Vizhinjam port has handled 1 million TEUs (20-foot Equivalent Units) of cargo within just nine months of commencing commercial operations. According to the concession agreement, the projected handling capacity for the first year was three lakh containers. Vizhinjam has already surpassed this target, with current figures reaching 1.012 million TEUs, more than three times the original estimate. “Vizhinjam International Seaport has achieved a world-class milestone, providing all of us with a reason to celebrate Onam with pride,” said V N Vasavan, Ports Minister. “Vizhinjam has astonished the global maritime industry. To our knowledge, very few ports worldwide have exceeded their established capacity in the first year of operation.”

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has been awarded the Level 2 Accreditation under the Airports Council International (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation program, making it the first airport in India and among a select group of airports globally to reach this milestone. This recognition highlights BLR Airport’s commitment to building a truly inclusive travel environment — where infrastructure, technology and human touch come together to empower every traveller. Awarded under the Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) Program, the world’s only initiative dedicated to benchmarking and advancing accessibility in aviation, this program by ACI assesses airports on facilities, services, and governance, recognising continuous improvements that embed accessibility into strategies, policies, and passenger experiences. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer, Bangalore International Airport Ltd said, “We are honoured to be awarded the Level 2 Accreditation under ACI’s Airport Accessibility Enhancement programme. At BLR Airport, accessibility is not just a measure of infrastructure, but a reflection of our belief that travel should be inclusive, seamless and experiential for every passenger. This milestone is the result of the tireless dedication of our entire team and the invaluable guidance from ACI, reinforcing our vision of building an airport that truly serves everyone. While we celebrate this achievement, we see it as a step forward in our continuous journey to make every traveller feel welcomed and valued at BLR Airport.”

Rajkot’s Hirasar International Airport have officially started air cargo operations. A senior official from Rajkot International Airport confirmed, “Air India began outbound cargo services from Rajkot and IndiGo is scheduled to start operations on 29 August,” said Mayur Adesra, President of the Gems and Jewellery Association, Rajkot. He added, “Our region is home to 8,000 to 10,000 wholesalers who regularly ship precious metal ornaments across India. Direct air cargo from Rajkot will significantly reduce transit time—by up to two days depending on the destination.” The added expense of private security was often unavoidable, given Rajkot’s status as a major hub for silver, gold and imitation jewellery, with daily consignments dispatched nationwide.  

Arunachal Pradesh is all set to begin its first outbound air cargo service from Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar. The service, under the theme ‘Empowering Farmers, Connecting Markets,’ is designed to link local farmers with larger markets and speed up the transport of perishable goods. “Today, I had the privilege to flag off the first outbound air cargo from our state at Donyi Polo Airport. This initiative will open new horizons for our hardworking farmers,” Balo Raja, Civil Aviation Minister said in a post on X. As per the officials, the facility will focus on fruits, vegetables, flowers and other produce that often incur losses due to delays in conventional transport. The cargo service is expected to reduce wastage and help cultivators secure better prices, particularly in remote districts.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), gearing up for its inauguration in September, has announced the readiness of its Phase 1 facilities. On the cargo side, NMIA will feature an integrated terminal with 79 dedicated stands, equipped for semi-automated handling, cold chain logistics, specialised storage for perishables and hazardous goods, along with 100 per cent export screening. Its strategic location—just 14 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust—will facilitate seamless multimodal freight movement. Officials noted that the airport’s phased development strategy is aligned with projected air traffic growth. By 2050, passenger numbers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are expected to reach 250 million annually, with NMIA alone designed to handle up to 90 million passengers per year while ensuring robust capacity for cargo and private aviation. Phase 1 also includes parking for 42 commercial aircraft stands and 23 dedicated slots for private jets and general aviation, addressing a long-standing shortage of private aircraft parking in the region.

Freeze your calendars as Hyderabad gears up to host one of the most anticipated Cold Chain events of the year. Cold Chain Unbroken (CCUB) 2025, scheduled for 18 and 19 September, will serve as a strategic platform to address the evolving needs of temperature-controlled logistics in the Global South amid shifting geopolitics. The two-day event will spotlight themes such as creating world-class ecosystems for perishables and pharma, next-gen packaging for Cold Chain 2.0, boosting innovation and sustainability, enhancing performance and examining the India–US equation and its impact on pharma and perishable exports. With a strong focus on real-time visibility and tech-driven trust, CCUB 2025 will bring together leaders from logistics, air cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables and warehousing to share insights and explore the future of the sector. As India’s cold chain industry witnesses rapid growth, Hyderabad—the nation’s leading hub for pharma and agri exports—offers the perfect backdrop for collaboration, knowledge exchange and the unveiling of transformative solutions.

Bridges Air Cargo has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190 converted freighter to boost global operations. The Maltese cargo carrier said it had begun ‘onboarding’ the aircraft, owned by US lessor Regional One. Their official Linkedin post stated, “We are thrilled to announce that we are onboarding our first Embraer ERJ-190 converted freighter – a first of its kind in the aviation world. This marks an exciting milestone in our journey as a growing cargo airline. The ERJ-190F will strengthen our ability to serve our customers with greater efficiency, flexibility, and reliability.” The airline added that it expected to receive its second E190F soon.

Air One International Holdings has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter for use by affiliate British cargo airline, One Air and said it is expecting a second B777F to be delivered by the end of the year. The production freighter is the first of two new 777Fs purchased by AeroTransCargo FZE, the aviation asset management company and subsidiary of Air One International Holdings. The first 777F will be placed on an operating lease with East Midlands Airport-based airline, One Air and is painted in One Air’s blue, yellow and white livery. The second aircraft is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year. One Air currently has three 747-400Fs as well as the recently delivered 777F, said reports.  

Block your calendar to discover new opportunities at the forthcoming Central Asia Air Cargo Summit to be held from 23-24 September—a must-attend event for the global air cargo industry. As Central Asia rapidly emerges as a strategic logistics and trade hub between Europe and Asia, this summit offers a unique platform to explore new market opportunities, forge partnerships and gain insights into regional developments. Connect with airlines, freight forwarders, cargo operators, and government officials to discuss infrastructure, policy, and innovation. Whether you’re expanding your network or exploring investments, this summit is your gateway to one of the fastest-growing cargo regions in the world. Don’t miss this pivotal industry event!

Ahmedabad’s new Integrated Cargo Terminal now handles nearly 70 per cent of the city’s international cargo. The terminal is handling about 5,000 metric tonnes along with a similar volume of domestic freight. Spread across 21,000 sq m, with provision for future expansion capacity up to 33,000 sq m, the facility is already seeing a major shift from airlines. Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines have moved their freight operations to the new hub, while Blue Dart and SpiceJet are set to commence services next week, said various online reports.