Category Archives: Aviation

IAG Cargo has launched a new cargo handling facility at London Heathrow Airport that enables it to more than double the amount of premium loose shipments it can handle daily. Measuring over 10,000 m2, the semi-automated New Premia facility will serve as IAG Cargo’s new home for handling premium loose shipments. To support the increase in cargo handling capacity, the facility features bespoke IT systems and systems integration to regulate freight movements and allocations. It has been designed to be as efficient as possible, with 11 new landside doors, meaning even faster engagement for drivers to collect or drop off cargo, said release. The temperature-controlled building includes a state-of-the-art Constant Climate Quality Centre (CCQC) for pharmaceuticals, with 29 dedicated cool cells and temperature facilities available from +2°C to +8°C (COL), +15°C to +25°C (CRT) and -20°C (FRO) ensuring sensitive shipments are held in a temperature-controlled environment at all times. Additionally, the +15°C to +25°C (CRT) chamber includes two dedicated break and build workstations. The new facility is certified under IAG Cargo’s Good Distribution Practice (GDP) WDA licence issued by the UK Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency. Operationally, four large ‘transfer vehicles’ have been introduced which service the 20 new break and build workstations. These vehicles pass through the 11 rapid-rise delivery doors allowing cargo to be moved autonomously through the facility and into storage in advance of collection and delivery to the aircraft for exports and similarly the process works in reverse for imports. This process uses ground-breaking technology as the system is fully integrated with IAG Cargo’s existing Warehouse Management System – which is the first time globally that this integration has been delivered.

Cooling solutions company, Tan90 is all set to enter Tier-2 cities in India with the launch of a unique cold chain model, ‘Cooling as a Service’ (CaaS), where it offers cooling solutions on lease to businesses that do not own blast freezers required to freeze the panels, i.e., thermal batteries. The company has plans to cash in on the growing demand for cold chain solutions. It also has plans to expand overseas, particularly in Southeast Asia and has raised a Rs. 11.32 crore pre-Series A investment round co-led by Blue Ashva Capital and Capital A, with participation from 3i Partners and a clutch of angel investors based out of Singapore, the Middle East, and India. The main purpose of this round is to expand overseas with a particular focus on Southeast Asia.

Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) and Yamuna International Airport (YIAPL), have signed a concession agreement to build a state-of-the-art multi-modal cargo hub (MMCH) at Noida International Airport. Sanjay Gupta, CEO of AISATS, and Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of YIAPL, signed the agreement at a ceremony held on May 30, 2023, at Noida. The MMCH, spanning across 87 acres, will be a pioneering facility in India that comprises an Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT) and an Integrated Warehousing & Logistics Zone (IWLZ). The strategic location of this first-of-its-kind cargo hub will seamlessly connect multiple modes of transportation with consolidated ancillary and value-added services, establishing a highly efficient route for cargo throughput across India and abroad. AISATS has been entrusted with the responsibility of designing, building, financing and operating the MMCH, further emphasizing its significance in transforming the logistics and cargo industry. Through this facility, AISATS aims to provide India’s logistics sector with a world-beating cargo processing and transportation grid that will help reduce logistics costs significantly, streamline processes for seamless coordination, and bring speed and transparency to the country’s supply chain. Nipun Aggarwal, Chairman of AISATS, said, “Air India sees tremendous growth opportunities in Uttar Pradesh and is keen to provide seamless cargo connectivity within the state to power this growth. The AISATS MMCH at Noida will play an integral part in providing just-in-time cargo facilities for the North India region and will support in levelling up the Indian logistics and air cargo sectors with state-of-the-art infrastructure, value-added services and improved cost efficiency. We have no doubt it will have a knock-on effect and help increase India’s trade, provide employment opportunities and ease the movement of goods across the country.” Sanjay Gupta, …

Global aviation services group, Air Partner, has joined forces with Worldwide GSA, a sister company of the Air Logistics Group, to enhance and expand its cargo offering in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, said release. The partnership will allow Air Partner to extend its cargo footprint in key APAC countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand. By collaborating with Worldwide GSA, Air Partner aims to leverage the regional expertise and established network of the Air Logistics Group, enabling seamless coordination and operational support for cargo charters throughout the APAC region. Worldwide GSA will act as Air Partner’s first representatives in the region, facilitating increased access to Air Partner’s comprehensive range of solutions. As the charter-desk for the Worldwide GSA group in APAC, Air Partner will leverage its expertise and industry-leading capabilities to deliver efficient and tailored cargo charter services to customers across various industries. The partnership aligns with Air Partner’s strategy to continue to grow its presence in the region, having recently expanded its office in Dubai as part of its plans to double its workforce in the Middle East. Commenting on the partnership, Pierre Van Der Stichele, Vice President of Air Partner’s Global Cargo division at Air Partner, said: “Our collaboration with Worldwide GSA will enable us to strengthen our presence in key markets and provide our customers with enhanced access to our solutions. With the support of Worldwide GSA, we are confident in delivering seamless logistics solutions to meet the growing demand for air cargo services in the region.” Maggie Goh, CEO of Worldwide GSA group, said: “At Worldwide GSA, we are committed to delivering exceptional air cargo solutions to …

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has strengthening economic ties with Republic of India to investment opportunities between the two trade nations. The trade’s first leg commenced with UAE-India Business Forum held in Mumbai which highlighted investment advantages of Sharjah and Mumbai while highlighting the vast array of promising opportunities available across various economic sectors. The UAE-India Business Forum, organised by the SCCI, brought together key business leaders, government officials, and industry experts from both Sharjah and Mumbai. Sharjah and Mumbai, recognised as leading industrial and commercial centers in their respective regions, were praised for their significant contributions to the economic growth of the UAE and India. Led by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the mission, organised by the Sharjah Export Development Centre, aimed to build on the successes being achieved by the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in May 2022. The agreement represents a new era of economic cooperation, based on mutual interests between the two friendly nations. The forum featured bilateral meetings between SCCI businessmen and their counterparts in Mumbai. The discussions revolved around investment opportunities and advantages available in both countries to foster partnerships that serve the private sector, increase trade exchange, and establish projects in various sectors.

RattanIndia Enterprises Ltd (REL) announced the launch of a new cargo drone, L-40, by its company TAS (Throttle Aerospace Systems) to double its cargo capacity to 40kg. “This quantum leap in the carrying capacity of our drones demonstrates the commitment of our company to the delivery drone’s category, which is likely to reach Rs 2,50,000 crore by 2031, as per the market estimates. We expect the delivery drone market to be on an upward trajectory, and we are not only going to seize this opportunity but also set new benchmarks in this segment,” Anjali Rattan, Business Chairperson of RattanIndia Enterprises Limited, said. Within the last quarter, the company launched the L-20 and L-15 and doubled its carrying capacity from 20kg to a staggering 40kg. In February, the L-Series platform was launched with four variants covering high and medium altitudes. Defence, e-commerce, healthcare, paramilitary, and the police are the prime customers of the L-series. These drones are very easy to deploy, can be made ready in a short period of time, come with many ‘fail safe’ features and can be operated by a two-member team.

Cargo iQ has partnered with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the Airport Services Association (ASA) to set goals for enhanced standard practices across the air cargo supply chain. The objective of the alliance is to strengthen collaboration between forwarder, ground handler, and airline communities, working on a global basis to achieve common standards and enhanced quality. The decision was made at Cargo iQ’s most recent board meeting that FIATA’s Director General, Stéphane Graber, and ASA’s Director General, Fabio Gamba, will attend all Cargo iQ board meetings as observers and work together with the board members, with a view to intensifying the co-operation in the future. “Cargo iQ – an interest group strongly supported by IATA – shares lots of similar goals with FIATA and ASA as all three of us strive to improve standards, data use, and processes in line with shippers’ requirements for a solid and objective quality certification program, so why not work together instead of reinventing the wheel,” said Lothar Moehle, Executive Director, Cargo iQ. “We look forward to continuing the dialogue about how we can help further each other’s ambitions and progress – this is the start of a strong co-operation for the future.”

Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company notes, “Logistics cost for goods carried by air is already at eight per cent of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value. It reaches 14 per cent only when all modes of transportation such as road, rail, sea and air are combined together. This also includes inventory holding cost. World bank formula is linked to GDP.” Logistics costs is one of the challenges which the industry is facing at present. According to reports, it accounts for 14 per cent of GDP, with 60 per cent direct costs and 40 per cent indirect costs, compared to an average of 10 per cent indirect costs in developed countries. Also, The value of the Indian logistics sector was $250 billion in 2021. Growing at an impressive CAGR of 10-12 per cent, it may reach $350 billion by 2025.

Neutral Air Partner (NAP) has partnered with the ATEM Group to launch NeX e-commerce supply chain logistics network. “NeX is an international group of experts focused on advancing the interests of the e-commerce supply chain logistics industry. This is a strategic partnership that brings together a collective of industry-leading logistics providers committed to delivering flawless omni-channel fulfilment operations, cross-border transportation, distribution, return logistics, and end-to-end e-supply chain management,” said an official release from NeX. The network includes highly specialised supply chain logistics experts including express couriers, postal brokers/operators, linehaul consolidators, first & last mile operators, gateway customs brokers, return/reverse logisticians, resellers/wholesalers, e-fulfillment providers, e-commerce marketplaces, 3PLs & distribution providers, tech and solution providers, consultants, carriers, e-tailers, and shippers, the release added. “NeX is an innovative platform that will revolutionise the e-commerce supply chain industry,” said Christos Spyrou, CEO, Neutral Air Partner. “We are proud to partner with the ATEM Group to create the most advanced network of supply chain experts. NeX will provide members with the tools and resources they need to stay competitive in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape with the power of NAP. NeX members benefit from the global reach of e-commerce experts, building trust in a complex sector, express mail and freight buying power, advanced e-logistics community tools, omnichannel network operations, global contracts with carriers and postal operators, volume incentive schemes, and industry recognition of excellence.”

As part of its expansion strategy, Challenge Group is ready to receive investment of over €60m from Investec Aviation Finance to support acquisition and freighter conversion of a batch of four Boeing 767-300ERs. “This conversion programme is the keystone in Challenge Group’s expansion strategy as it allows it to increase its current fleet of eight widebody freighters,” says the company’s chief investment officer, Michael Koish. “This was no straightforward financing deal. But thanks to strong co-operation and out-of-the box thinking, we were able to solve some of the complicated issues that popped up along the way.” Challenge Group’s logistics operation also includes a cargo terminal in Liege. Investec says the funding has been underwritten jointly by its UK and South African aviation arms. Challenge Group operates carrier divisions in Israel – the company formerly known as CAL Cargo Airlines – as well as Belgium and Malta, and its fleet includes Boeing 747-400 as well as 767 freighters.