Multinational logistics companies and shipping lines are now moving towards air transport and expecting more demand for air transport due to the ongoing Red Sea crisis, despite significantly higher costs. Recently DB Schenker has secured additional air freight space to be able to service the expected switch from shipping to air freight. ‘We expect the impact on air freight to occur in around two to three weeks,” the company said in a statement. “A combination of sea and air freight shipping could prove best, – for example goods could be shipped from China and unloaded just before the crisis-affected area to then be transported by air,” it added. According to the reports, Indian exporters especially those who are in the textiles and apparel sectors have not encountered widespread rejection of export consignments or demands for contract re-negotiation due to the Red Sea blockade, concerns are growing over potential business disruptions if the crisis prolongs. They are mainly witnessing extended transit times and increased freight costs, prompting worries about the sustainability of their operations. In many cases, buyers bear the transportation costs. However, sensing potential delays, some buyers, especially those dealing with seasonal fashion items, are opting for air cargo to avoid missing sales opportunities, said reports.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has seen a notable growth processing a total of 422,644 MT of cargo during CY 2023, indicating a 2% increase from previous year. BLR Airport continues to maintain its standing as a reliable hub for handling Perishable (PER) cargo in India for the third consecutive year, emphasizing its commitment to seamless cargo operations. The domestic sector soared with an impressive 11% growth, highlighting BLR’s strengthening position as a rapidly growing cargo hub in India. Perishables continued to be a key focus, with coriander exports surging by 67%. The export of mangoes reached a three-year tonnage record, achieving a 124% year-on-year growth. 684 MT of mangoes were exported, facilitated by an 86% increase in the number of pieces shipped. This accomplishment highlights BLR Cargo’s robust cold chain capabilities and dedication to efficient perishable handling. BLR Cargo’s strategic infrastructure developments in May 2023 welcomed two new Cargo terminal operators: Menzies Aviation Bangalore Pvt Ltd (MABPL) and WFS Bangalore Pvt Ltd (WFSBPL). MABPL provides dedicated facilities for domestic cargo and international cargo processing, while WFSBPL offers specialized cold chain capabilities in addition to international cargo processing. These partnerships are anticipated to enhance efficiency, expand capacity, and sustain cargo growth for the Airport in the coming years. The developments aim to elevate BLR Cargo’s cargo capacities to approximately ~1 million MT by the end of this decade. July 2023 also marked a significant milestone for BLR Cargo, handling the highest monthly domestic tonnage since the Airport’s opening, totaling 16,507 MT. Additionally, Oman Airlines commenced freighter operations last year, further diversifying and strengthening BLR Cargo’s global connectivity. As we reflect on 2023 as a year of resilience and milestone …

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) shares, “We have witnessed a boom in air cargo traffic in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The growth is attributed to the rise in manufacturing units, increased industrial output, and the expansion of the e-commerce industry. The potential in perishable cargo has also been a major contributor to this development. However, these cities face challenges, including limited funds for upgrading airport infrastructure, where significant investment is needed. Land acquisition for expansion is complex and time consuming. Additionally, attracting private sector participation in these cities is challenging due to lower passenger and cargo volumes to metropolitan airports.”

Pragati Warehousing has signed MoU with the Tamil Nadu government, signaling a substantial investment exceeding ₹1,500 crores over the next five years. This decisive step cements Pragati Warehousing’s steadfast commitment to propelling economic development in Tamil Nadu. The company is strategically positioned to contribute significantly to the region’s growth, with plans to invest in the development of industrial and logistics parks. This investment is projected to generate direct employment opportunities for 500 individuals and create an additional 2,000 jobs indirectly. Lt Col Jitender Yadav, Chairman and Founder at Pragati Warehousing, said, “At Pragati, our efforts are dedicated to transforming the Indian warehousing landscape. This MoU reinforces our commitment to add global standard assets to the Indian logistics and industrial real estate. We believe in setting new industry benchmarks and ensuring that our contributions elevate the standard and efficiency of the entire sector.” Maneesh Jain, Chief Investment Officer at Pragati Warehousing, commented on the MoU signing, “From ease of doing business to a well-established industrial ecosystem, Tamil Nadu offers a compelling proposition for any investor. Tamil Nadu’s strides in electronics and auto manufacturing make it a pivotal hub for our expansion. This collaboration is a testament to the state’s forward-thinking policies, and Pragati Warehousing is excited to contribute to the state’s thriving industrial landscape.” Chandraveer Singh, Chief Financial Officer at Pragati Warehousing, added, “This MoU with the Tamil Nadu government will be instrumental in achieving shared objectives. It also lays a solid foundation for our further expansion in the key micro markets of the state. We are excited to be the state’s partner in progress.”

MSC Cargo’s latest freighter has been delivered and will be put into action on the transpacific. The new-build Boeing 777F was this week delivered to lessor Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and is the last of four aircraft to be delivered for its long-term ACMI agreement with MSC. The inaugural 777F was delivered in November 2022, with the second and third 777Fs being delivered in July and November 2023, respectively. Atlas said the freighter would complement the existing weekly service, including a route from Hong Kong to Dallas Fort Worth. Anders Matikka, vice president, air cargo, MSC, said: “This latest 777 Freighter delivery represents a pivotal moment and significant milestone for our company as it marks the completion of our first set of aircraft in partnership with Atlas Air. “This new and enhanced fleet will empower us to elevate our offering, ensuring enhanced support for our valued clients and a stronger presence in the market”

Shiprocket, joined hands with Dependo, a growing logistics service provider, in a strategic partnership to enable Indian merchants with intercity same/next-day delivery. The partnership between Shiprocket and Dependo opens new avenues for Indian merchants, empowering them to offer efficient and swift intercity same/next-day delivery services. The collaboration takes advantage of Dependo’s courier network, which offers widespread coverage in major cities, ensuring smooth connectivity for a wide range of merchants. For SDD-NDD, courier partner’s presence is in all major metropolitan areas such as Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad,Kolkata , Jaipur , Chennai and Pune . Speaking about the partnership, Saahil Goel, co-founder and CEO of Shiprocket, said, “We look forward to the strategic collaboration with Dependo, which holds significant promise for the eCommerce landscape in India. Through this partnership, Shiprocket and Dependo are committed to enhancing intercity same- or next-day delivery, presenting a transformative solution for merchants and customers. This collaboration is in line with our dedication to advancing the eCommerce sector and delivering exceptional services to Indian businesses. Together, our goal is to redefine delivery standards and offer sellers a streamlined and expedited shipping experience in key cities.” Sellers can now avail of next-day delivery from Delhi to Agra, Ambala, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Ludhiana, and Dehradun. Additionally, Bangalore sellers can reach Hyderabad and Chennai within the next day, while Mumbai sellers can seamlessly connect with Pune. This collaboration reinforces Shiprocket’s dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions that transform the eCommerce landscape in India. “Collaborating with Shiprocket’s expansive network, coupled with our logistics expertise, is set to redefine intercity same/next-day delivery. This partnership signifies a powerful fusion of strengths, and we anticipate it will bring unparalleled efficiency and convenience to …

SpiceXpress, a subsidiary of SpiceJet, has entered into a partnership with Star Air, to manage the belly space capacity for cargo transportation in Star Air’s fleet of nine aircraft. Star Air, operating five Embraer 145 jets and four Embraer 175 jets, will significantly enhance SpiceXpress’s domestic network, incorporating nine new destinations: Belagavi, Bhuj, Kalaburagi, Kishangarh, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Shivamogga. This collaboration underlines SpiceXpress’s commitment to expanding its reach and strengthening the nation’s air cargo infrastructure, aligning with SpiceJet’s mission to cater to the underserved regions in India. SpiceXpress’s domestic network will increase from 39 to 48 destinations helping the company strengthen its Door-to-Door delivery and postal service. The three-year agreement, extendable by mutual consent, establishes a foundation for seamless cooperation between the two companies. Jai Singh Sadana, Chief Business Officer, SpiceXpress, said, “This partnership with Star Air marks a significant milestone for SpiceXpress as we broaden our domestic cargo network. The extended reach to these nine destinations aligns with our vision of connecting underserved regions, contributing to economic development, and bolstering the logistics landscape in India.” “The collaboration not only grants SpiceXpress access to additional delivery points and increased daily cargo volume but also enhances our last-mile presence. Door-to-door connectivity will now be extended to pin codes that were previously untouched, showcasing the transformative potential of this partnership,” Sadana said. Capt. Simran Singh Tiwana, Chief Executive Officer, Star Air, said, “Star Air is happy to announce this exciting partnership with SpiceXpress. The flexibility gained through this alliance empowers Star Air to unlock the cargo potentials in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across the country. This strategic partnership exemplifies the commitment of both airlines to redefine India’s cargo landscape and …

Çelebi India announced its collaboration with British Airways to provide top-notch ground handling services at Chennai International Airport. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Çelebi as it expands its presence in the country with exceptional services in the aviation industry. British Airways, renowned for its exceptional service and unwavering commitment to safety standards, has chosen Çelebi India as its ground handling service provider in Chennai. This strategic alliance signifies the trust and confidence British Airways places in Çelebi’s expertise from 65 years of providing ground handling services to some of the world’s biggest airlines. Tauseef Khan, CEO, Çelebi Ground Handling – India, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with British Airways as the chosen ground handling service provider at Chennai Airport. This collaboration is a significant milestone, underscoring Çelebi’s commitment to delivering top-tier services and contributing to the growth of India’s aviation industry. As we extend our support to British Airways, we remain dedicated to providing seamless and sustainable ground handling solutions, further solidifying our position as a trusted partner in the aviation landscape.” This collaboration with British Airways is part of Çelebi India’s expansion strategy, adding to its operations at major airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, and Kannur.

Authored by Harshit Shrivasttava, CEO & Co-founder of Intugine The Indian logistics industry is experiencing a digital transformation that has the potential to reshape our understanding of supply chain management. With ongoing challenges to the industry’s adaptability and resilience, a push towards heightened efficiency and reduced costs has become increasingly urgent. As the backbone of the nation’s economic landscape, the logistics sector is poised for growth, contributing 14.4% to India’s GDP and employing over 20 million people. This article explores the potential evolution of digitalization in the Indian logistics ecosystem outlook and its impact on the industry’s future. The year 2023 heralds the arrival of the National Logistics Policy, a model of India’s relentless resolve to optimize operational facets and wholeheartedly embrace the wave of technology-driven solutions. This strategic blueprint is poised to strengthen the nation’s economic terrain, catalyzing amplified connectivity and facilitating frictionless trade in domestic and international markets. It is a testament to India’s commitment to not merely adapt to the evolving outlook but to lead the charge in supply chain transformation. Once considered a fleeting trend, digitalization has become an indispensable cornerstone of the Indian logistics sector. The industry is grappling with a plethora of complexities, ranging from the vast and diverse geography of the nation to complex regulatory demands and varying infrastructure standards. These challenges underscore the imperative for a profound digital revolution. Leveraging robust technologies such as automation, integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), and harnessing the power of data analytics, logistics companies stand to elevate their operational capabilities significantly. The merits of this transformation are manifold. Automation is central to eliminating manual errors, guaranteeing seamless operations in a geography where customer expectations have …

Geodis will continue to offer its own-controlled freighter capacity until the end of the year. The freight forwarder’s leased Airbus A330-300P2F, operated by London Stansted-headquartered Titan Airways, is currently performing three rotations per week between the UK and China, carrying e-commerce goods. Titan is operating a round-trip cargo route from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwestern China to London Stansted Airport in the UK three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The aircraft will continue to be operated “at minimum until the end of 2024,” said Eric Martin-Neuville, vice president of freight forwarding, Geodis,” says reports. The aircraft was leased during the height of the pandemic, but the tough market conditions last year resulted in a lot of doubt about how the return of capacity and lower rates would affect those in the industry that had invested in own capacity, especially on long-term contracts.