Air cargo continued to grow in August as volumes grew again, but the outlook for remainder of the year remains uncertain, according to the latest data by Xeneta, said Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer. The latest figures show air cargo demand to have increased by a ‘surprise’ 5 per cent year-on-year in August, the second month in a row demand has grown at this level. “Air cargo’s higher demand is the result of the modal shift we witnessed in July, with a bit of support from e-commerce. It is not an indicator of increased economic activity,” van de Wouw added. Xeneta stated the increase in demand is likely to reflect as businesses look to move goods quickly by air rather than sea to avoid the impact of tariffs. Capacity also increased by 4 per cent year-on-year in August and the DLF was down slightly at 56 per cent. It was not all good news for air cargo as the average spot rate for the month declined by 3 per cent year-on-year to US$ 2.55 per kg. Xenata stated air freight spot rate performance was a better indicator of the underlying economic conditions than the volumes.

Rizwan Soomar, CEO & Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa & India Subcontinent, DP World said, “The Union Finance Minister’s new GST structure streamlines tax rates, benefiting daily essentials and key sectors, which will stimulate consumer demand and domestic consumption. This uptick in market activity directly translates into increased trade volumes leading to heightened demand for logistics across supply chains and offering opportunities to optimise operations and scale efficiently. The landmark reform will catalyse the central government’s thrust on reducing logistics costs by lowering GST on trucks, tyres, cement, steel, reducing freight, and infrastructure costs and creating efficiencies across supply chains. The transformative move to strengthen India’s supply chain backbone and accelerate infrastructure growth will reinforce confidence in India’s growth story and position the economy for sustained momentum. DP World is equipped to support this momentum through our integrated end-to-end solutions. Spanning ports, terminals, pan-India rail freight link, cold chain warehousing, digital trade enablement, and trade finance expertise, we drive seamless and efficient movement of goods across sectors that stand to benefit directly from the tax rate rationalisation.”

The wait is over as Delhi plays host to the much-awaited India Cargo Awards, a platform that celebrates the professionals of the cargo and logistics industry, on 8 September. The awards ceremony recognises outstanding contributions, pathbreaking innovations that continue to drive growth and resilience in India’s supply chain ecosystem. India Cargo Awards is an all-India platform to recognise the achievers of the air cargo industry. It is India’s first internet voting based award hence the results are fair and unbiased. These awards are supported by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, trade bodies, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), Domestic Air Cargo Agents Association of India (DACAAI), Express Industry Council in India (EICI), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association in India (FFFAI).

The much-anticipated India Cargo Awards are set to take place this Monday, bringing together the stalwarts of the cargo, logistics and air freight industry under one roof. Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the sector, the awards recognise outstanding achievements, innovation and leadership that continue to drive growth in India’s logistics ecosystem. From air cargo operators and freight forwarders to ground handling agents, shipping companies and logistics service providers, industry leaders will be felicitated for their contribution to efficiency, connectivity and global trade competitiveness. The event will serve as more than just a celebration — it will also be a platform to network, exchange ideas and acknowledge the vital role played by cargo and logistics professionals in strengthening India’s position in global supply chains. With the presence of distinguished guests, policymakers and industry veterans, the evening promises to be a memorable one as we honour those who are shaping the future of India’s cargo and logistics sector.

Silk Way West airline has officially taken delivery of its latest Boeing 777 freighter as part of its fleet renewal programme to expand global operations. The B777F was delivered directly from the Boeing factory in Seattle and is the third, out of five aircraft ordered back in 2021.  The remaining freighters will be delivered by 2030 and will gradually replace older aircraft in the fleet to improve operational efficiency. As well as its order for 777Fs, the airline also has orders for two Airbus A350Fs and two Boeing 777-8Fs, which are also due for delivery by 2030. “This step aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to meet its environmental goals, including reducing carbon emissions and improving fuel efficiency across its operations,” the airline said in a press release.

  Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport said, “Enhancing international connectivity through double-dipping for freighters is vital.” He added, “Streamlining customs via a digital single window and expanding the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) across airports will enable faster, paperless processing. Export growth can be supported by government-backed packhouses, irradiation facilities and plant quarantine units near airports. Promoting green logistics and implementing a uniform GST for multimodal cargo will encourage sustainable and integrated transport.”  Panicker also stressed that, “Investment in air and rail corridors will improve hinterland connectivity. These reforms collectively address infrastructure gaps, improve operational efficiency and support India’s ambition to become a global air cargo leader.”

The much-awaited 10th edition of Indian Cargo Awards 2025 is back to felicitate the ‘Heroes’ of the Indian air cargo and logistics fraternity. Known as the ‘Oscars of the Industry,’ the award function is being hosted by DDP Group (Cargo Talk) in New Delhi on 8 September 2025.  The award function serves as an all-India platform created with a vision to recognise skills and excellence across various domains, including air, road, rail, allied services, warehousing, technology, 3PL and more. The award ceremony stands as a proud moment to celebrate the visionaries, innovators and dedicated professionals of the air cargo and logistics industry. It is an occasion to recognise their relentless efforts, resilience and contribution in driving efficiency, fostering trade and strengthening India’s position in the global supply chain. By felicitating these trailblazers, we not only honour their achievements but also inspire the industry to continue embracing excellence, technology and sustainability in shaping the future of logistics. The upcoming award function is a moment of pride and celebration for the air cargo and logistics industry, bringing together leaders, professionals and innovators who have been instrumental in shaping the sector’s growth.

The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) formally launched its Andhra Pradesh Chapter in Visakhapatnam, in the presence of the Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh. The event was also graced by B.C. Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Infrastructure & Investment and T.G. Bharat, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The launch witnessed an overwhelming response, bringing together over 350 delegates, including senior leaders from the air cargo, logistics, trade and industry bodies. The formation of the Andhra Pradesh Chapter marks a significant milestone in strengthening the State’s position as a growing hub for air cargo and logistics in India. As part of the proceedings, the ACFI Board actively participated in the CEO Roundtable, where critical industry issues such as the Open Sky Policy and Double Dipping were raised. On behalf of ACFI, Sanjiv Edward, President of ACFI and Satish Lakkaraju, Chairman – Outreach Pillar & Partnerships, made strong representations on these matters. The discussions were well received by the Chief Minister, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting the industry. Sanjiv Edward, President ACFI, said, “The launch of the Andhra Pradesh Chapter is a major step towards enhancing the State’s role in India’s air cargo growth story. With ACFI’s vision of acting as a catalyst for air cargo growth and the Govt’s focus on developing integrated logistics hubs, we are confident that Andhra Pradesh will emerge as a leader in logistics on the Eastern side.” Satish Lakkaraju, Chairman – Outreach Pillar & Partnerships, ACFI, said, “Our discussions with the Chief Minister on critical issues like the Open Sky Policy and Double Dipping reflect ACFI’s commitment to addressing industry challenges and enabling sustainable growth.”

According to the latest figures from the Baltic Exchange Airfreight Index, which uses TAC Index data based on spot and contract pricing, airfreight rates on key trade lanes out of Hong Kong continued to reflect the quieter summer period in August, ahead of a predicted pick up for the peak season.  The data showed that rates from Hong Kong to North America picked up slightly in August, increasing to $5.29 per kg compared with $5.11 per kg in July. From Hong Kong to Europe, rates were down slightly in August at $4.26 per kg compared with $4.39 per kg a month earlier. Rates on both trades were down on a year ago, prices from Hong Kong to North America were 11.2 per cent down year on year in August, while to Europe they were 3.8 per cent down. The decrease from last year’s levels reflects weaker demand levels and lower jet-fuel prices. In its end of August weekly market update, TAC Index said rates on a global basis had been flat in August due to the quieter summer period. “Despite reports of continuing high demand in certain sectors ranging from garments and pharma to electronics and semiconductors as well as capacity constraints causing delays in certain markets, overall rates were still flat to down as the traditionally quieter summer ‘low season’ continued,” TAC said.

Euler Motors has signed MoU with Pickkup.io for 200 electric four-wheeler cargo vehicles. The fleet will be deployed across to support high-frequency intracity logistics and last-mile delivery operations. This agreement marks the third phase of deliveries under the ongoing partnership between the two companies. Euler Motors has already delivered 25 vehicles. Ankush Sharma, Co-founder & CEO, Pickkup.io, said, “This marks the third delivery phase under our ongoing MoU with Euler. What sets them apart is their on-time services and openness to feedback. The service ecosystem they’ve built is solid and we’re already in discussions to scale up with additional units in the future. This journey and its achievements are the result of joint efforts by everyone who has contributed in their own way — our driver partners, ground team, admin team and operations team — each working with their fullest dedication to make our services seamless and our customer experience exceptional, all under the banner of Pickkup.”