Category Archives: Aviation

Global air cargo tonnages in June show a continuation of the flat trend we have seen since the beginning of the month, while average rates remain on a slightly sliding trend, According to WorldACD’s latest market summary. “Comparing the overall global market with this time last year, chargeable weight in weeks 24 and 25 was down 6% compared with the equivalent period last year, mainly driven by decreases in tonnages ex-North America (-17%), ex-Europe (-9%) and ex-Asia (-3%). Increases were recorded ex-Africa (+5%), ex-Central & South America (+3%) and ex-Middle East & South Asia (+3%). Capacity for the period, meanwhile, was up 11% compared with last year,” the data indicated.

Global freight forwarders need more support than ever in the form of collaboration on multimodality, trade facilitation, and capacity building, says Dr. Ivon Petrov, President, FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations. He adds, “The association is collaborating with many United Nations’ divisions like UNCTAD, UNCITRAL, UNESCAP, UNECE, the WTO, IRU, UIC, ITC, and many others, to bring members the support they need at this uncertain time. Thanks to the work of the FIATA Advisory Body on International Affairs, FIATA has produced a WTO-TFA guidance to help members to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. FIATA also continues to advocate for accessible AEO programmes that offer comprehensive benefits to businesses of all sizes, and guidance on Business Continuity about Authorized Economic Operators. FIATA will continue to facilitate webinars about multimodal corridors like we did in the past.”

The Delhi Customs Brokers Association (DCBA) in its 39th AGM discussed course of action for malpractices happening in different ports/customs locations. The AGM has also approved some important constitutional amendments to eradicate ambiguities, adopt digitalization and benefit the Customs Brokers at large irrespective of whether their parent license is issued by Delhi Customs Commissionerate or by others some in the country. The constitutional amendments include: Eliminating the process for intimation by members regarding suspension of their license to claim waiver of all charges of DCBA from the revocation of license till restoration of the same with supporting evidence of the Restoration of License. If any vacancy occurs in any year for the President post during the intervening period between the two Annual General Meetings, the Vice President will take additional charge as Officiating President till the next AGM. If the ensuing AGM is a non-election AGM, the House of this AGM will elect the President for the next one year. The provision of digital issuance of membership certificates will be inserted in the existing provision. The provision of voting through EVM/ any other technology introduced in the near future will be inserted in Section 19(a) of The Articles of Association. its 39th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) on June 25, 2023 in New Delhi. The AGM was participated by a large number of DCBA Members to discuss the activities of the DCBA during the last one year and future course of action in view of some pressing issues including day to day operational issues and mal-practices happening in different ports/customs locations.

Qatar Airways Cargo has introduced two Boeing 777 freighters to Dammam in Riyadh. The newly added freighter will increase weekly capacity to 350 tonnes each way. “A new freighter frequency was also introduced to Riyadh, bringing the total frequencies to five Boeing 777 freighters each week on top of the four daily passenger flights, providing over 850 tonnes of cargo capacity each way to and from Riyadh,” says a LinkedIn Post. Qatar Airways Cargo commenced freighter operations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November 2022. Before the two newly added freighters, as per the official release, the Boeing 777 freighter offered a cargo capacity of 100 tonnes per flight. Qatar Airways Cargo, in June this year, reintroduced flights to Haneda, Nice, Manama, and Sarajevo while continuing to expand its Middle East operations. With the reintroduction of passenger flights, the total weekly tonnage available to and from Japan now stands at 600 tonnes each way.

DRONECO, the logistic arm of Drone tech startup TSAW Drones has set an ambitious goal to complete over 10 Lakhs deliveries in 2023. DRONECO has covered an impressive total distance of 6920 kms+ and delivered a cumulative weight of 620 Kgs+. DRONECO currently serving areas such as Kolkata and Nizamabad and a pilot run is going on the Noida-Meerut (NCR) route. DRONECO aims to extend its delivery services to 2 new states with 2 new routes which includes Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh. Currently, the brand is witnessing high deliveries from the medical sector delivery and with its aggressive outreach approach looking forward to adding e-commerce, Q-commerce, Agriculture, and Defence deliveries in services. DRONECO’s client roster comprises renowned names in the industry, including Medvolant, TATA 1MG, GIMS, and Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine. Kishan Tiwari, Co-Founder and CEO of TSAW Drones, stated “We are thrilled to set the bar high and aim for over 1 million deliveries by the end of this year. This ambitious target is a testament to the tremendous growth and success we have achieved thus far.” He added, “At DRONECO, we are driven by the belief that the sky is not the limit, but our launching pad for endless possibilities. With each successful delivery, we are bridging distances, eliminating barriers, and bringing convenience to doorsteps. DRONECO is not only meant to serve as a seamless drone delivery platform; it stands as a gateway to a new era of connectivity. Together, alongside TSAW, we are making the impossible, possible by rewriting the rules of delivery to shape the future of logistics. A future where more cities, more businesses, and more people can rely on our innovative solutions to …

The logistics and air cargo industry is expected to maintain an impressive growth trajectory, driven by factors like robust economic growth, increased consumer spending, and the expansion of e-commerce, says Xerrxes Master, President of AMTOI. The Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India recently held its Annual Ball celebrations in Mumbai. The event brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, and esteemed guests from across the country, providing an exceptional networking platform and fostering collaborative opportunities. During the Gala Dinner, AMTOI honoured its illustrious past presidents and stalwarts, recognizing their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the multimodal transport sector in India. The event also celebrated completion of 150 years of Mumbai port trust and felicitated Rajiv Jalota, Chairman of MbPT. “We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of our past presidents and stalwarts, who have been instrumental in steering AMTOI to new heights. This Gala Dinner not only celebrated our Annual Day but also paid homage to the visionary leaders who have shaped the destiny of our association. We enjoyed an enchanting evening filled with shared memories, insightful conversations, and renewed commitments to drive the multimodal transport industry towards a prosperous future.”

cargo-partner has opened a new iLogistics Center with 20,000 m² of warehouse space in Istanbul. Close to the new Istanbul airport and the region’s main seaports, and ideally connected to Europe via North Marmara Highway, the Center offers a wide range of logistics services to cargo-partner’s customers in Turkey. With a total storage area of 20,000 m², including 5,850 m² of bonded warehouse space, cargo-partner’s iLogistics Center Istanbul represents a new milestone for the company’s organization in Turkey. The new iLogistics Center will create more than 85 new jobs, increasing the total number of cargo-partner employees in Turkey to almost 250 by the end of the year. The warehouse provides a capacity of more than 20,000 pallet slots and has 17 loading docks for all vehicle types, enabling fast transshipment, customs bonded warehousing and distribution throughout the region. The facility’s modern design allows for efficient handling and storage of oversized goods, flexible multi-modal services and comprehensive high-tech logistics solutions.

Etihad Cargo has appointed Wallenborn Transports as its road feeder service (RFS) partner for Europe to expand its scheduled and specialised services across 27 countries, facilitating the transportation of cargo between Etihad Cargo’s main European gateways, including Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt, and offline stations. Etihad Cargo’s customers will benefit from the complete transparency provided by integrated telematics technology. “Providing seamless connectivity between Etihad Cargo’s European main freighter gateways and offline destinations is essential to meeting the carrier’s delivery promises,” said Etihad Cargo’s Head of Cargo Operations and Delivery, Thomas Schürmann. “Strategic partnerships with leading RFS providers such as Wallenborn strengthen Etihad Cargo’s value proposition and will enable the carrier to further expand operations in Europe, which is a key territory for the airline. “Etihad Cargo remains committed to being the air cargo partner of choice and is achieving this through the provision of fast, efficient and reliable transportation of cargo from its arrival in-country to its final destination.”

Freight forwarders and ground handlers face pain points like limited transparency, lack of visibility and infra within the air cargo ecosystem, says Sanjay Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, AISATS. These pain points not only create operational inefficiencies but also increase the overall cost of logistics, he adds saying, “AISATS’s upcoming multimodal cargo hub (MMCH) infra and cutting-edge technologies work to bring greater transparency and visibility to even the most complex cargo processes through digital documentation, real-time cargo tracking and predictive analytics for cargo delivery times.” Traditional air cargo gateways also tend to experience infrastructure bottlenecks and capacity challenges due to warehousing and logistics constraints. Our integrated approach allows us to leverage efficient design layouts and advanced technologies to alleviate these bottlenecks and optimize cargo flows, he further adds. “Technologies such as COSYS+, automated material handling systems, autonomous vehicles (for direct connectivity between the ICT and IWLZ), RFID trackers, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning allow for a higher cargo throughput across less space with lower dwell times at the AISATS MMCH. Our Single Window Airport Cargo Community and Trucking Center will reduce these bottlenecks even further. We know how to process cargo through a multi-modal cargo hub with a deft combination of cutting-edge infrastructure, digital processes and timely data sharing, and this expertise allows us to overcome the usual bottlenecks to efficiently provide multi-modal just-in-time cargo facilities, with seamless connectivity and integration at reduced costs.”

Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) unveiled its newly renovated runway. The second largest cargo hub in the Netherlands has invested EUR35.3 million to upgrade the airstrip as part of a plan to extend its operational length to 2,750 meters by January 2025. The eight-week renovation was part of Maastricht Aachen Airport’s overall infrastructure development plan to invest EUR100 million in the airport over the coming years. Sustainability was the key theme of the ceremony, with an electric plane used to officially open the runway after RWTH Aachen University professor Dr Günther Schuh delivered a speech on the future of sustainable aviation. “Today, we are celebrating the launch of our newly improved runway and looking back over the hard work that has gone into the planning and execution of this project – but we are also looking forward,” said Jos Roeven, Chief Executive Officer, Maastricht Aachen Airport.