Weekly Logistics Briefing Key logistics updates for the week
(Week 3 of January 2025)

Severe snowstorms caused significant transport disruptions across northern Europe. Air travel was heavily affected, with 50 flights canceled at London Heathrow and over 300 flights canceled at Moscow airports. Rail services were suspended in multiple regions, including all train services in southwest England. Storm Goretti caused extensive power outages leaving homes in the UK and France without electricity. Meteorological agencies issued severe weather warnings, and the UK's Met Office declared a rare red ___alert___ for strong winds. Damages included uprooted trees and extreme conditions like winds reaching 160 km/h and snowfall of up to 30 cm.

At least 42 flights between Gulf countries and Iranian cities were cancelled due to ongoing unrest in Iran as of Jan 9. Flydubai cancelled 17 flights between Dubai and Iranian destinations such as Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad. Turkish Airlines, Ajet, and Pegasus Airlines also cancelled or suspended several flights to Iran. Hamad International Airport in Qatar saw two cancelled flights between Doha and Tehran. The cancellations coincided with protests in Iran and a nationwide internet blackout. The unrest, driven by economic hardship and high inflation, has raised stability and safety concerns in Iranian airspace, impacting airline operations regionally.

Strong southerly winds, reaching 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale, have caused significant ferry service disruptions across Greece as of January 8. Only ferry routes from the port of Piraeus to the Dodecanese are operating, while all other routes to island destinations are temporarily suspended. Ferry services in the Saronic Gulf are suspended until further notice. At the port of Rafina, routes to the Cyclades are not operating, and sailing bans are in place from the port of Lavrio. Several ferry connections remain closed.

Jan 6, over 1,162 flight disruptions were reported across major airports in China, including Beijing Capital (PEK), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). The disruptions were driven by a surge in domestic travel during the Lunar New Year, combined with staffing shortages and localized weather events. These factors triggered cascading delays that significantly affected major carriers, while climate change–related extreme weather and outdated systems continue to exacerbate disruptions, underscoring the need for investment in advanced technology, infrastructure, and systemic improvements.

A harsh cold snap hit Europe, causing snow, ice, and harsh winds to disrupt transportation and power supply for three days. Airports in Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), and Budapest (BUD) were greatly affected, with hundreds of flight cancellations, while thousands of travelers were stranded. Snowstorms caused thousands to lose power in Serbia, and flooding affected many homes in Albania. Temperatures dropped well below freezing, with continued risks of black ice, heavy snowfall, and strong winds