Category Archives: Aviation

To boost global ops and meet growing demand, Turkish Cargo has expanded its fleet with the addition of ninth Boeing 777F. Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines, “The airline is all set to take delivery of three additional B777Fs by mid-2026. The four B777Fs were ordered in July last year. The latest B777F will operate on long-haul scheduled routes primarily to the Americas and the Far East. At Turkish Cargo, we will expand our Boeing 777F fleet to 12 aircraft in 2026, gaining an additional annual capacity of 220,000 tonnes. This growth will contribute to our fleet streamlining and sustainability goals, while enabling us to offer our business partners greater capacity.”

Rajen Bhatia, Chairman, ACAAI Western Region said, “The ACAAI Western Region is addressing the air cargo logistics concerns through sustained engagement with airport operators, customs authorities, and other regulatory bodies. The association regularly participates in stakeholder committees to promote coordination and push for practical, on-ground reforms, attending meetings/seminars of Indian Merchants Chamber, ASSOCHAM, FICCI. This apart, it attends Indian Customs meetings every fortnight to get issues resolved and future improvements for the benefit of the trade. Representations are made to the ministry from time to time based on the issues facing the trade and industry and the improvements/suggestions, which benefit the trade at large.”

Mumbai Cargo Service Centre Cold Chain Solution (MCSCCCSPL) was honoured with the ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator– Cold Chain’ Award at the recent India Cargo Awards in New Delhi. Expressing pride, Pramod Pereira, General Manager, Mumbai Cargo Service Centre Cold Chain Solution, said, “This is a prestigious recognition as it celebrates industry leaders and distinguishes excellence within the sector. It is a proud moment for us and an achievement for my team back home.” He added, “We handle a significant volume of pharma and perishable cargo–both of which require care and swift handling due to their time-sensitive nature at our Mumbai terminal. Over the years, our team has gained exceptional expertise and experience in managing these critical shipments. With a strong network of over 70 airlines and 200 forwarders and pharma shippers, this achievement reflects dedication, precision, and professionalism of our team.”  

Blue Dart unveiled its largest Green Integrated Ground Hub (in Pataudi, Haryana to bring multiple operations under one roof to boost connectivity, scalability, and efficiency across Blue Dart’s nationwide express network, while furthering its sustainability agenda, said statement. Spanning 50,558 sqm, the facility integrates e-commerce, domestic express, and ground shipments under one consolidated operation. Located 50 km away from New Delhi airport, the Pataudi hub offers seamless multimodal connectivity with Delhi-NCR and key national expressways. Its location enables Centre of Gravity optimisation, reducing vehicle movement by 30 per cent and improving throughput speed by 10 per cent, making it a critical logistics hub for North India.

Vikram Kumar, Vice President, ACAAI, said, “ACAAI represents the voice of freight forwarders, consolidators, and logistics service providers in key policy forums. Our role is to ensure alignment between private sector needs and government policies — whether it is customs modernisation, digital transformation, or infrastructure planning. We engage regularly with MoCA, DGFT, DPIIT, DGCA, BCAS, CBDT and CBIT to ensure that cargo-specific concerns are heard and acted upon. Beyond advocacy, we support capacity building, training, and information-sharing across the ecosystem.”

Kuehne+Nagel (KN) is planning to invest in five new fulfilment centres in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Nagpur, Mumbai and Rajpura, adding 100,000 sqm of capacity, stated a company statement. This expansion will increase the company’s fulfilment centre footprint in India to nearly 500,000 sqm. The new fulfilment centres are equipped with technologies, such as telescopic conveyors and high-performance sorting systems, enabling a 75 per cent increase in peak order handling capacity. The fulfilment centres have come up in Mumbai and Kolkata, Gurugram, Nagpur, and Rajpura. They are aligned with India’s multicity industrial growth. Gurugram and Nagpur continue to evolve as growth hubs for multiple industries, while Rajpura, is gaining traction in manufacturing and distribution.

Aeroprime Group was recognised for its outstanding performance and operational excellence by winning the Leading Cargo GSSA of the Year Award at the India Cargo Awards 2025, held recently in New Delhi. The accolade underscores the firm’s commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and customer-centric cargo services in India’s dynamic air cargo sector.  

Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO & MD, Aviapro Logistic Services, stressing the industry’s focus on skill development and digital transformation, said “The industry is engaged in upskilling its workforce through targeted training in automation, AI, and digital tools — WMS and e-documentation.” Firms are partnering with tech providers and institutions to offer certification programmes, workshops, and on-the-job training, with focus on digital literacy, data analytics, and process optimisation to build a future-ready, tech-savvy workforce. “Logistics firms must collaborate with academia and skill varsities by co-developing industry-aligned curricula, offering real-world case studies, and facilitating internships or apprenticeships.”

Air cargo expert Jalpa H. Vithalani was honoured with the Women Business Professional of the Year Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025 in New Delhi. Recognised for her outstanding contributions to the air cargo and logistics sector, Jalpa’s leadership and expertise continue to inspire professionals across the industry.  

The global air cargo market is projected to see 3 to 4 per cent demand growth in 2025 based on current trading conditions, according to industry analysts Xeneta.  “Over the past two months, air cargo benefited from ‘piggybacking’ on global uncertainty, whether through frontloading supply chains or shifting from ocean to air to move goods faster before tariffs took effect,” said Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer, Xeneta. “September’s figures suggest this trend is easing as stability returns to major corridors and global trade becomes less turbulent,” he added. After unexpectedly strong volumes over the summer, September’s data signalled a slowdown as the industry headed into the final quarter. Marking the start of the peak season, September recorded just over 3 per cent year-on-year growth, matching capacity expansion, compared with over 5 per cent growth in July and August. Month-on-month volumes rose by a modest 3 per cent.