Atlas Air Buys Into Air Atlanta, UPS Mexico Heavy Freight, & Nussbaum Driver Pay Hike | The Morning Minute

In this episode, we kick things off with a massive strategic move in the air cargo sector as Atlas Air, the world's largest Boeing 747 freighter operator, acquires a forty-nine percent stake in Iceland-based Air Atlanta and purchases its fleet of fourteen widebody aircraft through Titan Aviation Leasing. The partnership strengthens Atlas's ability to provide freight service at a time when many large freighters are nearing retirement and manufacturers cannot increase production fast enough. Next, we explore how UPS is rolling out a major service upgrade specifically designed for cross-border industrial shippers as the logistics giant launches time-definite heavy freight air service between the US and Mexico on its own aircraft for the first time. With one-day, two-day and three-day options launching in August, this move supports UPS's broader strategy to deemphasize low-margin parcel business and focus on high-value goods and complex supply chains like automotive. Finally, we cover a clear signal that the driver labor market is heating back up as Illinois-based Nussbaum Transportation announces driver pay increases and a first-ever profit sharing plan, becoming the first carrier to publicly disclose such a move in what appears to be an emerging industry trend. The National Transportation Institute confirmed that multiple fleets have quietly reported pay increases in recent weeks, driven by surging hiring challenges in the second quarter. Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices