James Graham

London

Editor, Monthly Supplements at Air Cargo Week

Journalist neatly balancing wine website with developing a wider interest in the pressed grape.

Articles

Middle East and Africa airfreight: Shared growth drivers, similar challenges ahead

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

The Middle East and African airfreight markets, while geographically distinct, share several common factors in their current dynamics and face similar prospects moving forward. Both regions are experiencing robust demand driven by global trade realignments. The Middle East, particularly Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha, continues to act as a key transshipment point between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Qatar Airways Cargo thrives amid Middle East uncertainty with agility

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo and a seasoned industry expert, shares his insights on the current state of the Middle East cargo market, highlighting key trends, challenges and strategic responses. How has Qatar Airways Cargo navigated the current trading conditions in the Middle East, particularly in light of regional geopolitical developments and economic fluctuations? Our agility in adapting to shifting market conditions is what keeps us on top.
Can US commercial diplomacy in the Middle East reshape global airfreight?

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

President Trump’s recent Middle East visit signals a strategic pivot toward commercial diplomacy, emphasising economic over traditional diplomatic engagement. As Oscar Sardinas of ACW reports, this shift presents both significant opportunities and inherent risks. For air cargo leaders, the key lies in discerning substance from spectacle – monitoring which headline-grabbing agreements translate into real economic impact.
East Africa soars: Rwanda and Uganda invest big in air hubs

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

East Africa is rapidly advancing its aviation infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to enhance trade, connectivity and economic resilience. Among the region’s most high-profile projects is Rwanda’s $2 billion Bugesera International Airport, a transformative development aimed at positioning the country as a key aviation and logistics hub.
Ups and downs of start-up airlines

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

Since 2010, there have been a range of start-up air cargo airlines emerge across Africa and the Middle East, driven by the surge in e-commerce, regional trade integration and the need for resilient supply chains post-COVID-19. Here is an overview of notable entrants, their contexts and prospects in the coming years. The first air cargo airline in Nigeria, Aglow Air Cargo, initiated regulatory approvals in early 2023. It operates as an ad hoc cargo carrier throughout the West African region.
Royal Air Maroc’s Berrada champions African carriers, demands recognition

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

From award categories to strategy reports, African carriers are too often lumped into the same box as mega-hub Gulf airlines – carriers operating on different scales, with different challenges. The result? African airlines are sidelined in the very regions they work hardest to connect. Yassine Berrada, vice-president cargo at Royal Air Maroc is having none of this. He is putting his airline at the centre of African airfreight.
Why airfreight is class in Africa

1 week ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

The middle class in Africa has been a focal point of economic and social transformation across the continent in recent decades. As a group of people, they also feature in the planning of air cargo managers tasked with the business of flying in the high-end products this class cravesCharacterised by increased consumer spending, better education and greater political engagement, the African middle class represents both the aspirations and challenges of a rapidly developing region.
WestJet Cargo extends Jettainer contract

3 weeks ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

Jettainer remains the ULD partner of choice for WestJet Cargo in the coming years. The Canadian airline has extended the contract for the second time and is thus relying on both the continued support and innovative services of Jettainer when it comes to ULD management. Since 2015, Jettainer has been managing and maintaining a fleet of containers and pallets tailored to the airline’s needs.
Etihad Airways and SF Airlines ink cargo joint business agreement

3 weeks ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

Etihad Airways and SF Airlines, China’s leading air cargo carrier, have signed a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) to enhance their cargo operations, expand network capacity and offer customers greater flexibility and service options. The agreement was signed by Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, Etihad Airways and Li Sheng, vice president of SF Group and chairman of SF Airlines.
GEODIS awarded the GEEIS-SDG trophy for commitment to gender equality

3 weeks ago | aircargoweek.com | James Graham

On June 3, 2025, during the 30th anniversary of Arborus, GEODIS was awarded the GEEIS-SDG trophy for the project led by the GEODIS Women’s Network on financial education for women. This recognition highlights GEODIS’s concrete and lasting commitment to parity and diversity within its teams, notably through its internal network dedicated to professional equality.