Category Archives: Aviation

Vikram Kumar, Honorary Secretary General, ACAAI and Director, CTC Air Carriers elaborates on upcoming 47th ACAAI convention theme ‘AI The Game Changer – Embracing the Intelligent Future.’ He said, “AI can help to improve efficiency and Productivity. AI can help in Route Optimisation and Automated Cargo handling through smart devices. There can be significant cost reductions due to fuel efficiencies and predictive maintenance reducing downtime of aircraft and ensuring continuous supply. Safety and security can also be enhanced through predictive technologies. AI based Profiling, screening and risk management can mitigate risks associated with air transportation, enhancing safety and reliability. Good quality AI that can analyze vast amounts of data accurately can optimise capacity planning and resource allocation. The quality of data can also help automate customs and port processes and ensure higher compliance. Customer service is an area where AI has already shown its importance and chat bots can provide real time tracking, bookings and end to end visibility for sensitive products with IOT providing continuous data automated and presented to improve customer experience. The implementation of AI at multiple points in the supply chain can offer significant benefits, but it also comes with several challenges. AI relies heavily on data, and inconsistent or poor-quality data can lead to inaccurate results. Standardizing data formats and ensuring data quality can be a significant challenge, especially when dealing with data from multiple sources. Sharing data across the supply chain can raise concerns about data privacy and security.

Airblox has added Pacific Air Cargo to its network of carriers. The partnership between Airblox and Pacific Air Cargo represents a powerful fusion of community support, innovation, and logistics excellence, says an official release. Pacific Air Cargo has remained strong in its commitment to the communities it serves with a particular emphasis on the Hawaiian Islands. Christian Calderon, Sales Manager, Pacific Air Cargo says: “Since our inception in 2000, Pacific Air Cargo has steadfastly committed to supporting the communities we serve with a particular focus on the Hawaiian Islands. This dedication extends beyond providing exceptional air cargo services since we also provide a vital lifeline during challenging times such as the recent pandemic and natural disasters in Guam and Maui.” Brian Kolb, VP, Strategy, Airblox adds: “Pacific Air Cargo’s unwavering support for the communities they serve aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the air cargo industry with an efficient and reliable platform. For forwarders and logistics professionals, this partnership represents an exceptional opportunity. Accessing Pacific Air Cargo’s capacity in and out of the Hawaiian Islands through the Airblox platform means more than just enhanced flexibility and efficiency in managing supply chain operations; it’s about supporting a carrier deeply committed to community well-being.”

In a seamless transition of leadership, B N Rajmoghon, New Regional Chairman of ACAAI, Kerala Region succeeds Suresh Kumar, who is now the newest member of Managing Committee. The Regional Meeting of Kerala Region was held at the Hotel Windsor Rajdhani Trivandrum Kerala where regional issues related to air cargo were discussed. C K Govil, President ACAAI attended the meet.

The Noida International Airport (NIA) unveiled its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code as DXN. The airport is expected to launch flights by the end of 2024. The code will become active once the airport starts operations. The IATA codes are unique to each individual airport and serve as essential identifiers for airports globally to prevent any ambiguity between countries and cities. These codes are featured not only on passengers’ travel documents but are a crucial element in various other communications on a daily basis across flight schedules, ticketing, and baggage handling from one airport to another.

Starting from October 29, 2023, during the Northern Winter 2023/24 season launch, Etihad Airways will enhance its service on the Abu Dhabi to Mumbai route. The airlines will introduce a fourth daily flight on this route, with flights designated as EY196/197. These additional flights will be operated using Airbus A320 or A321 aircraft. The Abu Dhabi-based airline currently has many unutilized seats, amounting to 10,000 per week out of the total 50,000 allocated seats. By expanding its services and filling these unutilized seats, Etihad Airways is gearing up to enhance its presence and connectivity in the Indian market. In partnership with Abu Dhabi Air Arabia, Etihad operates 165 weekly flights to 10 important gateways across the Indian market.

Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal has successfully handled Import and Export cargo of around 150 pieces each way, consisting of about 40 superbikes and amounting to nearly 900 tons of inbound and outbound cargo for the MotoGP Bharat organised at Buddha International Circuit, Greater Noida. This extensive operation involved impeccable planning, stakeholder alignment and coordination, high collaboration and efficient handling of all EXIM consignments for the thrilling motorsport event. The successful handling of ultra-customised sports vehicles, which use advanced electronics and the very latest materials, requires a range of specialized equipment and infrastructure. Çelebi was well-prepared with main deck loaders, lower deck loaders, heavy-duty forklifts, flatbed trucks, experienced operators, and real-time coordination with all stakeholders, ensuring a seamless cargo operation. In total, 8 wide-body freighters (747s) were involved in this operation, with three different aircraft operators. Mr. Kamesh Peri, CEO of Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal, expressed his enthusiasm for Çelebi’s role in India’s first-ever MotoGP event, stating, “We are thrilled to have facilitated our expertise during India’s first-time hosting of MotoGP. Çelebi delivered seamless cargo handling services, underscoring our unwavering commitment to excellence. With our state-of-the-art equipment and highly skilled & motivated team, Çelebi was highly equipped to handle special cargo handling requirements. We are proud to have contributed our services to the successful hosting of MotoGP Bharat, ensuring that this remarkable event ran smoothly.”

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) handled the transportation of high-value Superbikes for recently concluded Bharat MotoGP event, using three Silk Way West Airlines and one ATLAS Air Freighter Aircraft, amounting to a total of 155 pieces and approximately 380 metric tons of cargo. DIAL handled four full freighter shipments from 14th to 17th Sep 2023. The efficient and timely handling of the shipments has been managed by DIAL in partnership with Celebi and RE Rogers. A dedicated team comprising DIAL, Celebi (Cargo Terminal Operator), ground handling agents (BWFS & Celebi), and RE Rogers (freight forwarder) closely monitored the entire process, from freighter offloading to the release of the Superbike consignments. To ensure the secure handling of the motorbikes, vehicle entry passes were issued, granting direct access for transport vehicles to the ramp and minimizing the need for multiple handling. The entire movement was escorted from Delhi International Airport to the Buddha International Circuit, ensuring a safe and efficient journey.

Qatar Airways Cargo, which is celebrating two decades of operations, has continuously expanded its fleet, network, and product portfolio, becoming the world’s number one cargo carrier since it took delivery of its first freighter, an Airbus A300-600 converted freighter, in 2003. Qatar Airways began regular operations to Amsterdam and Chennai, and shortly thereafter to New Delhi. Today, the cargo airline operates more than 160 belly-hold and over 70 freighter destinations with over 200 passenger aircraft and 31 dedicated cargo freighters, says an official release. Elisabeth Oudkerk, Senior Vice-President, Cargo Sales and Network Planning says: “As Qatar Airways Cargo celebrates 20 years of freighter operations, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our customers for their continuous trust in our services. We take immense pride in our history and anticipate contributing to the promising future of air freight.” With the launch of its Next Generation strategy, Qatar Airways Cargo has defined its role in the air cargo industry by bringing a fresh and innovative approach to business across its network and operations through enhanced products and services, cutting-edge technology, a commitment to sustainability and diversity, investing in existing talent and attracting new ones.

Air Canada has placed a new order for 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft. This order substitutes a previously announced agreement to purchase two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, and Air Canada will no longer take delivery of the two freighters. “Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in Q42025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q1 2027,” says an official release. They will be used to replace older, less efficient wide-body aircraft currently in the Air Canada fleet. The agreement also includes options for another 12 Boeing 787-10 aircraft, which will provide flexibility for growth to meet future customer demand.” Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada says: “Air Canada has made investing in the passenger experience a core priority. Our experience shows customers greatly enjoy flying on the Dreamliner, so we are pleased to offer them a larger version of this popular aircraft, which will premiere a new, state-of-the-art interior cabin design. As importantly, the 787 is highly fuel efficient and will generate operational savings as well as support our sustainability goals of reducing emissions.”

The Air France KLM Group has placed an order to purchase 50 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft with purchase rights for 40 additional aircraft. The deliveries are expected between 2026 to 2030, says an official release. “This will be an evolutionary order, providing the Group with flexibility to allocate aircraft within its portfolio of airlines, according to market dynamics and local regulatory conditions,” the release adds. Benjamin Smith, CEO, Air France-KLM says, “This new order will be a major step in the renewal of the Group’s fleet. The Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft with an excellent track record at Air France where it has rapidly become a favourite among passengers and crew since its entry into service in 2019. It is the perfect fit for the network needs of the Group and boasts outstanding performances: it is a quieter, more fuel-efficient and more cost-effective aircraft compared to previous generations. It will be instrumental in helping the Group reach our ambitious sustainability targets including (-) 30 percent CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre by 2030.”