Kuehne+Nagel has signed a three-year logistics service contract with GMR Aero Technic, a subsidiary of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited. With the contract, Kuehne+Nagel will focus on inbound and outbound international air logistics needs, reduce downtime and 24×7 AOG support for GMR Aero Technic. GMR Aero Technic has been constantly upgrading its capabilities and expanding its service offerings to meet the growing maintenance needs of airline operators within and outside India with a vision to be a lead MRO in the Asia Pacific region. The Indian MRO industry is expected to grow to US$ 4.0 billion by 2031 and with more than 1,000 new aircraft orders, India is likely to become the 3rd largest buyer of commercial passenger planes in the world. Coen van der Maarel, Managing Director, Kuehne+Nagel India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives said, “We have been supporting GMR Aero Technic with expertise over the last few years by providing them with aircraft maintenance solutions in a timely, cost-effective manner. We are delighted and look forward to adding value to their operations and meeting their international logistics requirements. Technological advancements and disruptions are expected to accelerate the industry’s evolution, and Kuehne+Nagel will continue to be an innovative and committed business partner to GMR Aero Technic. Ashok Gopinath, CEO, of GMR Aero Technic, said, ‘We are delighted to continue our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel. Kuehne+Nagel has proven to be a reliable partner of choice for aircraft maintenance logistics. Their commitment towards AOG deliverables remained unaffected even during the pandemic. GMR Aero Technic continues investing in upgrading and expanding their service offerings for aerospace customers, and our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel serves that priority.’

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited (GIL), welcomed the first batch of transshipment cargo from Bangladesh, paving the way for a faster and cost-effective route of shipping export cargo internationally. The first batch of cargo, which left Dhaka on February 26, 2023, arrived at Delhi Airport today and will leave for its destined location in Spain on March 5, 2023. Delhi Airport received approval from the Government of India on February 7, 2023, allowing DIAL to serve as a Cargo Transshipment hub between Bangladesh and other global destinations for export cargo. The decision by the government is expected to boost the national economy while reducing the shipment cost significantly for manufacturers and increasing the daily export of international cargo via Delhi Airport including ready-made garments (RMG), handlooms, footwear, leather products, jute products, and pharmaceuticals. Over the years, Bangladesh has emerged as a global manufacturing hub for ready-made garments. The new route of transportation is further expected to create new vistas of opportunity for the South Asian country. Since Bangladeshi manufacturers rely heavily on India for raw materials including threads, textiles, jute, leather, and pharmaceutical raw material, any boost in exports will directly result in an increase in demand for produced-in-India raw materials in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi RMG products are especially in demand in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, parts of Eurasia, and in the USA. With Delhi Airport’s direct connectivity to most European nations, this route will further boost the Indian government’s initiative of helping reach countries of the Indian sub-continent to their full potential. The transshipment cargo will reach from Dhaka to Delhi, via the Bangladesh-India border at Benapole-Petrapol, said …

Pradhaan Air Express operated its maiden relief flight to Adana, Turkey for Chapman Freeborn. The Aircraft operated with a technical stop at AL Maktoum Airport, also marking the first-ever flight by the A320 Freighter to Dubai World Central Airport. The Airline is grateful to MOCA, DGCA, BCAS in India, GCAA UAE and DGCA Turkey for their assistance at short notice in enabling this operation. The aircraft with 20.4 tons of available capacity remains available for the transportation of urgent materials across the region. The operation of the World’s first and only A320 Freighter from Delhi to Adana is also a reflection of strengthening India-Turkey ties. The Airline believes it was India’s first private cargo airline to operate a freighter for emergency relief supplies to Turkey.

Ukrainian Antonov Airlines, in cooperation with Air Charter Service, provided an urgent air cargo transport solution to move oversized solar turbine from San Bernandino, USA to Avalon, Australia on board an AN-124-100 aircraft. The cargo journey took four days, said an official release. “The total weight of the cargo was 67 tonnes including additional equipment and solar turbine weighting 35.5 tonnes, 11.33 metre length and 3.63 metre height. The size of the cargo determined the AN-124-100 aircraft type is the only option for transporting the unit by air. For loading and unloading the turbine on the stand ,the special ramp system for tall cargoes was used, designed by in-house Antonov`s engineers as well as onboard winch. The external cranes for cargoes up to 100 tonnes were provided by Air Charter Service at both airports.” After successful delivery to the Avalon airport, Air Charter Service took care of transporting the cargo to Winchelsea, Victoria where the solar turbine and additional equipment will be used at the gas compressor expansion plant, the release added. “One of the airports on the route was extremely loaded to provide us a technical stop, therefore we had to find another one urgently,” says Olha Danylova, Commercial Executive, Antonov Airlines. “Taking into consideration the strict deadline on arriving at the destination, both teams showed flexibility and rapidly arranged the alternative route. Thanks to well-coordinated work, we completed the project in time.” Jack Emanuel, Cargo Team Leader, Air Charter Service adds: “We are delighted to work with Antonov Airlines on this crucial project for the energy sector as the global experts for heavy lift cargo transporting. It was a pleasure to work with Antonov`s team, their expertise and …

NCR based Industrial and Logistics real estate developer Pragati Group, has raised $200 Million of equity capital from a Private Equity fund based in Singapore. Pragati has been offering customized warehouse development solutions since its inception in 2010 to top MNCs like Amazon India, Flipkart, DHL-Bluedart, Bosch, Daikin, and many more. The Singapore based fund has committed to invest $200 Million with Pragati Group towards development of industrial and logistics real estate assets as per the deal signed in Q3 FY 2022. Part of the deal involved acquisition of 2 international grade operational assets of approx. 2 million sft of GLA in NCR, Pragati One & Pragati Farukhnagar Logistics Parks, providing successful exit to the previous financial partner Morgan Stanley. Part of the deal also saw this fund acquire an equity stake in Pragati. Col. Jitender Yadav, Founder of Pragati Group said, “Pragati’s vision is to be one of the top 5 industrial & logistics real estate developers in the country by developing a portfolio spanning 30 million sq.ft across key Tier I and Tier II Indian cities with best in class Grade A specifications and with sustainability and ESG at the heart of our business. Pragati has an excellent track record of working with world class companies like Amazon, Flipkart, DHL, Daikin, Bosch etc. and this capital will enable us to expand to other major cities in India.”

Coldman Logistics has launched its all new all purpose warehouse of 9,000 Pallets capacity near JNPT Port, this is the company’s second launch for the year; with this launch Coldman is now available at 14 cities with 1,00,000+ Pallets position across the country, said company’s official Linkedin post. “Our new facility is equipped with the latest technology, providing us with the capacity to store more products and streamline our operations. This expansion is a result of our dedication to providing exceptional service to our customers and our commitment to meeting your evolving needs. The warehouse is strategically located just 11 KM away from JNPT Port, making it easier for us to access major transportation routes, EXIM cargos ultimately resulting in faster and more reliable deliveries. Our new facility is an environmentally conscious facility, with sustainable practices implemented throughout our operations. This includes energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and an efficient use of resources, which aligns with our company’s commitment to sustainability. We continue to offer you, our customers, the same high-quality products and services that is synonymous with our name, but with improved efficiency and speed. We are grateful for your continued trust in our brand, and we look forward to serving you from our new facility,” said post.

FedEx Express has expanded its Stuttgart Air Gateway air cargo facility and commissioned a new sorter at the site. The new setup improves handling speed and capacity, helping to meet export and import demand from customers in the region. In addition to more than tripling sorting capacity, the facility offers an almost fivefold increase in capacity for X-raying airfreight shipments, said FedEx. The warehouse, which has been expanded from 800 sq m to 3,000 sq m, also enables better handling of freight and dangerous goods. Stuttgart Air Gateway is currently connected to FedEx’s main European hub, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, with four outbound and four inbound flights a week. This route is flown with a B737 freighter. An ATR 72 turboprop will be used on another route between Stuttgart and Liège. “The expansion is further evidence of our growth strategy in Europe. We have invested to offer our customers in the region even more service and opportunities. FedEx Express is a strong partner and supports large, medium-sized and smaller companies to grow their business,” said Stefan Dries, FedEx Express vice president ground operations Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Qantas Group plans to add “three additional” Airbus A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft to help Qantas Freight meet air cargo demand. According to a statement from the Group, the aircraft will help “maintain required capacity despite manufacturer delays to new aircraft” and “burn up to 25% less fuel than the models they replace”. However, the Group did not specify when these freighters would arrive, which company would be converting them, or whether they were already converted, and where they would operate. In August 2022, Qantas Freight said it would increase its domestic fleet with six Airbus A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft to meet growing e-commerce demand from its customers. The Australian airfreight carrier said the A321s, which are expected to progressively arrive between 2024 and mid-2026, will be sourced on the open market and converted to freighters.

Airport operator Fraport is trialling an autonomous cargo tractor at Frankfurt Airport as it considers automating some operations. The aim of the trial, which will last several weeks, is to determine whether an autonomous vehicle can support regular baggage and cargo operations on the apron. The electric vehicle will operate on an eight km test route within Frankfurt Airport’s secure area, starting in the eastern section of the apron in the baggage handling facility at terminal two, before heading southwards and approaching the future terminal 3. “The trial section is divided into three components, each of which present particular challenges for the autonomous vehicle,” Fraport said. “These include operations inside the baggage handling facility amidst other traffic and people, as well as in the open where there are few other vehicles. “To ensure the outcome reflects real-life conditions with sufficient complexity, the test drives will take place both during the day and at night, in different types of weather.” The vehicle will operate at a maximum speed of 13 km and will tow a maximum of three baggage trailers or two large cargo trailers. A safety driver who has received special training and certification for the project will be present on each test drive in case of emergencies.

Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, is collaborating with dnata, to enable a digitally driven gate control mechanism for shipments at the cargo handling terminals at Dubai South’s premises, which will be completed in less than a minute,” said a release from Dubai South. “Companies based at the Logistics District freezone and mainland as well as movers who transport goods to other ports will benefit substantially.” The collaboration involves the integration of Masary, an e-gate pass system by Dubai South, with dnata’s appointment & dock management, a system used by dnata’s clients to apply for appointments to access the free zone for the loading and off-loading of shipments, the release said. “This will ensure a seamless, paperless experience for customers entering and exiting Dubai South gates under dnata’s designated appointment system for goods movement, which will enable faster procedures for customers at the gates, emphasising their satisfaction.”