“We see that there is a greater demand for perishables from southern Indian points to Europe and North America. However, capacity for the mentioned points are constrained,” says Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo, SriLankan Cargo “The carrier operates daily to India, with over 50 weekly flights. We serve nine points including main destinations such as Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai covering both the North and South regions. We contribute to the Indian air freight market by carrying pharma, courier and general cargo out of India and e-commerce freight into India for the northern and central Indian markets whilst uplifting perishable produce out of the southern region. We have been a strong connector of Indian and Japanese markets supporting both directions,” he adds.

According to a latest report by CRISIL Ratings, Revenue growth of road transport fleet operators is expected to double to 9-11 per cent this fiscal. It is driven by better domestic demand, and despite tepid exports. The operating margin is seen improving 75-100 basis points on better fleet utilization and steady fuel costs, the report adds. The credit profile of operators should remain strong as well, as they may look to moderate capital expenditure (capex) towards fleet expansion, following strong additions in the past three fiscal years, even as new guidelines for air-conditioned driver cabins kick in next fiscal. It said that steady working capital is also providing support. CRISIL analysed 45 large fleet operators in its portfolio, which account for a quarter of the industry’s revenues, to reach the findings. Nearly a third of freight demand emanates from export-oriented sectors, which, after decelerating last fiscal, is showing signs of improvement, in line with growth trends in India’s key export destinations – the eurozone and the US, stated CRISIL.

Multinational retail company, Lulu Group International is planning to open a logistics and food processing centre in Amritsar, Punjab. “Our group is intending to have a logistics and food processing centre in Amritsar for the storage, processing, grading and packing of various local agriculture and other produce,” said Salim M A, director of Lulu Group, in a press release. “Amritsar is known for its vibrant business environment and especially for its thriving small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The city will now be a part of our sourcing of local products which will greatly help SMEs, local farmers, agricultural cooperatives and farmers producer organisations,” he added. Lulu Group officials will be soon visiting Amritsar to discuss with SMEs and other suppliers to finalise this collaboration at the earliest, the release added. In India, Lulu has its logistics and procurement centres in different states from where it annually exports Rs 10,000 crores worth of more than 45,000 megatonne of agriculture and other products for its 270 retail stores spread across the Middle East, Far East and Africa.

From 2025, Virgin Atlantic Cargo will have 42.1M kg of space available on routes to and from India increasing capacity by +336.4% vs 2019. The addition of the recently launched Bengaluru flights will boost 2025 space available by +38.7% compared to 2023 capacity, with 20 tonnes available on each flight. This presents new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods such as fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and textiles between prime markets in the UK, the US, and India.

To promote Nashik’s agricultural business, air cargo services have commenced from Ojhar Airport, says reports. The inaugural shipment, comprised 100 kg of roses bound for Delhi. “The initiation of air cargo operations fulfills a longstanding request from Nashik’s populace, especially those involved in industrial and agricultural endeavors. Local businesses are anticipated to reap substantial advantages from this development, as it offers a dependable and streamlined method for transporting goods,” reports add. According to reports, IndiGo Airlines is spearheading the initiative, operating around six flights to various destinations including Delhi, Indore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, and Goa. In addition to these passenger flights, special cargo flights are regularly departing from Ojhar Airport.

The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) has announced plans to set up international air cargo and cold storage facilities, following the announcement of Air India of launching a direct flight between Vijayawada and Mumbai, says reports. AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao said in reports that the AP Chambers has been relentlessly giving suggestions to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Vijayawada airport authorities for the development of the airport and for the improvement in flight connectivity between Vijayawada and other major destinations.

“In India, airlines are strategically leveraging the belly capacity of passenger aircraft to augment air cargo efficiency, says Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime Group adding, “addressing the booming demand for air freight amidst fluctuating global supply chain dynamics. The belly space of passenger aircraft refers to the unused space in the hold beneath the passenger compartment, which can be used to transport cargo. This space is particularly valuable for transporting goods on routes already served by regular passenger flights, offering a cost-effective solution without the need for dedicated cargo flights.” He continues. “Indian carriers are increasingly exploring the full potential of this space by accommodating a wide range of cargo, from perishables and pharmaceuticals to e-commerce packages and general cargo. This is facilitated by the ability of modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, which offer substantial belly cargo capacity alongside passenger loads. The utilization of belly space is enhanced by sophisticated logistics planning and cargo handling systems that allow airlines to maximize load factors, optimize fuel efficiency, and reduce the carbon footprint per unit of cargo.”

DHL has unveiled plans to build a distribution centre for air freight at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, says release. The facility will be built over a plot covering 21.424 square metres, which is owned by maintenance company Jat Tehnika. The 10.176 square metre terminal within the airport complex will feature an administrative building, fulfilment centre for distribution, handling, and processing of goods, as well as a car park for 120 vehicles. Construction is expected to commence later this year

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), inaugurated state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at the newly established Manohar International Airport in north Goa. Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing) BPCL, inaugurated the facilities in the presence of Kanwarbir Singh Kalra (Deputy CEO, GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL).and other senior leadership from BPCL and GGIAL. The introduction of the advanced hydrant facility is a strategic move by BPCL to cater to the rapidly growing refueling demands of the new greenfield airport. Manohar International Airport is a crucial addition to Goa’s aviation landscape, supplementing the existing Naval airport in Dabolim, which has faced constraints due to limited operational hours for civil aircraft. With the start of operations at Manohar International Airport, the combined traffic at both airports has increased. Shri Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing), BPCL, said “The inauguration of these state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at Manohar International Airport marks a significant step in BPCL’s journey to enhance aviation infrastructure in India. This strategic expansion is aimed at meeting the growing refueling demands and ensuring seamless operations. BPCL remains committed to pioneering advancements that support the robust growth of the aviation sector, reinforcing our dedication to efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.” Spanning across 6 acres of land, the hydrant fuel farm boasts a storage capacity of 8,270 KL. The hydrant system comprises an intricate network of underground pipelines connecting seamlessly to the airport’s 13 aircraft parking bays. The entire operation is meticulously managed through a fully automated console, ensuring efficiency and safety in fuel distribution. In addition to the inauguration at MOPA, Aviation Fuelling Stations were virtually unveiled at nine other airports, bringing the total count of BPCL-operated facilities to an impressive 75 airports nationwide. This expansion comes at …

DP World announced the expansion of its Australian operations and the launch of its new rail service at Stockland’s Yennora Intermodal Terminal, one of the largest logistics facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. An official ribbon cutting ceremony was today held at the Terminal, attended by Julia Finn, Member for Granville (NSW), Parliamentary Secretary to the NSW Premier; Amna Al-Suwaidi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Australia; Nicolaj Noes, Executive Vice President, Oceania, DP World; Tarun Gupta, Managing Director and CEO, Stockland; and Marika Calfas, CEO, NSW Ports. From today, the Yennora Intermodal Terminal will offer two direct rail services to and from Port Botany per day on a dedicated DP World-owned and operated rail line. The daily port-rail service is expected to manage an annual rail capacity of 160,000 20-foot cargo shipping containers, known as TEUs, to achieve higher efficiencies. It is also expected to reduce up to 160 truck trips per day, lowering overall emissions. This significant milestone will enable DP World to provide an integrated supply chain solution across landside operations, contract logistics and freight forwarding. DP World’s enhanced logistics capabilities will provide cost efficiencies, reduce transit times, and improve supply chain resilience.