airports, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, logistics providers, technology innovators, drone operators, suppliers, and government agencies from across the world. This milestone reflects the industry’s recognition of TIACA as a unifying voice for collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in air ca

Aramex has restarted its delivery services to Syria after a break of more than 10 years, marking an important step in reconnecting trade routes across the region. The first shipment reached Damascus in September, showing the company’s effort to rebuild links and support cross-border trade in the Levant. The move comes as Syria continues its recovery and businesses look for more reliable transport and delivery options. Hussam Al-Baraquoni, Vice President – MENAT, Aramex, said

FedEx Corp’s operations in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Sub-Saharan Africa (MEISA) are playing an increasingly vital role in regional trade and supply chains, according to the company’s latest Global Economic Impact Report for the financial year 2025. The report highlights that FedEx’s network contributed roughly $1.6 billion to the MEISA economy, combining direct and indirect effects. Its infrastructure connects local businesses to global markets, enabling faste

Emirates SkyCargo has upgraded its on-road fleet with 40 next-generation Euro 6 trucks from MAN, marking the first use of long-haul, heavy commercial Euro 6 vehicles in the Middle East. The move is expected to cut annual CO2 emissions from trucking by 17 per cent, as part of the airline’s broader push for fuel and emissions-saving initiatives in ground operations. The trucks will operate across the 77-kilometre corridor linking Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum Inter