Challenge Group is set to utilize the added capacity of its second converted B767 freighter to establish a scheduled route between Mumbai (BOM) and Liège (LGG), operating twice weekly. The new scheduled flight creates a direct link between strong economic geographies with operations serving the whole of Europe and the US. Offering a payload of 52 tons per uplift, the freighter will mainly carry pharmaceuticals and electronics, but also the large and complex main deck cargo shipments that are Challenge Group’s expertise. “Given that India is striving to become the factory of the world, and the production of key verticals has significantly increased during the past few years, our strategic decision to now launch a regular and direct India-Europe service goes some way towards satisfying the intense customer demand on this route,” says Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer of Challenge Group. “In fact, after the inaugural flight, we are already adding a second weekly frequency from April onwards.” “The launch of our Mumbai freighter service is the result of extensive market preparation conducted over the past year. This initiative commenced with consistent charter operations across various airports such as DEL, HYD, and BLR. Subsequently, we conducted a targeted roadshow in BOM and DEL last June, engaging with key stakeholders in the logistics industry to present our assets, capabilities, expertise, our supply chain approach and the value proposition of our end-to-end solution. This endeavour provided more insights into their business requirements. Our participation in the recent Air Cargo India event in February further solidified our presence and network within the sector, paving the way for the successful introduction of our Mumbai freighter service.,” Or Zak explains. Challenge Group’s Indian cargo capacity …

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers focuses on trade regulations and asserts, “Changing trade policies can have significant impacts on global supply chains in air freight. Tariffs and Trade Barriers: If trade policies impose tariffs or other barriers on certain goods, it could lead to changes in the volume and direction of air freight shipments. Higher tariffs may make certain products more expensive to import/export, leading to a shift in demand for air freight services. Businesses would expect the Indian government to communicate any changes to trade policies in advance and to consult with stakeholders in finalizing the cargo tariff and other related issues which have potential impact on the air freight industry. Route Optimization: Air freight carriers may need to optimize their routes and operations in response to changing trade policies. This could involve rerouting flights to accommodate shifts in demand. Multiple dipping by the Air Freight carriers, subject to permission, may also be considered to explore the potential for Air Freight from Tier II and Tier III cities. Infrastructure Development: The Indian government may be expected to invest in infrastructure to support the growth of the air freight industry, including the expansion of airports, the modernization of air traffic control systems, and the development of cargo handling facilities. Creation of Off Airport locations for Air Cargo handling activities to reduce logistics cost and congestion during peak period at the Air Cargo Terminals at IGI Airport. Overall, businesses operating in the air freight industry would look to the Indian government to create a conducive environment for the growth of trade and investment, while also addressing any challenges or disruptions caused by changing trade policies.”

Sanjeev Kapoor, AVP Product – Air India says, “Lack of adequate Supply chain solutions/Management, Pricing pressure- Govt. control on drug pricing, Russia-Ukraine War, High R&D cost, Lack of skilled workforce and Regulatory Compliance are some of the existing challenges in air cargo sector.” He adds, “The road connectivity within India has improved at a high pace which has made it possible for the non metro stations to send their pharma products on Reefer trucks to metro stations across India. The cargo industry needs to have blanket approval for moving trans shipment goods via any transit point in India without any restrictions.”

Kerry Logistics has launched a new air-sea solution between Europe and Oceania, which is faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight on the same lanes. The new product, which connects eight European countries with destinations in Australia and New Zealand, is 50 percent cheaper than air freight and three times faster than sea freight on the same lanes, says an official release. “We have been looking for innovative ways to help customers facing issues due to the situation in the Red Sea, which has dramatically increased sea freight transit times to somewhere in excess of 60 days between Europe and Oceania,” says Emma Rowlands, Strategic Sales Director, Europe, Kerry Logistics. “Our air-sea service provides a cost-effective solution, and we have already serviced several key accounts resulting in transit times that have been even better than expected with shipments arriving in Australia from Europe in fewer than 20 days.” Kerry Logistics is offering daily uplifts from airports in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Turkey to Australia and New Zealand with a 20–24 day transit time. Freight is handled through the Hong Kong bonded and secure facility with the product offering complete online visibility as well as carbon emission reporting, the release added.

Amazon Air expanded its air cargo capacity last year through the addition of larger aircraft but also simplified its network and conducted fewer flights. The latest study from The Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development shows that in the five weeks running to March 12, Amazon Air increased its tonnage capacity by 4.9% compared with the same period last year, while total daily flights fell by 1.8% compared with the same period last year. This comes as the airline moved to larger aircraft and consolidated operations at fewer hubs. Since March last year, the carrier has added three Boeing 767-300s, all operated by Air Transportation. International, and its first Airbus A330-300, operated by Hawaiian. In the process, the percentage of the fleet comprised of 737 or smaller planes has fallen from 38% to 33% over the past year. The carrier also stopped using ATR-72 turboprops over the last year and reduced the number of airports it flew to. Overall, Amazon Air’s US fleet increased by one aircraft to 78.

Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management says, “Indian airport terminals have made significant strides in upgrading their infrastructure, enhancing capacity to effectively store and distribute pharmaceutical products and securing industry certifications/accreditations. Recognizing the critical importance of maintaining optimal conditions for pharmaceutical shipments, airports have invested in advanced technology and innovation. Temperature-controlled and monitored storage facilities, automated tracking systems, and specialized handling equipment & procedures have been implemented to ensure the integrity and safety of pharmaceutical cargo. Furthermore, the integration of technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain has revolutionized the tracking and monitoring of temperature and humidity levels in real-time. This not only enhances the efficiency of cargo handling but also provides a higher level of transparency throughout the transportation process. As a result, Indian airport cargo terminals are well-equipped to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical logistics and contribute to the seamless distribution of vital healthcare products. The precise and rigid criteria for pharmaceutical shipments present a significant challenge for all stakeholders engaged in the transportation process. More importantly, it’s about all stakeholders playing their part and consistently adhering to prescribed requirements including ensuring seamless data exchange.”

Pharma.Aero, a leading organisation in the life science logistics industry, released a white paper detailing the findings of the Green Air Pharma Logistics Project (GAPL). The paper explores sustainability challenges within healthcare supply chain logistics and introduces a comprehensive index known as the Lane Sustainability Readiness Index (LSRI) to measure the sustainability readiness of stakeholders throughout the airport-to-airport supply chain. The collaborative effort will identify key quantitative and qualitative indicators defining a green air lane, involving various stakeholders along the supply chain including life science manufacturers, airports, airlines, cargo handlers, and solution providers, says an official release. LSRI will be a tool to support life science companies and freight forwarders to integrate sustainability considerations into freight procurement and lane assessment processes as part of their efforts in achieving Scope 3 targets. Additionally, it is aimed at supporting freight forwarders and airlines in developing low-emissions products and value propositions aligned with their customers’ sustainability goals, the release added.

CargoAi launches a new feature named Air Freight Load Board. This innovative feature is designed to empower freight forwarders and carriers alike, streamlining the process of finding and securing available spot cargo with unprecedented ease and efficiency. With the Air Freight Load Board, airlines can now access a comprehensive database of available freight, complete with detailed cargo specifications, all directly in their CargoMART Airline App. Key Features of the Air Freight Load Board include: • Seamless Search Functionality: Effortlessly allowing users to browse through a wide range of available freight listings, tailored to specific preferences and requirements. • Direct Connection: Connecting directly with the right contacts, eliminating the need for intermediary communication and accelerating the booking process. • Real-Time Updates: Keeping users informed with real-time updates on available cargo. • Enhanced Visibility: Giving unparalleled visibility into the air freight market, enabling carriers to make informed decisions and optimize their operations. “At CargoAi, we are committed to driving innovation and delivering unparalleled value to our customers.” said Matt Petot, CEO at CargoAi. “With the launch of the Air Freight Load Board, we complete our value proposition allowing forwarders to manage spot requests across airlines, previously available, and now giving the airlines the ability to proactively find these opportunities – continuing our mission to revolutionize the way businesses connect and secure cargo, empowering them to find and win more volume with greater ease and efficiency than ever before.” The CargoMART Airline App is already used by many airlines and GSAs locally and doesn’t require any API integration or lengthy configuration. After a quick online training, users can receive and manage their spot requests and answer thanks to the help of the augmented …

Blue Dart is pleased to announce the launch of a ground-breaking Unified Shipping API Software Platform. This platform is tailored specifically to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as Large Enterprises across India, catering to all their logistics requirements. This innovative tool is designed to address the distinctive challenges faced by small, medium, and large establishments in managing their First Mile Dispatches through Digitization, with a focus on operational efficiency. By streamlining operations and fostering growth across all enterprise segments, Blue Dart aims to transform the way businesses handle their shipments. Blue Dart will integrate the cutting-edge software platform offered by eShipz.com into its existing logistics infrastructure. This integration will provide access to advanced dispatch tools, ensuring seamless connectivity with sales platforms, marketplaces, order management systems, warehouse management systems, and enterprise resource planning systems of shippers. On the offering, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, says, “Through this platform, we aim to enhance the capabilities of both MSMEs and large enterprises, enabling them to optimize their supply chain processes and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. We are dedicated to supporting the growth and success of MSMEs, not only in India but also in enabling them to go global.” On the partnership, Shivadeep Mahadi, Co-Founder & CMO of eShipz.com, added, “Our partnership with Blue Dart aligns perfectly with our mission to empower businesses through technology.” One of the Blue Dart’s key USPs is its unparalleled reach, boasting access to over 56,000+ locations across the nation and with DHL Group spanning 220 countries and territories worldwide.

Global air freight rates are continuing to rise, according to the latest data from TAC Index. The overall Baltic Air Freight Index calculated by TAC gained a further 4.1 percent in the week to March 18, the third successive weekly increase, reducing the decline over 12 months to 20.3 percent. Rates are rising strongly again out of China with the index of outbound routes from Hong Kong up a further 5.2 percent WoW with gains on almost all major lanes cutting its YoY decline to only 7.9 percent, the update added. “With sources among forwarders suggesting renewed robust demand for Chinese exports, outbound Shanghai gained 8.9 percent WoW – strong gains both to Europe and the U.S. – further eroding the YoY decline to 7.6 percent. Meanwhile, after recent huge gains, rates out of India seem to be levelling off, and from Vietnam falling back a little.”