Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has assumed the position of the Civil Aviation Minister, replacing Jyotiraditya Scindia. Naidu hails from Andhra Pradesh, at 36 years of age, Naidu represents the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, he is the youngest-ever Minister in Modi.

Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) handled an impressive one million tonnes of air cargo in fiscal year 2023-2024, achieving a milestone. The achievement underscores AAHL’s robust operational capabilities and strategic growth in the aviation industry. Demonstrating solid growth, AAHL facilitated a remarkable 10,13,115 metric tonnes of cargo in FY 2023-24, capturing an impressive 30.1% market share. This represents a significant 7% y-o-y increase compared to the previous fiscal, when the total cargo tonnage was 9,44,912 metric tonnes. In FY 2023-2024, AAHL’s cargo operations were predominantly international – 65% of the cargo managed was international. This showcases AAHL’s efficiency in managing worldwide operations while maintaining a robust domestic presence. The international cargo tonnage amounted to 6,62,258 metric tonnes, recording a notable 9% y-o-y growth compared to the previous fiscal’s 6,06,348 metric tonnes. The cargo operations were driven by commodities, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, perishables, electricals/electronics, and engineering goods. They were efficiently handled across the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai), the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad), the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow), the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Mangaluru International Airport, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati) and the Jaipur International Airport. The major international destinations for cargo included Germany, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Reflecting on the achievement, Mr. Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL, said, “At Adani Airport Holdings Limited, we have been consistently setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency. The cargo terminals have achieved a remarkable milestone, handling over 1 million tonnes this fiscal year. This achievement solidifies our position as key facilitators in both international and domestic airfreight operations in India.” The following highlights from fiscal year showcase 2023-2024 AAHL’s …

The global air cargo market is poised for double-digit growth in volumes in 2024, following a notable 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in demand in May, according to the latest data analysis by Xeneta. This promising outlook contrasts with the conservative, low single-digit growth forecasts made at the end of last year, as the market has experienced six consecutive months of extraordinary regional demand for cargo capacity, it adds In May, the global air cargo spot rate saw its second consecutive monthly growth, rising by 9 per cent YoY to $2.58 per kg, and increasing by 5 per cent month-on-month. The most significant YoY rate increase was observed in the Middle East & Central Asia to Europe corridor, where the spot rate surged by 110 per cent to $3.21 per kg due to ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea. Spot rates from Southeast Asia and China to North America also saw significant rises, up by 65 per cent and 43 per cent to $4.64 per kg and $4.88 per kg respectively. The China-Europe spot rate recorded a 34 per cent YoY increase to $4.14 per kg, as per Xeneta. “In terms of growth data, analysts sometimes say ‘once is an incident, twice is a coincidence, and three-times is a pattern’. In the world of air cargo, there’s an undeniable pattern emerging. We can’t use the word ‘surprising’ anymore. When we take a mid-term view of the market, with these kinds of numbers, we might be on track for double-digit growth for the year. It is now a possible scenario,” says Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, Niall van de Wouw.

Rotate has been selected by Air Canada Cargo to implement the Sales Cockpit, to enhance carrier’s global digitalization efforts. The Sales Cockpit is web-based software that continually scans the airline’s data to automatically identify specific opportunities with customers. Integrating this with existing systems allows Air Canada Cargo to automatically open sales opportunities in its CRM, and better monitor agreements to track performance against customer expectations. This integration ensures sales teams have timely and relevant information to improve discussions and serve customers more effectively. Matthieu Casey, Managing Director – Commercial at Air Canada Cargo, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “This partnership with Rotate and the roll-out of the Sales Cockpit will enable our Sales teams to provide more personalized and timely service to our customers while maintaining a consistent approach globally. This consistent approach allows us to work collaboratively and proactively as our customers’ needs change.” The implementation of the Sales Cockpit is part of Air Canada Cargo’s broader digitalization strategy, aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience. By automating the identification and management of sales opportunities, the Sales Cockpit helps ensure that no opportunity is missed, and that customer interactions are more informed and responsive. Ryan Keyrouse, CEO at Rotate, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to support Air Canada Cargo in its digitalization journey. Our collaboration has enhanced the Sales Cockpit, making it a more effective tool for their sales teams. The feedback from Air Canada Cargo has been important in refining the solution to better meet the needs of the industry.”

“The economy is in good shape on the tailwinds of healthy macro-economic conditions, corporate earnings and robust domestic demand,” says Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group. He adds, “The Government’s third term in office denotes there will be policy continuity in infrastructure development and critical reforms. We expect the new government to continue with the capex momentum and keeping the ease of doing business goals and fiscal consolidation in focus. At a time when the digital economy is opening up new consumption frontiers, global companies are establishing manufacturing bases in India and the nation is staking its claim in the global value chain, a vibrant and globally competitive logistics industry will work as a growth multiplier and trade facilitator. We strongly believe that manufacturing in India by domestic and International companies is a decision taken on the basis an efficient logistics ecosystem that can cater to domestic & cross border demands ,we need to create large global logistics companies that can further the economic growth agenda. Indian logistics companies creating a global footprint is the necessity of a developed nation – Viksit Bharat @ 2047. I am certain the government will take note & enable Indian Logistic companies to power their emergence globally.”

To explore logistics related business opportunities in Gujarat and to focus on leveraging its infrastructure and strategic location to boost India’s logistics and maritime capabilities, The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) organized a meet with Gujarat Maritime Cluster (GMC). A significant highlight of the visit was FFFAI’s official induction as a member of the Gujarat Maritime Cluster. The GMC, the first commercial maritime cluster of its kind in India, offers a synergetic collaboration, providing a one-stop solution for the maritime fraternity. This cluster brings together maritime and shipping industry players, service providers, and relevant government regulatory agencies within the GIFT City ecosystem. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman, FFFAI highlighted that FFFAI’s membership in the GMC is set to strengthen collaborative efforts in the maritime and logistics sectors, enhancing trade efficiency and fostering industry growth. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities this partnership will create and emphasized the strategic importance of aligning with leading financial and maritime institutions. “The membership in GMC marks a significant milestone for FFFAI, positioning it at the forefront of India’s maritime innovation and operational excellence. This collaboration is expected to facilitate seamless trade operations and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian freight forwarders,” stated Mulani. Mulani also asserted that FFFAI’s proactive engagement and strategic partnerships with GMC underscore its commitment to advancing India’s logistics industry and contributing to sustainable economic growth. During the discussions at GIFT City, the focus was on leveraging its state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic location to boost India’s logistics and maritime capabilities. Interactions with Price Waterhouse and Axis Bank provided valuable insights into the financial frameworks and support systems crucial for expanding FFFAI’s initiatives.

C K Govil, President, ACAAI highlights, “Industry needs regulatory support – Simplification of customs and clearance processes to reduce delays. Harmonization of regulations and standards with international norms. Streamlining of licensing and operational permits. Investment in modernizing and expanding airports, cargo terminals, and warehousing facilities. Development of dedicated cargo airports or zones. Enhancing connectivity with multimodal transport networks (road, rail, sea). Encouragement of digitalization and the use of advanced technologies (e.g., blockchain, AI) to improve efficiency. Support for research and development in logistics and supply chain management. Introduction of policies that promote the growth of the air cargo sector. Financial incentives, such as tax breaks or subsidies, to attract investment and innovation. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics sector. Policies and incentives to promote the use of green technologies and practices. Support for initiatives that aim to reduce the carbon footprint of air cargo operations. Training programs and educational initiatives to develop a skilled workforce for the logistics and air cargo sectors. Collaboration with educational institutions to ensure curriculum relevance to industry needs. Implementation and enforcement of robust security measures to protect cargo. Ensuring adherence to safety standards to prevent accidents and losses. Bilateral and multilateral agreements to facilitate smoother international cargo movements. Active participation in global forums to influence international logistics policies. Crisis Management – Development of contingency plans to maintain supply chain resilience during crises, such as natural disasters or pandemics. Financial and logistical support for businesses affected by disruptions. By addressing these areas, governments can significantly enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of the air cargo and logistics sectors.”

Chaitaly Mehta, Director, EKF Global Logistics shared her viewpoints and expectations, “Equal playing field infrastructure for all airports, seaports and ICDs. Infrastructure development and maintenance is the need of the hour. Seamless Digital Infrastructure for processing of customs documents ( Hardware upgrade to curtail and improve the frequent downtimes being currently experienced) Solutions for GST related issues and ambiguities pertaining and afflicting the Logistics Industry across all sectors. Creating Indian as a Logistics Hub on lines of Singapore, utilising India’s airports and seaports strategic locations and thus creating new avenues of income generation and jobs generation. To create infrastructure, come up with workable policies to encourage and attract Women to the Operations side of the Logistics Industry across all sectors, sub-sectors and industries within and associated to Logistics including Skills Development, Trainings, After Pregnancy return to work, Hygiene, Safety, Infrastructure , Accessibility, etc.”

Fardeen Malbarwala, Director, Galaxy Freight shared his expectations from the government, “I am looking forward to the government expediting the negotiations for the much-anticipated trade treaties, to catalyze global trade. Owing to the trade treaty signed with the UAE, we are in the process of developing the trade corridor to facilitate the ease of doing business, which will significantly reduce our dependence on the Red Sea. Infrastructure development is another key focus area. I hope the government continues with infrastructure development across India to enable seamless multimodal cargo movement and improve operational efficiency.”