Astral Aviation has appointed two General Sales Agent (GSA) to enhance global presence and service delivery in Europe, USA, and China. The firm has appointed Network Aviation Group as the GSA for Europe and the United States of America, whereas HIT Cargo Asia will serve as the GSA for mainland People’s Republic of China. Network Aviation Group, with its extensive experience and established presence in Europe and the United States, will play a pivotal role in strengthening Astral Aviation’s cargo operations. Also, HIT Cargo Asia will represent Astral Aviation in mainland China. The cargo carrier’s comprehensive market knowledge and operational expertise will ensure efficient and reliable service delivery to users in China. “We are delighted to partner with Network Aviation Group as our GSA for Europe and the USA. Their deep understanding of the air cargo industry and their commitment to excellence make them the ideal partner to represent our interests and serve users in these key markets. Also, “Mainland China is a vital market for our global operations, and we are excited to work with HIT Cargo Asia. Their reputation for reliability and excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to provide world-class cargo solutions.”,” Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO, Astral Aviation, said.

Network Airline Management (NAM) continues to strengthen and expand its fleet of aircraft by adding a further B747-400F production freighter to its ranks. The additional nose-loading aircraft, registered as TF-AKG, joined NAM’s fleet at the end of last year. The addition of this aircraft further enhances NAM’s ability to meet the growing demand for air cargo transportation around the world, particularly for large and specialised shipments. As of January 2025, the NAM fleet operates three B747 production freighter, nose door aircraft, plus a B747-400BDSF converted freighter aircraft. “Adding another B747 nose door aircraft to our fleet is a step in the right direction to becoming an all-production freighter fleet. This latest addition is an ex-China Airlines Cargo freighter which has already begun delivering world-class cargo services. Renowned for its exceptional range, payload capacity, and reliability, the Boeing 747 is the ultimate workhorse for global air cargo operations,” Jonathan Clark, CEO, Network Aviation Group, said.

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone (Adani Ports) in its January report, has announced that the total cargo volumes handled in the month stood at 39.9 MMT. This is the highest single month figure ever for Adani Ports. Adani Ports saw a demand growth of 13 per cent YoY, which was supported by containers (32 per cent increase), and liquids and gas (18 per cent increase). For YTD 2025, Adani Ports has handled 372.2 MMT of cargo, with a robust demand growth of 7 per cent YoY. The growth is majorly contributed by containers (a 20 per cent increase), and liquids and gas (9 per cent increase). For YTD 2025, logistics rail volumes reached 0.53 million twenty-foot equivalent units, with an increase in demand growth of 9 per cent YoY.

The Guwahati Airport has reported a 35 per cent YoY growth in total domestic cargo handled at the airport. To boost the flow of local products from North-East region and support e-commerce, the airport is now planning to set up an integrated cargo terminal. The growth in the cargo movements is spearheaded by Blue Dart, which commenced its operations on the airport in January 2024. Currently, Blue Dart is the only airline to carry out cargo operations from Guwahati and it flies its Boeing 737 freighter five times in a week. A total of 21 tonnes of capacity is being carried out each way by Blue Dart. The Guwahati Airport has handled 19,914 tonnes of domestic cargo from April to December last year.  

Kaushalya Logistics has boosted its operations with start of logistics operations at the new facility in Bathnaha, Bihar, under CCFA model for Adani Cement Group. The new facility raises the total operational sites of Kaushalya Logistics to 90 and marks the establishment of 4 depot under the CCFA model for ACC. The new facility will ensure effective logistics solutions for cement manufacturers and strengthen Kaushalya Logistics’ presence across the country. The firm has a vision to further enhance its portfolio and expects to handle cargo volume of 3 lakh metric tonnes of cement monthly. “We are pleased to announce the commencement of operations at our new depot in Bathnaha, Bihar. This expansion enhances our operational network to 90 locations and reinforces our strategic focus on the cement industry,” Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director, Kaushalya Logistics.

Oman Cargo has extended collaboration with Jettainer for next four years to manage the fleet of currently around 2,000 ULDs tailored to the needs of the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, contributing to increased revenue, sustainability, flexibility, and reduced costs. Oman Air has benefitted from Jettainer’s ULD management services since 2017, together they have navigated challenges such as the Covid pandemic, and adapted nimbly to changes during these years, including the network, schedules, and fleet. “Jettainer has been our partner of choice for ULD management for several years now, and their expertise and services have ensured that we are always optimally supplied with ULDs. The combination of innovative solutions, excellent customer service, and absolute reliability convinces us that Jettainer is the right partner for us now and in the future,” Michael Duggan, Vice President Cargo, Oman Air, said.

NX Logistics India has opened a new warehouse in Hoskote in eastern Bengaluru and launched operations there with Zepto, stated an official press release. The new warehousing facility, spread around an area of 16,608 sq. m, is strategically located in eastern Bengaluru to enhance logistics efficiency in the region. It will be used for the storage and distribution of food, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and household goods, and staffed by a team dedicated to maintaining high operational standards in all warehouse operations, including receiving/shipping, picking, and packing. The warehouse will also utilize data analytics to optimize logistics workflow and help strengthen Zepto’s supply chains in the Bengaluru area. The NX Group will be further expanding its logistics functions in India as well as international transport services utilizing its global network to help users enhance their business activities and boost strong presence in the market.

Rizwan Soomar, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, DP World Middle East North Africa and India Subcontinent, says, “The Union Budget will significantly enhance ease of doing business, workforce skilling and manufacturing competitiveness with its continued focus on development of maritime infrastructure, domestic air connectivity, development of dedicated rail freight corridors (DFCs) and large-scale port modernisation. The government’s commitment to inland water transport through the tonnage tax scheme will provide a more sustainable and cost-effective way of cargo movement. The Bharat Trade Net aims at simplifying trade documentation and will help optimise supply chains through data-driven decision-making. The INR 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund will enhance financial stability and competitiveness for Indigenous shipbuilding and other infrastructure projects encouraging private investments. The extension of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) exemption for raw materials in shipbuilding and shipbreaking is a significant step, reducing dependency on imports.”  

Saudia Cargo has reported a robust growth of 13 per cent in cargo volumes in 2024 as compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Also, the airline recorded a 27 per cent increase in growth of total transported weight. Saudia Cargo carried 5,77,870 tonnes of air cargo in 2024, conducting a total number of 1,93,599 flights. The growth was mainly driven by e-commerce volumes, which surged 23 per cent to 64,107 tonnes. The airline also transported 13,740 tonnes of locally produced goods, resulting in a 14 per cent YoY growth. “Our 2024 results reflect our steadfast dedication to delivering innovative and agile cargo solutions that drive global trade and adapt to market dynamics. We remain focused on growth, strengthening partnerships, and providing advanced solutions to users. By prioritising sustainability and operational excellence, we are steadily progressing toward our goal of ranking among the world’s top 10 air cargo carriers by 2030,” Eng. Loay Mashabi, CEO and Managing Director, Saudia Cargo, said.  

Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, says “As India marches toward becoming a USD 5 trillion economy, the logistics sector stands at the forefront of enabling this transformation. The Union Budget 2025-26 presents an opportunity to enhance the sector’s contribution by prioritizing investments in freight train speeds, expanding Dedicated Freight Corridors, and improving multimodal infrastructure for industries such as mining, steel, and cement. With the National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti driving progress, we look forward to robust capital expenditure on physical and digital infrastructure, along with technology integration and sustainability measures, to strengthen logistics efficiency and elevate India’s industrial competitiveness on a global scale.”