Oman Air partners with Çelebi India for ground handling services at Manohar International Airport, Goa, making it the first foreign airlines to land the new airport located in North Goa. Oman Air will be operating four flights per week from Mopa airport to Muscat. On 29 October, 2023, Çelebi India successfully executed ground handling services for Oman Air at the airport, and is expected to mark a lasting collaboration to “redefine industry standards by combining Çelebi’s extensive expertise in ground handling with Oman Air’s commitment to delivering exceptional service.” Mr. Tauseef Khan, CEO, Çelebi Ground Handling, India, said, “It is exciting to announce that we have extended our support to the historic inaugural flight of Oman Air at Manohar International Airport in India. This marks a significant milestone as Oman Air becomes the first foreign airline to land at this airport. As a trusted ground handling services provider, we at Çelebi are fully equipped to meet the specific requirements of international carriers and provide exceptional services to our partner airlines across India. This partnership with Oman Air is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier services and contributing to the growth of India’s aviation industry.”

Vietnam Airlines announced the appointment of Aeroprime Group, as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in India for both aviation effective 01 January 2024. Aeroprime Group will serve as integral and strategic partner to Vietnam Airlines to support with sales and marketing strategies through its innovative and tech driven solutions, deliver expanded market reach and distribution across India. The collaboration aims to deliver unparalleled customer service, elevating the travel experience for Vietnam Airlines’ esteemed customers. The appointment of Aeroprime Group will help to further widen Vietnam Airline’s presence and will pave way for expansion in the Indian market to provide a premium, customer friendly services. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, said, “We are honoured that Aeroprime Group has been selected as General Sales Agent (GSA) for Vietnam Airlines in India. We are committed to work with Vietnam Airlines to develop a strong brand presence and expand the customer base in India. With our dedicated team of seasoned professionals across multiple cities and using our cutting-edge technology solutions, we look forward to effectively market the flights and provide superior customer services, offering an exclusive experience of Vietnamese hospitality. Nguyen Trung Hieu, General Manager of Vietnam Airlines Branch in India, said, “We are pleased to appoint Aeroprime Group as our new General Sales Agent (GSA) pan India as we embark on a new journey to enhance our network and to provide the premium services to the Indian travelers. The collaboration with Aeroprime Group will help us to strengthen distribution channels and elevate customer service standards in the Indian market. Vietnam is an incredible destination, with its natural beauty and traditions. Leveraging on Vietnam Airline’s extensive network, this partnership will offer premium …

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) announced a surge in cargo shipments, with an additional volume of 2,500 metric tons of goods processed during the festive season of 2023. Amongst the different cargo categories from CSMIA, the e-commerce sector marked a 87 per cent year-on-year increase. There was also 64 per cent movement in outbound domestic cargo and 36 per cent movement in inbound domestic cargo. In terms of volume for international and domestic cargo, the overall surge distribution leaned towards domestic shipments that accounted for 56 per cent, while international cargo made up for the remaining 44 per cent.

Blue Dart announces partnership with India Post to introduce automated Digital Parcel Lockers at selected post offices. This innovation will allow consignees to retrieve their shipments from digital parcel lockers, without needing personal receipts or signing for a package. The Digital Parcel Lockers will keep the shipments sure and provide ease of access. In addition, deliveries can be collected at any time, with only authorized personnel having access to the packages. Blue Dart collaborated with Podrones, a last-mile technology and parcel locker company, for this initiative. Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said, “Blue Dart has maintained a long-standing strategic business relationship with India Post. This transformative partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service, providing customers the option to collect packages at their convenience. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to revolutionize hyper-connected city logistics, enhancing last-mile delivery efficiency while ensuring a reliable and secure experience for our customers in an increasingly digital and on-demand world.”

cargo-partner officially launched the construction of the third warehouse hall at its iLogistics Centre in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia. The expansion will almost double the storage capacity from the current 27,600 to 50,000 pallet spaces, and will create 60 to 70 additional jobs at the new facility, says an official release. “cargo-partner has been operating in Slovakia for 30 years and is one of the most successful freight forwarding providers in the country. The company reported a turnover of nearly €140 million in 2022, and currently employs more than 200 logistics specialists across its branch offices in Bratislava, Dunajská Streda, Žilina, and Košice.” The iLogistics Centre in Dunajská Streda has been in operation since 2012, gradually expanding to meet growing customer demand for logistics solutions, the release added. “The previous expansion in 2020 increased the warehouse capacity to 18,200 m². The construction of the third hall marks the fourth and final phase of the project, bringing the storage capacity of the logistics complex to 34,300 m² on a site of 60,000 m².” The warehouse’s strategic location and direct connection to the Metrans intermodal terminal allow cargo-partner to reduce handling time by one to two days, resulting in significant ecological and economic advantages, the release said.

Oman Air has taken delivery of its first cargo aircraft, a 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The order is the first dedicated cargo aircraft for the Muscat-based carrier, said Boeing in a press release. Traditionally a passenger airline, Oman Air in February announced it would add its first freighter by the end of the year, though it did not specify the type of aircraft. With the ability to carry up to 23.9 tonnes of freight at a range of 3,750 km, the 737-800BCF will contribute to continued capacity growth at the airline. “The 737-800BCF brings the right payload and range to complement Oman Air’s passenger fleet with dedicated cargo capacity,” said Kate Schaefer, vice president of Boeing Commercial Modifications. “We are honoured to partner with Oman Air Cargo to support their operation with a proven and reliable freighter.”

Airlines in India are strategically investing in dedicated freighter aircraft to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for shippers, says Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Delhi Terminal Management. He adds, “The expansion of air cargo terminals by the Airports Authority of India aims to meet the escalating demand, enhancing the overall cargo handling infrastructure. New trade routes with Asian, Middle Eastern, and African countries are also on the horizon, paving the way for increased demand in air cargo services. Additionally, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence is poised to further augment efficiency and decrease costs, contributing to the sector’s overall expansion. In conclusion, the Indian air cargo sector stands on solid ground for robust growth in the coming years. The convergence of escalating demand, capacity augmentation, government support, and technological advancements paints a positive trajectory for the industry.”

WestJet Cargo announced a new agreement with Flexport, the global leader in supply chain technology, to offer new airfreight solutions for Canadian exports into Asia. Under the unique agreement, WestJet Cargo will deliver Canadian cargo to O’Hare International Airport (ORD), where Flexport operates dedicated freighters from the U.S. to key air freight hubs in Asia, including Incheon International Airport (ICN), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), effectively expanding the global reach for WestJet Cargo and their customers. Given the surge in demand for Canadian products in key Asian markets, particularly perishables like seafood, WestJet Cargo and Flexport’s comprehensive solution meets the needs of customers in Halifax and the surrounding regions at a pivotal time. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with WestJet Cargo to provide a creative, dependable air freight solution for Canadian exporters looking for greater access to Asian markets,” said Neel Jones Shah, EVP of Global Key Accounts and Chief Customer Officer. “Our collaboration with WestJet Cargo is the latest example in Flexport’s mission to make global commerce so easy there’ll be more of it; by creating a fast lane for Canadian exporters to move their goods, we can break down global trade barriers and boost export volumes for these producers.” “This partnership with Flexport opens new doors for WestJet Cargo, and reinforces our commitment to our customers and Canadian economic growth. Together, we offer cutting-edge logistics solutions to meet the growing demand from Canadian exporters to Asia, particularly with regards to our valuable perishable cargo. Using ORD as a connection point, we are seamlessly able to transfer cargo within a matter of hours, further ensuring the freshness and integrity of key Canadian perishable exports,” …

The Air Cargo Association of Hyderabad held its Annual General Meeting on October 14, 2023 and the following office bearers were re-elected for the year 2023-24, according to a release. Mr C. S. Rajender, GBR Freight Forwarders Pvt. Ltd – President Mr D. Amarnath, Far N Par (India) Pvt. Ltd – Vice President Mr K. Venugopala Raju, Global Aviation Services P. Ltd, GSA Lufthansa Cargo – Vice President Mr Laurence Jacobi, Emirates Sky Cargo – General Secretary Mr Ram Singh Thakur, HTL Logistics India Pvt. Ltd – Treasurer Mr T. V. Vijay, Procam Logistics Pvt. Ltd – Joint Secretary Mr Tulasi D. Prasad, Transys Global Forwarding Pvt. Ltd – MC member Mr Anand Pillai, SRP Logistics Pvt. Ltd – MC member Mr K. Sudhakar, Sudarshan Cargo Pvt. Ltd – MC member Mr P. Raj Kumar, Emirates Sky Cargo – MC member Mr Sridhar Babu, HTL Logistics India Pvt. Ltd – MC member Mr Kamal Jain, Cargomen Logistics India Pvt. Ltd – Co-opted MC member. Air Cargo Association of Hyderabad was formed in the year 2001 with members from both Airlines & IATA agents and since its inception it has been conducting many training programs for all members of the trade and other recreational activities for its members.

LATAM Cargo is set to transport 196 horses for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. Horses from the US, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, and Paraguay, were transported via their B767F cargo planes. The process included compliance with the rigorous procedure offered by ALIVE, animal care as part of LATAM Cargo’s product portfolio, to ensure care and professional handling of the animals as part of it. Juan Pablo Márquez, Senior Cargo Operations Manager in Chile for LATAM Cargo, said, “It is a recognition of our extensive experience in this type of transportation, our logistics, and the specialized personnel that allows us to provide top-level handling to ensure the well-being of these animals. We will continue working to deliver a service with the highest quality standards for our customers.”