Exploring the potential of AEO benefits, to leverage technology and industrial collaboration, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) President C K Govil and Vice President Samir J Shah participated in FIATA HQ meeting in Geneva. ACAAI will now host FIATA RAP Meeting in India in 2025, said its official LinkedIn Post. The FIATA HQ Meeting 2024 provided a platform for industry leaders to converge and chart the course for the future of air cargo. “Our deliberations delved into the intricacies of enhancing security measures while facilitating smoother trade processes, a balance crucial for the efficiency of global supply chains,” shared Shah. “Exploring the potential of AEO benefits and PLACI, we sought to leverage technology and collaboration to streamline customs procedures and mitigate risks in the air cargo ecosystem. These initiatives not only ensure compliance with regulatory requirements but also foster greater transparency and accountability across the supply chain. The insights gained from our discussions at FIATA HQ Meeting 2024 will undoubtedly shape the future of air cargo operations, paving the way for greater efficiency, security, and reliability in global trade.”

CharterSync co-founder Simon Watson has launched a new software that will provide cargo charter firms with operational charter information in a single platform. Aerios will be a separate company from CharterSync and will join the CargoTech group, which invests in air cargo technology companies. The Aerios software will connect carriers, brokers and charter professionals on a single platform. “By replacing disparate systems and manual processes with a single digital workflow, Aerios aims to address long-standing inefficiencies that have hampered the industry,” the company said in a press release. The company explained that previously, information related to a charter operation could be scattered, slowing down the decision-making process. Watson explained: “We created Aerios to fill a glaring gap in the air cargo charter industry. Our software does more than just digitalise existing operations; it transforms them, giving access to operational data and market intelligence in real-time. “This means fewer errors, faster and more informed decisions, allowing our clients to scale their operation in a cost-efficient manner, whilst driving for increased revenue.” The software will centralise communication, provide real-time data analysis to aid decision-making, and provide increased visibility on capacity and data. Watson launched online charter flight booking portal CharterSync along with Ed Gillett back in 2019.

Qatar Airways Cargo has opened the world’s largest air cargo animal facility at its Doha hub to meet the rising volumes of animals being transported through the airport. The new facility measures 5,260 sq m compared with 4,000 sq m at the previous animal operation. It offers 140 dog kennels, 40 cat kennels, 24 horse stables in four separate zones and special areas for day-old chicks, birds, fish, reptiles and exotic animals. It differs from most airport animal facilities in that it mainly caters for transit shipments and therefore has dedicated rooms for transit and import/export shipments, which have different customs formalities to complete. The facility also has a large area to handle cattle with pens for vets to examine sheep if required. The cattle area is air conditioned so cattle charters can be transported during the day, rather than just in the evening as with the previous facility. There are also airside and landside docks for trucks and dollies, the capacity for the induction of 47 ULDs simultaneously, five ULD rooms for built pallets and one room for pallet build and break. The animal areas are temperature controlled and in certain rooms music is piped in to help calm the animals during their time in the facility. There are also rooms that can be used flexibly during times of high demand – for instance during the peak falcon season when more than 200 of the birds can be handled in a single day. Vets work at the facility 24 hours a day to help ensure the animals’ well being.

NDR Warehousing on Thursday inaugurated a facility in Pune at an investment of Rs 95 crore. The facility is being leased out to an Indian multinational tyre manufacturer, NDR Warehousing said in a statement. Spanning 4 lakh square feet, the new warehousing facility is a part of the company’s expansion plan, with ongoing or planned acquisitions of over 80 acre in Pune, NDR Warehousing said. Image: Official Website

KPMG India and Arkieva, a global leader in supply chain planning solutions, announced a strategic alliance to deliver successful supply chain transformation projects. The alliance will look to help businesses unlock the complete potential of their supply chains and enable smarter, resilient, and future-ready supply chain ecosystems. From planning to delivering, Arkieva’s technology and advanced analytics enabled supply chain planning solutions combined with KPMG in India’s strength in Business Consulting, the alliance will help businesses plan more proactively and enable them to have a clear single view over the entire supply chain which includes [Demand, Supply and S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning visibility)]. Also, it will help optimize assets to lower costs, enable faster decision-making and capitalize more quickly on market opportunities. In line with the above, supply chain leaders are now recognizing the increasing need for intelligent supply chain platforms which could be a game changer, with all that they bring to the table. With insights and the full power of data, intelligent supply chains enable strategic decision making, with the key being to combine resilience and agility to mitigate disruptions, while remaining customer centric. Powered by deep functional and technical knowledge, this combined offering of KPMG in India and Arkieva will enable businesses to take huge strides not just in planning, but also drive collaboration through aligned decision making with access to a wide pool of resources. Sharing his views on the announcement, Akshat Bal Dikshit, Associate Partner, Business Consulting, KPMG in India said “The supply chain landscape is on the cusp of profound transformation today. AI and other advanced technologies are quickly reshaping the very core of supply chain management. Businesses that embrace technology will be much …

“Construction of several highways and expressways have facilitated a seamless movement of cargo from towns to the airports thereby trimming total time consumed in road transportation, says Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo. He adds, “Upgradation of domestic airports and having them equipped with essential infra apart from in-house functional process needs to be considered to achieve the desired results. The government’s initiatives have initiated several moves to ensure improvisation of multimodal transportation and connectivity. India launched PMGS to herald a new chapter in governance. PMGS brings 16 ministries, including Railways and Roadways, together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity. It will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various ministries and state governments such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN. Economic zones such as textile and pharma clusters, defence corridors, electronic parks, industrial corridors, fishing clusters, and agri zones will also be covered to improve connectivity and make Indian businesses competitive.”

Menzies Aviation has extended its deal with Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysia Airlines covering cargo, passenger and ramp handling for the carrier in the Australia/New Zealand region. The deal has been extended for a further five years and covers the Menzies stations at Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL), Adelaide Airport (ADL), Perth Airport (PER) and Auckland Airport (AKL). London, UK-headquartered Menzies has supported Malaysia Airlines with a range of services at these locations since 2016. The handler has said that it expects to handle a total of 3,200 flights across the five locations each year until 2029, when the extended contract is due to expire. Menzies executive vice president – Oceania & South East Asia, Darren Masters, commented: “The renewal of this agreement is a reflection on the strong strategic partnership that has developed between Menzies and Malaysia Airlines over the course of eight years.” Aslina Ahmad Asiri, global head of operations at Malaysia Airlines, added: “The contract extension is a testament of a great partnership and the trust that MAB [Malaysia Airlines Berhad] has forged with Menzies over the last eight years. “Menzies has always been supportive of MAB operations throughout [the] ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region despite the challenges post Covid-19. “Menzies has continuously engaged MAB to address these challenges and enforce their utmost commitment to support MAB’s plan to grow the ANZ operations. “It is comforting to work with a highly professional entity that understand the business needs and ever willing to listen to feedback from their customers.”

Global air freight rates were slightly changed in the week to April 22, according to the latest data from TAC Index, the leading price reporting agency on air freight markets. The overall Baltic Air Freight Index calculated by TAC was up a tad (+0.1 percent), leaving it at -8.2 percent over 12 months – a second successive week of little change after a series of rises over the previous six weeks. There was little evidence of any immediate impact on prices caused by severe rain in the Middle East and disruption in major hubs like Dubai, the update added. “Rates on the big lanes out of China continued to edge upwards, buoyed by the continuing rise of e-commerce. The index of outbound routes from Hong Kong gained another 1.4 percent WoW to put it ahead by 11.8 percent YoY. Outbound Shanghai gained 2.4 percent WoW to put it up 12 percent YoY. Rates out of Vietnam fell back a bit after recent strong gains, and rates out of India were fairly flat overall after an even stronger surge in recent months.” Out of Europe, the market continued to be weak, and the index of outbound routes from Frankfurt declined 3.7 percent WoW with declining rates on most major lanes pulling it down to -38.3 percent YoY. Outbound London dropped 7.9 percent WoW. From the Americas, rates from outbound Chicago were also softer, down 2.5 percent WoW to leave the index at -31.3 percent YoY. Overall rates from the U.S. were falling again to China but rising both to Europe and to South America, the update added.

Nikhil Agarwal, President, CJ Darcl Logistics says, “The Indian logistics sector is poised for significant growth, with the market expected to see a major transformation. Government initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and NLP are driving this progress by focusing on infrastructure development and reducing logistics costs. This includes projects like Bharatmala (roads), Sagarmala (shipping), Udan (airports), and Dedicated Freight Corridors (rail). India’s logistics journey is still maneuvering its way through infrastructure gaps, limited digitalization requiring increased investment in roads, rails, and supply chain visibility. But, by embracing sustainable practices such as prioritising electric vehicles and green infrastructure development, the government can create a logistics network that’s both efficient and environmentally responsible. We, at CJ DARCL, are committed to devising strategic initiatives and are actively exploring and monitoring our carbon emissions by implementing sustainable practices by deploying electric vehicles as a pilot for short haul intracity/short haul movement and strategically placed warehouses with advanced WMS (warehouse management system) for better allocation and enhanced route optimization. While achieving net zero emissions by 2070 presents an ambitious challenge, India’s booming logistics sector can be a powerful engine for sustainable growth.”

“India’s logistics sector plays a crucial role in its economic framework and is currently undergoing a transformative shift towards multimodal transportation. In 2024, the government’s strategic interventions aim to enhance efficiency and reduce logistical costs, historically at 14% of GDP, above the global average,” shares Xerrxes Master, President, AMTOI. “Key infrastructure projects like the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) have made strides yet face challenges in integration and digital upgrades. The focus on rural road quality under Bharatmala and growth in air cargo volumes signify progress, albeit with challenges such as regulatory complexities and uneven technology adoption. Looking ahead, addressing operational inefficiencies, embracing digital transformation, and prioritizing sustainability is imperative. Collaborative efforts and innovation will propel India towards global logistics leadership, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and sustainable network. This evolution is characterized by significant government initiatives and infrastructure development, offering both challenges and promises.”