Tej Contractor, Director, Mayur C. Contractor Logistics, MCC Container Lines, and Transcargo India, has been elected VP, FFFAI at the recent FIATA World Congress held in Hanoi, Vietnam. In another development, Keshav Tanna, Member, Board of Advisors, ACAAI, has been appointed Secretary General, FIATA. Their appointments underscore FIATA’s recognition of India’s influence in shaping global logistics policy and development. The recognition coincides with ACAAI being honoured by FIATA at the same Congress for hosting the FIATA Regional Asia-Pacific Meeting in New Delhi earlier this year —testament to India’s growing leadership and active engagement in the global freight forwarding community.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said, “The time is ripe for PM GatiShakti to move to the next level. It is a central tool for national and human development, aimed at achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.” He noted the initiative’s impact was visible across sectors, with logistics costs showing a decline and last-mile connectivity improving. He highlighted how PMGS has evolved into a key tool for coordination and effective planning across ministries, states and departments. Goyal also announced the launch of new digital tools, including a unified geospatial interface offering public access to PMGS databases. He was speaking at the fourth anniversary of PMGS, held at Bharat Mandapam. The event focused on the initiatives and developments have taken place in the past four years under PMGS and its future vision.

Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight said, “Firstly, we would like to thank our government for providing Mumbai with an additional airport, given that Mumbai is the financial centre and one of the most important cities in India. We definitely need better road connectivity to the new airport, and while it’s going to take some time, it’s super important for making things easier for travellers. Right now, people flying out of Mumbai might find it quicker to get to BLR or MAA instead. The government is on it, and once the infrastructure is finished, getting to the airport should be a breeze. One big thing to think about is how many airlines will start operating from this airport. If cargo gets offloaded and the next flight isn’t for a week, we need to figure out who will handle the extra costs and how the remaining goods will get shipped. Will airlines use bonded trucking to take cargo back to the old airport, or will they wait for the next flight? – is another question that comes to mind.  These hiccups are part of getting started, but we’re hopeful they’ll get sorted out soon. Once everything is running smoothly, this airport will bring awesome advantages with its space and high-tech facilities, and the warehouses will be huge and automated. The Navi  Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) along with the Noida International Airport, or Jewar Airport, is set to be a game changer, especially since it’s part of the Indian government’s plan to double the domestic airport network to 300 by 2047. Unlike the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, NMIA is designed for smooth, congestion-free access. Plus, it’s conveniently located near the Nhava …

Rajen Bhatia, Chairman, ACAAI Western Region, said, “While the exact commencement date for cargo operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport is yet to be announced, the industry is already looking forward to the opportunities it will bring. As one of India’s most anticipated infrastructure projects, NMIAL holds the potential to significantly reshape cargo movement, especially in the western region. We expect the airport to offer world-class facilities, efficient customs clearance, and seamless multimodal connectivity that will help reduce transit times and logistics costs. The additional capacity will also help ease the pressure on Mumbai International Airport, which has long been operating at near full capacity. For the logistics and freight forwarding community, the new airport could open up greater opportunities in handling specialised cargo, such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and express shipments more effectively. Its proximity to JNPT and proposed integrated logistics zones could further strengthen sea-air connectivity and help position India as a more competitive logistics hub in the region. We look forward to the timely launch of cargo operations and to working collaboratively with stakeholders to realize its full potential.”

Gautham Raju, Air Freight Specialist said, “NMIA’s proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, which is India’s busiest container gateway, enables seamless SEA-AIR transshipment. This allows containers arriving at JNPT to be cleared and airlifted within hours to destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia which can make India a most effective SEA-AIR Hub which will be a crucial factor on Honourable PM Modi’s goal of 10 million metric tons by 2030. NMIA boasts a fully automated cargo facility with AI technology which offers a better TAT and real time tracking performance with faster transparency with specialised facilities for Perishable, Pharma and Express loads. These zones are backed by dedicated freight corridors which streamline the congestion and offer efficiency gains for importers and exporters especially from Down West region like Pune, etc.”

Amit Maheshwari, Founder and CEO, Softlink Global said, “The cargo operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport are set to redefine India’s air logistics landscape. With advanced automation, temperature-controlled and express cargo zones, and seamless connectivity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, it will enable faster cargo turnaround, lower handling costs, and improved multimodal integration. This new gateway will decongest Mumbai, attract global trade flows, and position Western India as a key hub for time-sensitive and high-value cargo.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “NMIA may prove itself as a major international air cargo hub with heightened processing capacity with millions of metric tonnes of cargo annually, enhancing connectivity and accelerated pace for businesses. The new airport will also support the decentralisation of production from metro areas to smaller cities and the hinterland, providing much-needed infrastructure for producers to export their goods efficiently apart from serving as a major gateway, improving both international business links and the global connectivity of Indian shippers coupled with considerable job creation and fostering economic growth. The airport is also well supported by enhanced road links through expressways & metro networks which will improve logistical access to and from the airport. Few major airlines have already announced plans to shift operations to NMIA, ensuring that the airport quickly develops sufficient passenger traffic to support cargo operations.”

Nomita Kothari, CEO, New Globe Logistik said, “Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will be a major boost for the cargo industry by enhancing capacity, efficiency, and connectivity. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, dedicated cargo terminals, and improved multimodal connectivity (road, rail, and sea), NMIA will reduce congestion at the current Mumbai airport, handle larger volumes of cargo, faster turnaround times and improved logistics efficiency. With better road, rail, and port connections, movement of goods will become faster and smoother. NMIA will attract global logistics players, strengthening Mumbai’s position as a key air cargo hub for India and South Asia. Overall, NMIA will drive competitiveness, reduce costs, and create a seamless cargo ecosystem, benefiting the entire supply chain.”

Balagopal Balachandran, National Head – Air Freight, FEI Cargo said, “India’s logistics sector is witnessing rapid transformation as infrastructure, policy, and sustainability initiatives converge. The inauguration of Navi Mumbai International Airport this week marks a major milestone — expected to handle over 1 million tonnes of cargo annually once fully operational, easing pressure on Mumbai Airport and creating new opportunities for exporters from western India. On the surface side, the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) continue to expand, improving rail transit times by up to 30–40 per cent, while the PM Gati Shakti program accelerates multimodal connectivity between ports, airports, and industrial zones. Meanwhile, India’s first battery swap station for electric trucks at Delhi’s cargo terminal highlights growing momentum toward greener and more cost-efficient last mile transport. Despite these gains, global disruptions including Red Sea diversions and fluctuating ocean freight rates are reshaping trade flows. Indian exporters are increasingly balancing sea and air routes, using digital freight platforms to enhance visibility and manage cost volatility. With infrastructure upgrades, technology adoption, and sustainability at the forefront, India is steadily evolving into South Asia’s logistics powerhouse, poised to support $2 trillion in export ambitions under the government’s 2047 vision.”

Jeena & Company won the Outstanding Contribution to Cargo & Logistics Industry Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards 2025. The recognition celebrates the company’s legacy, continuous innovation, and commitment to advancing India’s cargo and logistics sector through excellence, customer focus, and industry leadership.