Category Archives: Aviation

Jinali Gandhi, Director – Global Growth & Expansion, Gandhi Automations said, “Safety is at the heart of all our designs. Our dock levelers have anti-slip checkered platforms and built-in safety features that prevent workers and forklifts from falling off the edge. High-speed doors come with sensors that stop the door if a person or vehicle is detected. Dock shelters create a sealed environment to protect goods from weather, dust, and pests. Additionally, we follow international safety standards in design and installation to minimize the risk of accidents and product damage during loading and unloading. We design our products to grow along with our customers’ evolving needs. A number of our systems are modular in nature, allowing them to be expanded or upgraded over time. Many of our solutions also feature smart control sensors and automation options that can integrate seamlessly with warehouse management systems or existing building infrastructure. For example, our high-speed doors can be connected to sensors and access systems for hands-free operation. Whether a customer is beginning with basic automation or operating a fully smart warehouse, our solutions are built with the flexibility to adapt to future requirements.”

Malcolm Dsouza. CEO, KSH Distriparks said, “GPS helps monitor vehicle and container tracking. Drivers training for defensive driving and education on vehicle health to reduce accidents and zero fatalities. Vehicle health check up and periodic maintenance, Geo fencing through GPS for cargo and vehicle safety. The infrastructure has seen huge developments in the last few years, average container turnaround time in the ports areas have seen improvements due to the construction of new roads and flyovers. The missing link on the Mumbai Pune expressway will be a significant game changer for the heavy vehicles. Rail infrastructure is also to see a significant development between Mumbai and Pune. The proposed ring road to create better access between the national highways and stand alone MIDC’s.”

Softlink Global educates customers about LogiTrack, an extension of its LogiSys platform that brings real-time shipment tracking and booking management into one easy-to-use digital tool, in a webinar. The session saw participation from over 300 attendees, including freight forwarders, logistics professionals, and customers from across the industry. Led by Ashwin Mishra, Head – Product team and Vishal Pawar, Sr. Manager – Product, the webinar gave attendees a comprehensive look into how LogiTrack is transforming the way logistics businesses manage shipment visibility, documentation, and communication – all on a single unified platform. What is LogiTrack? LogiTrack is a branded customer portal within Softlink’s Logi-Sys platform, built specifically for freight forwarders. It enables forwarders to offer their customers—shippers and consignees—a secure, self-service interface for real-time shipment tracking, document management, and financial visibility. More than just a tracking tool, LogiTrack acts as an extension of the forwarder’s brand, empowering them to deliver transparency, build trust, and enhance customer relationships. It consolidates critical shipment information into a single platform, reducing communication gaps and helping forwarders stand out in a competitive logistics landscape. Key Highlights from the Webinar Real-time Tracking: Users can see live updates of shipments via a map view, including location tracking using AIS data. Easy Booking: Customers can send booking requests directly to logistics service providers (LSPs), attach documents, and receive timely updates. Invoice Access: Shippers can view, verify, and download invoices and documents directly through the platform – no more endless email chains! User-Friendly Interface: LogiTrack works seamlessly across mobile and desktop, and can even be embedded into customer websites. Approvals Made Simple: The tool includes workflows for approving shipping documents, keeping records locked and secure. White-label Ready: Businesses can brand …

According to IATA, seasonal demand, front loading of shipments to avoid tariffs and lower fuel prices helped air cargo demand rise again in April, but airlines need to remain ready for trade changes, IATA has warned. The trade association said that total demand, measured in cargo tonne km (CTK), rose by 5.8% year on year. Month-on-month, demand also rose by 2.3%. Demand rose 4.4% year on year in March due to front loading of cargo. Fashion and consumer goods are typically shipped between April and June, ahead of the summer retail cycle, supporting these numbers. Moreover, front-loading aimed at avoiding the upcoming US tariff change on 2 May, 2025, regarding lifting of the de minimis allowance, contributed as well,” said IATA in its Air Cargo Market Analysis for April. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne km (ACTK), increased by 6.3%. The cargo load factor (CLF)—measured as CTK divided by ACTK—stood at 43.9%, a 0.2 percentage point decline compared to April 2024.

Zeeshan Mukhi, Vice President – Freight Forwarding, Subcontinent DP World said, “Significant investments are being channelled into specialised warehousing for high-growth segments like e-commerce, perishables, and pharmaceuticals, creating new opportunities for Indian exporters and strengthening domestic supply chains. While growth prospects are strong, challenges persist in multimodal connectivity and last-mile logistics. Addressing these gaps, DP World has developed an integrated ecosystem comprising 3 free trade warehousing zones, 5 million square feet of warehousing space, and a 15,000-pincode express network. As India’s one of the largest private rail freight operator with 16,000+ containers and 7 inland terminals, the company is enhancing critical connectivity between ports, airports, and hinterland markets. Private sector efforts complement government initiatives like the UDAN 5.0 scheme which is upgrading cargo infrastructure at 24+ Tier 2/3 city airports. The convergence of public and private investment is creating seamless logistics solutions that boost India’s trade competitiveness. With the air cargo sector projected to maintain its double-digit growth trajectory, these coordinated developments position India to capitalize on shifting global supply chains and meet rising demand for efficient freight solutions.”

Lufthansa Cargo has introduced a new AI-driven system to speed up how it processes booking requests. By combining AI with robotic process automation, the airline can now automatically extract booking details from unstructured customer emails and input them directly into its system, removing the need for manual entry. Customers then receive immediate, fully automated booking confirmations instead of waiting for manual processing. While most bookings already come through structured digital platforms, Lufthansa still receives many requests in formats such as plain text or file attachments. Previously, these had to be transferred manually. The new system eliminates that step, making the booking process quicker and reducing the chance of errors. Sales teams benefit from fewer repetitive tasks, giving them more time to interact personally with customers instead of managing administrative duties.

  According to WorldACD Market Data, “Global air cargo volumes saw a notable recovery in mid-May, with a 6 per cent week-on-week (WoW) increase in tonnages during week 20 (12–18 May), largely driven by a resurgence from Asia Pacific. This rebound follows a recent softening of US-China trade tensions and the end of holiday disruptions in Japan and South Korea.” According to the data, the majority of the global tonnage gain came from China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Japan recorded a sharp 60% WoW increase and South Korea rose by 21%, both bouncing back from public holidays. Meanwhile, volumes from China and Hong Kong rose by 8% WoW, spurred by an interim US-China agreement that reversed or delayed new tariffs and softened restrictions on low-value imports. As a result, shipments from China and Hong Kong to the US surged 19% WoW, returning to levels seen before the recent slump caused by tariff hikes.

Panattoni announced its expansion plan for Panattoni Park, Hosur I, a 25-acre development in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Located in Hosur, Panattoni Park, Hosur I spans over 25 acres (approximately 11 lakh sq. ft.), with Phase 1 featuring a built-up area of 550,000 sq. ft. Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2026. Designed to global standards, Panattoni Park, Hosur I will cater to a diverse mix of occupiers — from e-commerce and 3PL players to FMCG and manufacturing companies — offering scalable, high-performance infrastructure built to Grade A specifications. The development will also integrate sustainable building practices, aligned with Panattoni’s global ESG commitment. Situated just 50 km from Bangalore’s Central Business District (MG Road) and 11 km from Hosur Town, Panattoni Park, Hosur I offers exceptional access to major transit routes.It lies only 5 km from National Highway 44 (Bangalore – Chennai Highway), 4 km from the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR), and 7 km from SIPCOT Phase 2, enabling direct connectivity to established industrial ecosystems and logistics corridors. The project’s location leverages Hosur’s growing reputation as a hub for automotive and EV manufacturing, making it an attractive proposition for companies seeking proximity to Bengaluru with the benefit of cost-efficient real estate and access to a skilled workforce.

“India has recognised the importance of expanding its domestic air cargo ecosystem beyond just the metro cities and that is where Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are starting to play a much bigger role,” Amit Tandon, MD, Asia Shipping India. He added, “One of the most impactful initiatives has been the UDAN scheme, which focuses on improving regional air connectivity. Under this, many smaller airports have been upgraded to handle not just passenger traffic but also cargo—especially for sectors like agriculture, pharma and e-commerce that need faster, more efficient logistics. More airports are being developed under this scheme as greenfield projects. A strong momentum is also seen through PMGS and NLP initiatives, both of which prioritise developing multimodal logistics infrastructure in non-metro regions. These efforts are aimed at linking regional production hubs, like textile clusters, industrial parks and agri zones, to national and international markets via air. The increasing connectivity of the moffusil airports to the gateway airports also improves the efficiency of the export activity for the perishable products. What is promising is the growing investment in infrastructure like modern and well-equipped warehouses, temperature-controlled storage, digital cargo tracking, and bonded warehousing, at regional airports.  Private players are also stepping in, which is helping to accelerate the process. Furthermore, cities like Indore, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Guwahati and other export centres are already emerging as cargo nodes, and this trend is only going to strengthen with the passage of time. It’s a big step forward for inclusive trade growth and building a truly nationwide logistics network.”

Blue Dart Express announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2025, following the conclusion of its Board Meeting which was held in Mumbai. In a fiscal year which was shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, macroeconomic volatility, and sectoral challenges, the company delivered a stable performance, underscoring its operational resilience and ability to maintain service continuity across markets. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Blue Dart reported revenue from operations of ₹ 5,720 crore and profit after tax of ₹ 245 crore. For the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q4 FY25), revenue from operations stood at ₹ 1,417 crore. Profit after tax for the quarter stood at ₹ 53 crore. Commenting on the announcement, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express, said, “Our focus in FY25 was on delivering consistency, maintaining service quality, and enhancing our offering strength with significant investments towards our aviation capabilities and infrastructure, an approach that will continue as we gear up for the future. With a long-term perspective on these investments, we remain committed to reinforcing our core, adopting technology for efficiency, and delivering reliable service. Several of these investments are front-loaded, and we anticipate upcoming business growth to drive cost optimization. As we look ahead to FY26, we remain cautiously optimistic amid ongoing external uncertainties. Nonetheless, Blue Dart will continue to invest in expanding our network, advancing digital capabilities, and embedding sustainable practices to drive long-term operational strength to enhance service capabilities, deepen customer trust, and build operational resilience.” In the fiscal year gone by, Blue Dart was recognized for excellence across key areas including customer service, sustainability, compliance, and brand loyalty. The company continued to be recognized as …