Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport says, “The air cargo and logistics sector has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, yet infrastructure standards remain a mixed bag. While major hubs boast world-class facilities, regional airports often lack the necessary infrastructure for seamless operations. Major challenges include but not limited to outdated cargo terminals, limited cargo handling capacity, and inadequate cold storage facilities for temp-sensitive cargo. Further, lack of standardized processes and digitalization hinders efficiency and transparency. Few airports in India are experiencing increasing congestion, particularly with the rise in air cargo volumes driven by current geopolitical situation, emergence of global e-commerce, increase in pharmaceutical exports, and China +1 strategy benefitting India. However, there’s a growing emphasis on modernizing infrastructure. Further, investments in automation, safety & security, and sustainable practices are driving positive changes in the sector. Collaboration between stakeholders, including governments, airlines, and logistics providers, is crucial to bridge the gap and ensure the sector’s long-term competitiveness.”

Pramod Menon, Vice President – Cargo, Rainbow Aviation says, “The government has launched initiatives to modernise 150 underutilised airports and airstrips across the country, which will boost air cargo capabilities and regional connectivity. In terms of air cargo infrastructure, there are plans to establish dedicated cargo terminals, and cold storage facilities for perishables. Automated storage and retrieval systems, mechanised cargo handling systems, and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems will also be introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency. However, despite these efforts, there is still a need for significant investment in logistics infrastructure, including basic requirements of warehousing, transportation, and technology upgrades. The Indian logistics sector is expected to grow significantly, driven by the e-commerce boom, Make in India Initiative (government initiatives), and investments in infrastructure. Overall, while there have been notable improvements in air cargo and logistics infrastructure, there is still a long way to go to meet the growing demands of the sector.”

Arun Chandra, BIAL, Vice President – Aviation Business, BIAL says, “To support the growing demand, Public-private partnerships should drive investment in green infrastructure, ensuring sustainability while expanding capacity.  Furthermore, the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, should evaluate existing procedures and processes, aiming to adopt global best practices. This will help streamline air cargo operations in India, making them more efficient and growth focused. BLR Airport with its enhanced connectivity and state-of-the-art infrastructure, has established itself as a key airport for air cargo operations in India, enabling seamless global trade. In FY 2023-24, BLR Airport handled 44% of South India’s total perishable cargo and contributed 28% to the national perishable cargo share, showcasing its pivotal role in supporting industries reliant on temperature-sensitive logistics. The standards of infrastructure in the air cargo and logistics sectors have witnessed significant progress in recent years, with technological advancements, cold chain facilities, and streamlined customs processes. However, India’s air cargo and logistics sector requires infrastructural advancements to accommodate growing demand and achieve global competitiveness specifically from sectors like the e-commerce.  Modernising the cargo terminals with state-of-the-art infrastructure, streamlined processes, and digital innovation is essential to unlocking the sector’s potential and meeting international standards.”

  Kaushalya Logistics (KLL) has received the approval of three new depots in Uttar Pradesh for JK Cement. KLL stated that these locations, Shahganj, Fatehpur, and Akbarpur, mark a significant step forward in its mission to strengthen logistics footprint in the cement industry. This expansion is expected to create new growth opportunities, enhance revenue streams, optimize resource utilization, and strengthen relationships with clients. It reflects the companys commitment to delivering seamless and efficient logistics solutions across India, it added. Uddhav Poddar, managing director, Kaushalya Logistics, said, We are delighted to announce the addition of three new depots for JK Cement in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen our logistics network. This expansion reflects our dedication to providing efficient and reliable logistics solutions to our clients while supporting the growth of JK Cements operations.

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling at VCJ Foundation says, “To tackle peak hour challenges and airport congestion, we should leverage advanced technology like AI-driven traffic management systems and real-time passenger flow analytics. Implementing smart queuing solutions and enhancing communication through mobile apps can streamline processes. Additionally, promoting staggered flight schedules and flexible check-in options can distribute demand more evenly, improving the overall passenger experience and operational efficiency at airports.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo says, “The congestion mainly at the airports of metro cities begins from the cargo offloading at the limited truck-doc areas due to departure schedules of flights of several carriers coinciding with each other followed by a delayed process of weighment by the custodian. An absence of regulated parking & offloading processes at the platforms results in bunching of huge cargo at any given time. The subsequent congestion occurs for the screening process wherein large quantum of cargo queues up for their turns incurring considerable delays. Thus, all the related agencies have to provide the requisite facilities commensurate with the growth of cargo tonnage facilitating hassle free timely handling of processes. The related agencies must install additional provisions and redesign their systems and processes, wherever needed to be in readiness for any peak demand scenario. They must also consider using technology, coordination, and best practices to optimize the use of resources and minimize delays and congestions.”

Naveen Shandilya, Co-founder & CTO at Kargo360 says, “The air cargo industry, valued at an impressive $146 billion, is undergoing a transformative shift from manual processes to digital solutions. Kargo360 is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a comprehensive SaaS platform designed to optimize air logistics for airlines and logistics providers. Kargo360 addresses key industry challenges such as underutilized cargo capacity, inefficient communication channels, and lack of data visibility. With a robust product suite, it provides end-to-end solutions, including real-time tracking, streamlined operations, and advanced analytics. Key features like a 360° customer platform, API integrations, and tailored scalability enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive revenue growth. As airlines continue to navigate the complexities of the air cargo industry, Kargo360 remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive tangible value. By leveraging Kargo360’s cutting-edge technology, stakeholders can achieve lightning-fast logistics management while unlocking untapped opportunities in air cargo, cost reductions and revenue optimisation. To learn more, visit www.Kargo360tech.com”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Efficiently managing peak-hour challenges and congestion at airports requires a multi-faceted approach. Implementing advanced digital tools like AI-powered slot management and real-time tracking can enhance operational flow. Collaborative planning, optimizing terminal layouts, and promoting off-peak cargo processing are critical. Additionally, considering the handling of cargo at off-airport locations, such as Air Freight Stations (AFS), can serve as an effective alternative to manage peak-hour challenges and ensure seamless operations.”

Dinesh Krishnan, Member MC & Chairman, ACAAI Southern Region says, “The peak hours challenges have always been there at the air cargo terminals across the country. Despite many efforts, the flow of cargo post lunch until 9 pm is not smooth & congestion on weekends plague the industry efficiency. Heavy incentive, ‘Happy hours’ (pre-lunch hrs. carting), allows only less than 24 hours uplift on confirmed booking and carting in to shed, additional deployment of assets (manpower and equipment) for peak hours, duty fee and usage of load predicative technology to anticipate in advance the weekly trend to mitigate the problem to some extent. CTO’S needs to find solutions and deploy adequate assets to ensure the terminals are able to process air cargo quickly and efficiently, 24/7 as mandated by contracts.

At the ongoing India International Cargo Show (IICS) in Mumbai, Sanjiv Edward, President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) says, “Air freight services have long been the cornerstone of global trade, offering fast and reliable transportation across continents. As global chains become more complex and e-commerce continues to expand, the need for expedited shipping and air freight also has become relevant. Key industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, high-value goods, heavily rely on air freight, especially for time-sensitive shipments. Today, the logistics market is about 9.8 trillion globally and including 3PL, 4PL, warehousing, freight, everything combined. But currently due to the way the world is going, and the progression of the market is positive, we are looking at about 16, close to 18 trillion by 2032. This presents opportunity for all. Air freight is the backbone of high-value and time-sensitive shipments. Today, it’s about a 300-million-dollar market growing at a CAGR of about 6.2% and it will be closer to about 500 million, 85 million precisely by 2031. And our ambition is to be part of that growth which this industry is going through. Looking at the Indian context, the Indian aviation industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, we know that. We have the government in fact committed to about 920 billion in airport infrastructure. We will be building about 400 plus airports by 2025 and then adding another 200 in two decades.”