As a part of PM Narendra Modi’s special package for Bihar, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road transport and highways will lay foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth Rs 13,000 crore to revamp eastern flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge in Bihar on June 7. Road construction minister Nitin Nabin along with additional chief secretary (road) Pratyaya Amrit also inspected the restructured eastern flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu ahead of its inauguration, says reports. “Gadkari ji will launch eight projects from Patna, and he is proposed to launch two more projects at Bhagalpur on the same day. The entire work of Gandhi Setu has been completed with an estimated outlay of Rs 1800 crores,” said Nabin in a media release. A four-lane bridge is also proposed to be constructed parallel to Gandhi Setu on its western side, added official release. The rehabilitation of 39-year-old bridge is being done by the ministry of road transport and highways by replacing its old superstructure with steel deck superstructure, except pillars.

In sync with the government’s vision of making India a drone hub by 203O, Skye Air Mobility has unveiled its long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named, Artemis, equipped to carry a payload of 6 kgs with a range of 100 km. It has been designed for inter-city, inter-district, and inter-state cargo movements and has a speed of 100mph speed and an endurance of 90 minutes per trip. Artemis is best suited for sectors such as healthcare and e-commerce, said the company statement. Ankit Kumar, Chief Executive said, “The Skye Air Team has been working on Artemis since mid-2021. Finally, we are proud to showcase a technology that is set to change the landscape of air cargo deliveries. We feel as industries are well embracing the drone technology, it was a perfect time to showcase the Artemis, further adding to our capabilities.” “Skye Air’s vision is in sync with the government’s vision of making India a drone hub by 2030. Skye Air is proactively trying to bring a faster and cost-effective solution for different verticals and by launching Artemis, we have taken another step in that direction.”

Focusing on its commitment to ambitious CO2 reduction targets, Blue Dart has signed the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The company has adopted a package of measures worth up to €7 billion to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, primarily to expand the use of sustainable technologies and fuels in its fleets and buildings. The company’s long-term goal is to reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050, says release. Pablo Ciano, EVP Corporate Development, DPDHL Group says, “As a Group, we have developed a Sustainability Roadmap that supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are constantly working towards introducing innovative green logistics solutions that improve our carbon footprint. I am delighted to share that representing the DHL eCommerce Solutions Division in India, Blue Dart has been delivering high on its sustainability initiatives.”

Elixia Tech Solutions recorded a business growth of 175 per cent in Maharashtra in 2021-2022. This apart, Elixia has also clocked a 2.2x increase in its customer base in the said region in FY 2021-2022. Sanket Sheth, Founder and MD said, “Maharashtra Government has made large investments towards improving the state’s fragmented logistics sector. It has resulted in the state emerging as a hub for supply chain operations. Elixia has responded enthusiastically to the moves by leveraging them with our tech-based services. We have taken full advantage and registered robust business growth.” Seth added that “technological intervention will boost and strengthen the state and India’s logistics segment”.

Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo announced the entry of Swiss WorldCargo into the airlines’ joint business agreement, providing cargo customers with more direct connections, flexibility, and speed. “Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo have a close collaboration on international lanes via their hubs in Hong Kong and Germany, while the handling of cargo in Hong Kong is coordinated under one roof at the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport. Under the agreement, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo, and Swiss WorldCargo will work closely on network planning, as well as on sales, IT, and ground handling. Initially, the airlines will cooperate on traffic from Hong Kong to Zurich and Frankfurt, with traffic to and from Hong Kong and Europe, which is planned to be included later this year,” said a statement. Cargo customers will be able to access the entire network via the booking systems of all three partners.

To promote women professionals in air cargo industry, Zeal Global Corporation provided scholarship for training in the logistics sector to 100 aspirants. Zeal is planning to select first 100 women through a selection process to offer diversified courses, including basic air cargo course, logistics and supply chain basics and e- commerce logistics. It will also cover world geography, air, and sea routes, seaport, and airports as part of the scholarship. Nipun Anand, Director, Zeal Global Corporation said, “While operating in the Indian logistics business, we are striving to empower women and have been working towards undertaking new initiatives to facilitate gender diversity across the industry in line with global standards. We believe that upskilling and re-skilling of women will open a plethora of opportunities to help them move towards more technical and higher positions. This will certainly contribute to narrowing the gender gap in the workforce across India.”

In an event held at Mumbai Airport, Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777F has been officially named as ‘Namaste India.’ The freighter, with the registration D-ALFH, has been part of Lufthansa Cargo’s fleet since August 2020. The christening ceremony was held in the presence of Ashwin Bhat, CCO, Lufthansa Cargo, and in the presence of J. Florian Pfaff, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo, among others. Currently, Mumbai alone is served four times a week, and Bengaluru, and Chennai twice weekly from Frankfurt with B777F freighters. “For decades, it has been an important and reliable partner in and for India,” said Bhat in a statement. “I am pleased to mark this partnership and success story in the context of this freighter naming ceremony in my home city. It is our goal to continue connecting India with other markets, around the world and to support the strong development of the Indian economy,” he added.

For Chapman Freeborn Germany, Antonov Airlines has successfully completed three AN-124-100 flights to transport a new mobile gas power plant generator from Europe to Africa. The cargo, transported from Ljubljana in Slovenia to Kano, Nigeria included turbine, generator, and additional equipment. It weighed about 200 tonnes. Eugene Kiva, Commercial Executive at Antonov Airlines said, “The entire Antonov team, from commercial to operational, route planning, and load planning, worked closely with our client and agents to ensure the safe delivery of this important cargo, which will support energy needs in Nigeria.” Antonov Airlines has been adversely affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine but continues to fly worldwide, prioritising flights for the Ukrainian government, the Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS), and humanitarian missions using its five AN-124-100s, said the statement.

To meet the increasing demand for e-commerce and perishables, IAG Cargo is planning to restart its cargo-only services between Heathrow-Hong Kong and Heathrow-Bangkok. While four-time weekly flights between Heathrow and Bangkok resumed on May 24 using a B7, daily flights from Heathrow to Hong Kong will begin from June 1. Daniel Byrne, Regional Commercial Manager, UK and Ireland, IAG Cargo, said in a statement, “Hong Kong and Bangkok are an important part of our network. Goods manufactured in the Far East are quite popular with consumers across the world. With summer shaping up to be a busy period for IAG Cargo and our customers, this air bridge is vital for the movement of e-commerce and perishable products.” Since the beginning of the ongoing pandemic, the business has completed 250 cargo-only flights between Heathrow and Hong Kong.

To revamp its cargo zone and meet the increasing demand for storage and handling space, Brussels Airport is reportedly planning to invest EUR 70 million over the next three years. The construction work in this regard is likely to begin later this week. By 2025, three new modern and sustainable buildings, including parking areas, will be opened at Brussels Airport cargo zone, called Brucargo Central. Arnaud Feist, CEO, Brussels Airport Company said, “The redevelopment of the central area of the cargo zone and of new cargo buildings and offices at the airport site will allow the airport to welcome new partners and offer new and current partners’ warehouses and offices that are larger, more efficient, modern, and sustainable. Accelerating the development of the cargo zone is one of the priorities within the new strategy of Brussels Airport.”