KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced direct flight services between Hyderabad and Amsterdam starting 2nd September 2025. This new service will make Hyderabad airline’s fourth gateway in India, joining Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai in providing direct flights to Amsterdam and connections beyond, especially for Pharma. KLM will operate three weekly direct flights between Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Hyderabad is known as the “Pharma Capital of India” with more than 800 pharmaceutical companies based in the city and its surrounding areas. This city as is often referred to as “Cyberabad” as it has emerged as one of India’s leading technology and business hubs attracting both global companies and start-ups. Hyderabad offers immense business potential. KLM’s new direct route between Hyderabad and Amsterdam aligns perfectly with the city’s demand for international connectivity specially to Europe and The Americas, catering multiple segments of travellers. This route will be serviced with the Boeing 777-200ER. This aircraft offers 35 seats in World Business Class, 24 seats in Premium Comfort Class and 229 seats in Economy Class. The flights are open for sale, allowing travellers to plan & book their travel in advance. Flight Schedule: • KL874 departs from Hyderabad, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 2:20 local time and arrives at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport the same day at 08:40. • KL873 departs from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at 11:40 and arrives at Hyderabad, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 00:30 local time. Claude Sarre, Country Manager for Air France-KLM in the Indian Sub-Continent, stated, “The Hyderabad-Amsterdam route marks a significant step by KLM towards offering passengers greater connectivity, aligning with the Air France-KLM Group’s vision of expanding its footprint in India. As Hyderabad continues to grow as a major business and technology hub, …

The second edition of Arabian Cargo Awards 2024 concluded with industry captains clinching titles for their contribution. His Excellency Humaid Mohamed Ben Salem, Secretary General, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry, was the Chief Guest, while His Excellency Ahmed Algaizi, Assistant Secretary General, Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry presided over. SanJeet, Mentor, Arabian Cargo Awards spoke about keeping the momentum going in the industry. Arabian Cargo Awards were organised to honour and recognise the hard work of air cargo and logistics industry stakeholders in the Middle East. Held on October 24, at Sofitel Dubai Downtown, the event was a huge success. The awards night honoured and appreciated the hard work of the ‘unsung heroes’ of the Middle East’s Air Cargo and Logistics industry. The event which is set to become the industry’s most prestigious accolade, brought together leading names and key players in the region’s cargo and logistics sector for an evening of celebration and recognition. It served as platform created with a vision to recognise excellence in the Cargo-Freight-Logistics Industry across various domains, including Road, Air, Allied Services, Warehousing and Technology.

Adani Gangavaram Port sets a new record of timber log handling on consecutive days of handling 4,392 metric tons and 4,206 metric tons of timber logs for the vessel MV Mangusta. The port surpassed its previous record of 2,900 metric tons in a single day by 52% on growth. The port has been able to surpass its previous records as management has made strategic investments in infrastructure for efficient cargo handling and railway facilities. The port expects to set further operational records in FY24 and deliver Industry Best Services to its customers. Adani Gangavaram Port’s operational expertise and the capability of its advanced infrastructure, which enables high productivity and prioritizes safety. The port team’s dedication and efficiency underscore the facility’s ongoing commitment to optimizing performance and supporting the growing demands of the shipping and logistics industry. Adani Gangavaram Port said, “We are extremely delighted on this achievement. We at Adani Gangavaram Port always strive to provide the best service to our customers. We offer substantial economic benefits to Indian importers combined with highly efficient port operations and evacuation systems with faster turnaround time & delivery. We are extremely happy to see the trade derive benefits from the modern deep-water infrastructure at the port.”

Softlink Global announced a strategic partnership with Escrow Africa, a Kenyan-based fintech and business solutions company. This collaboration will empower businesses in Kenya and the wider region to optimize their logistics operations and gain a competitive edge. Through this partnership, Escrow Africa becomes the official representative for Softlink Global in Kenya. They will be responsible for marketing, selling, and supporting the entire Softlink product line, including the acclaimed Logi-Sys TMS application. This comprehensive solution equips businesses with a powerful suite of features to manage their transportation needs effectively. Kunal Maheswari, CGO of Softlink Global says, “We’re excited to announce our strategic partnership with Escrow Africa. By joining forces, we’re able to strategically expand the interest and the growth rate of Africa. Together, we’re committed to help and grow our African community.” Joy Kariuki, CEO of Escrow Africa also adds, “By joining forces with Softlink Global, we’re accelerating our growth and expanding our reach into new markets. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and excellence in the booming Africa.”

    Ahead of the 48th anuual convention in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled from 5-8 December, ACAAI President CK Govil shares, that the members are actively working on various significant issues to enhance the operational efficiency, competitiveness, and regulatory environment of the industry. He says, “One of the longstanding concerns of ACAAI members is the high handling and operational costs at major airports in India. Members are pushing for more transparency in the pricing mechanisms of Ground Handling Agents (GHAs) and are advocating for lower handling charges to make Indian airports more competitive. High fuel costs, especially for air cargo, have a significant impact on pricing. ACAAI members are seeking support from authorities for better regulation or reduction in these surcharges, which are often passed on to cargo agents and customers.”

Not even zero growth in November and December can disrupt the global air cargo market from landing a year of unexpected double-digit demand growth in 2024. Healthy volumes of +11% in October and spot rates up +19% year-on-year reflected the growing maturity and balance among buyers and sellers of air cargo capacity, according to the latest market data by Xeneta. A year of constant, unexpected disruptions outside of the industry’s control – which began with a growth forecast as per October 2023 of +1-2% for the full 2024 – is now firmly on course to end on a high in terms of demand. Such conditions traditionally result in winners and losers, but lessons learned and applied by shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines “shows the industry at its best,” says Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer. “The frequency and diversity of ‘storms’ coming the way of the air cargo industry in 2024 mean this year could have been quite messy, but the industry has found a way to navigate these challenges,” he said. “This shows the prep work has paid off as well as the flexibility shown in the industry. We see more emphasis on maintaining relationships than squeezing every last dime of revenue.” While October’s global air cargo spot rate continued to stay elevated – averaging USD 2.68 per kg and just a few cents below 2023’s peak season high – the growth momentum slowed down from +25% in September, due mostly to a high comparison base in October 2023. In terms of the month-on-month trend, October’s spot rate was relatively flat compared to September. The elevated year-on-year growth spot rate was supported by continued double-digit growth (+11%) …

Kaushalya Logistics (KLL) has signed an agreement with Maersk Line under which KLL will manage Maersk Line’s surface transportation requirements throughout India, said release “This collaboration offers KLL the opportunity to leverage Maersk’s extensive network, enhancing its transportation solutions and operational efficiency for clients across various sectors. Through this collaboration, KLL is committed to delivering high-quality surface transportation aligned with Maersk’s global standards,” it added. Partnering with Maersk positions KLL for increased revenue and strengthens ITS position in the Full Truck Load segment.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) announced that it had handled a total of 37.9 MMT cargo in October 2024, keeping the company in the glide path for the guided yearly volume. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the Port handled 257.7 MMT of total cargo, recording a growth of 8 per cent on-year. In a regulatory filing, the company said that the growth was supported by containers which posted a growth of 19 per cent YoY, followed by liquids & gas, which went up by 9 per cent YoY.

Octoloop powered by CargoFlash, now connects its platform from 10 new main cities – Ahmedabad, Goa, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Chennai, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Trivandrum, apart from existing stations, Delhi and Mumbai, empowering businesses in these cities to access Qatar Airways Cargo’s extensive global network. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to simplify cargo logistics and empower businesses in India with more efficient global reach. By expanding to these 12 key cities, we’re making it easier than ever for businesses to connect with the world, leveraging our intuitive platform and Qatar Airways Cargo’s trusted network helps airlines to expand their reach and network across India.

DP World launches new fleet of prime movers, equipped with advanced Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This cutting-edge technology provides enhanced stability, ensuring that drivers remain safe and in control, even in difficult road and climatic conditions. Additionally, the new fleet also comes equipped with a Tail Guarding System, which prevents reverse collisions by eliminating blind spots, using proximity sensors to stop the vehicle when necessary. Through the implementation of these state-of-the-art advanced safety features, DP World is ensuring a safer, more efficient working environment for its drivers, reinforcing its dedication to operational excellence and the welfare of its team. Ravinder Johal, Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, Operations & Commercial, Middle East, North Africa & Subcontinent, DP World, said, “The safety and security of our cargo and truckers are our top priorities. By incorporating advanced technology in our new fleet of trucks, we are proud to support the government’s vision for enhanced road safety. We are committed to continuously improving our safety standards, ensuring our drivers are protected, and reducing the potential impact of accidents. We believe this approach will inspire broader adoption of safety practices across the industry.” The introduction of Prime Movers equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), combined with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), enhances vehicle safety and performance, while providing safety to truckers and all its operational staff. This advanced safety system will ensure superior stability, particularly when transporting high-risk cargo at high speeds. ESC automatically corrects sideways drift during overtaking, adjusts engine torque, and applies selective braking to maintain stability during turns. It is especially beneficial in challenging weather conditions, providing optimal control and safety on slippery roads.