“India has a lot of potential in air cargo sector, and it is experiencing a transformative boom,” said the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu while addressing the gathering at the 10th Edition of PHDCCI Global Aviation & Air Cargo Summit in New Delhi. He added, “Recognising this potential, we have embarked on developing dedicated freight corridors, implementing digital processes such as airway bills, and investing in the state-of-the-art cargo terminals. Our goal has always been to make India a global cargo hub by enhancing connectivity and improving efficiency.” He further added – “the total cargo handled increased from 24.7 lakh metric tonnes in financial year 2020-21 to an anticipated 33.6 lakh metric tonnes in financial year 2023-24, these numbers speak for themselves.” Other dignitaries who attended the event included Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Adviser, MoCA and Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics and Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Experts from aviation and cargo industry were also present.

Galaxy Freight Hyderabad team recently facilitated a project cargo shipment from GMR Hyderabad International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai, UAE, said company’s official LinkedIn Post. The consignment weighing 17446 kgs, of dimensions 562 x 263 x 252 cms and 74.494 CBM was to be moved by air to its destination, after being sourced from the shipper’s factory. “As with every odd dimensional cargo, the above mentioned cargo needed to be transported within a stipulated timeline, with specialised equipment, adhering to crucial compliance requirements and government regulations and guidelines. The cargo was lifted using a special crane to be loaded on the aircraft which had to be chosen among a select range of freighters – B777F, B747F, or B747-8F. Our highly trained personnel managed to pull off the task with a proactive and agile approach, coming up with on-the-go solutions, and adapting to every challenge glaring upon them in that moment. Although this is not the first time we have showcased our project logistics prowess, we intend to take pride in our seamless and smooth operations, crediting every single milestone with equal enthusiasm and fervour. We would also like to thank all the GMR authorities for expediting the shipment and the customs clearing agent for helping us with the timely loading, considering the stakes that tend to be so high for project cargo shipments,” said a company official.

TT Group, founded by the late TT Vasu, a distinguished member of the TTK family from South India, proudly marks its 40th anniversary today. What began as a pioneering venture in air cargo logistics has evolved into a multifaceted enterprise with a presence across several key industries. Starting with TT Logistics, one of the longest-serving General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for IAG Cargo, TT Group has expanded its portfolio over the decades. The Group has successfully ventured into visa outsourcing services for embassies and consulates, Foreign Exchange and Money Changing (FFMC) operations, insurance broking, trucking, the hospitality sector, and adventure water sports. Today, TT Group is a well-recognized and respected brand in the fields of air cargo logistics, trucking, insurance broking, and hospitality across India. The company’s journey over the past 40 years reflects a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. As TT Group looks to the future, it remains dedicated to maintaining its leadership position in the industries it serves while continuing to explore new opportunities for growth and expansion. For more information, please contact: Reshma Zaheer, Chief Operating Officer, TT Group, Reshma.Zaheer@ttgroupglobal.com

  The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) has selected Cargo Talk as its official Media partner for the forthcoming 48th Annual Convention set to be held in Baku from 5 December, 2024 till 8 December, 2024 with the theme ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics.’ Registrations are now open. Register Now!

  Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport says, “India’s strategic location between Southeast Asia and major Western markets makes it a prime transshipment hub for global trade. By consolidating cargo from both regions, airlines can optimize routes, reduce costs, and enhance service. Sectors like textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables offer significant opportunities for growth. This will boost India’s export-import trade by increasing cargo volume and delivery time. In addition, the freight rates may decrease due to the combined volume of EXIM and transhipment cargo in the freighters. Increased transhipment activities will enhance connectivity, which will improve the delivery times for Indian EXIM cargo as well.”    

The UP government has reportedly received 16 investment proposals for cargo terminals near railway tracks in 14 districts under the Uttar Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Policy, 2022, while investor interest in other transport sectors like inland waterways and trucker parks remains lacking. In the first phase, the policy seeks development of 25 cargo terminals. The transport department, which is the nodal body for these sectors, has invited fresh proposals to get investors for inland waterways and truckers parks as well. According to the reports Avani Paridhi Mining and Minerals has proposed to set up one cargo terminal each in Sultanpur, Shahjahanpur, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Sitapur, Ayodhya, Meerut, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Varanasi and Gautam Buddh Nagar and two each in Lucknow and Agra. Another company has proposed to set up a cargo terminal in Moradabbad under the Centre’s Gati Shakti Scheme, the reports added.

Container Corporation of India (Concor) will soon begin coastal movement of goods as part of its multi-modal logistics strategy to offer a cheap, fast, and cleaner mode of transportation, says reports. In June this year, Concor and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) had signed MoU to explore business opportunities for leveraging the advantage of each other’s infrastructure and experience in synergy to offer seamless and cost-effective end-to-end logistics services to customers under a single window. Sanjay Swarup, CMD, Concor stated that coastal shipping is a very eco-friendly mode of transport. The company had launched the coastal shipping services pre-Covid in Jan 2019 and had developed some streams from Gujarat to the South. The service was stopped in 2020 during Covid. “So now we have collaborated with the Shipping Corporation and very soon, we will be starting coastal movement from Gujarat to South India and even from South to the eastern side of the country. So you will hear very soon that we are going to start the coastal movement,” said officials in reports. The MoU will enable SCI’s shipping services to develop Concor’s footprint in overseas locations and also to foray into the field of coastal and inland waterways trade to offer a wide range of customisable logistics solutions for the benefit of trade at large.

        Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has entered into a formal agreement with the Government of Odisha for providing skill development training to the state youth in the aviation sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Directorate of Skill Development and Employment (DSDE), Skill Development and Technical Education Department, aims to enhance aviation training opportunities for aspiring professionals from Odisha. The collaboration comes at a crucial time, with passenger capacity at major Indian airports projected to more than double from 192 million to 420 million in the next four years. Additionally, the fleet size of Indian carriers is expected to nearly triple from 700 to 2,000 aircraft, highlighting the urgent need for skilled aviation professionals. Under this agreement, AISATS will facilitate a rigorous 30-day training program for candidates from Odisha at its established Training Academy in Hyderabad. The program is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills for roles in ramp handling and customer service within airport operations. Admission to the program requires meeting specific educational prerequisites to qualify for the AISATS Training Academy and to undertake training for these specialized roles. Mr. Sanjay Gupta, CEO of AISATS, stated, “This partnership with the Government of Odisha marks a significant aspect in our ongoing commitment to fostering indigenous talent and contributing to the advancement of India’s aviation sector. By providing access to our state-of-the-art training academy in Hyderabad and offering immediate employment opportunities, we aim to cultivate a highly skilled workforce that will be instrumental in shaping the future of airport operations across India. With the projected growth in the aviation sector, which has increased the demand for ground handlers to ensure efficient and …

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has appointed Group Concorde as its General Sales Agent (GSA) across eight countries. This partnership signifies a major expansion for both companies, aiming to enhance cargo operations and customer service in Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. Over the next three months, Group Concorde will seamlessly assume responsibility for cargo sales operations in these key markets. Leveraging its extensive industry experience and robust network to drive growth and efficiency, Group Concorde will focus on driving growth and enhancing efficiency. This collaboration will amplify IAG Cargo’s market presence providing customers in these regions with streamlined access to IAG Cargo’s expansive network and services. CEO of Group Concorde, Prithviraj Chug, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We are honoured to be appointed as IAG Cargo’s General Sales Agent in these vibrant markets. This opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional cargo solutions and enhance our global network. We look forward to working closely with IAG Cargo to deliver unparalleled service and support to our customers.” As a leader in the air cargo industry, IAG Cargo views this partnership as a pivotal step in strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and Oceania. “Partnering with Group Concorde as our GSA for eight key markets is a strategic move that will allow us to strengthen our presence and ensure we provide customers with the best possible service.” Said IAG Cargo’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Camillo Garcia Cervera. “We aim to offer the best possible service for businesses looking to transport cargo globally, and Group Concorde’s market knowledge and expertise makes them the ideal partner for us.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 13.6% compared to July 2023 levels (14.3% for international operations). This is the eighth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth, with overall levels reaching heights not seen since the record peaks of 2021. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 8.3% compared to July 2023 (10.1% for international operations). This was largely related to the growth in international belly capacity, which rose 12.8% on the strength of passenger markets and balancing the 6.9% growth of international freighter capacity. It should be noted that the increase in belly capacity is the lowest in 40 months whereas the growth in freighter capacity is the highest since an exceptional jump was recorded in January 2024. “Air cargo demand hit record highs year-to-date in July with strong growth across all regions. The air cargo business continues to benefit from growth in global trade, booming e-commerce and capacity constraints on maritime shipping. With the peak season still to come, it is shaping to be a very strong year for air cargo. And airlines have proven adept at navigating political and economic uncertainties to flexibly meet emerging demand trends,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.