Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week
(Week 4 of October 2025)

The government shutdown, ongoing since October 1, is causing significant impacts on air travel and airport operations across the USA. There are rumors of a potential TSA strike, but union officials and Logan Airport representatives have debunked these rumors. TSA employees are required to work without pay, causing longer wait times and flight delays, especially in hub airports. Boston's Logan Airport reported 85 delayed and 7 cancelled flights, while Chicago O'Hare had 91 delays and 1 cancellation.

A fire ignited in the overhead luggage compartment of an Air China Airbus A321 due to an overheated power bank during a flight from Hangzhou to Seoul. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. No injuries were reported and passengers were transferred to another plane to Seoul. In a separate incident, a cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport, resulting in two fatalities. The affected runway has been closed while the airport's other runways remain operational.

A power bank caught fire on an IndiGo aircraft at Delhi Airport, causing a disruption in operations. The incident prompted an emergency evacuation of all passengers, who were safely evacuated with no injuries. Airport firefighters and emergency services responded to the incident. The affected aircraft was isolated, and the airport authorities managed the situation. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the incident disrupted flight operations at Delhi Airport.

The recent strikes have caused significant disruptions in Europe's ports, particularly in Antwerp and Rotterdam. Although the strikes have ended, the effects are still being felt with ongoing logistical challenges. The disruption continues to impact the flow of goods and port operations in these key locations.

There is a major disruption on train lines between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. Services have been cancelled or delayed by up to an hour after a person was hit by a train in the Southall area. Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express, and Great Western Railway are all affected.