Category Archives: Aviation

Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) Cargo has received IATA’s Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) certification for its cargo facility at Hamad International Airport in Doha. QAS Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo’s ground handling agent, is the first cargo ground handing agent in the Middle East and Africa region to attain the SFOC certification. The audit that was conducted in April included assessing the cargo handling infrastructure, equipment and implementation of procedures at the Cargo Terminal Complex. The IATA audit team validated the operational procedures of QAS Cargo in compliance with a number of IATA Regulations – IATA Cargo Handling Manual, Dangerous Goods Regulations, Unit Load Device Regulations, Temperature Control Regulations, Live Animals Regulations and Perishable Cargo Regulations. Guillaume Halleux, chief officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, said: “Our growth to becoming the world’s leading air cargo carrier today has been no easy achievement. Our teams have one goal in mind – customer experience. “It is this goal combined with our Next Generation and VISION 2027 strategy through which we have implemented quality procedures in every area of our business. The certification of our hub in Doha reflects the high standards in place to ensure all types of cargo are handled seamlessly and securely, in compliance to all the IATA regulations.”

AI The Game Changer: Embracing the Intelligent Future, is the theme chosen for upcoming 47th Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) convention, which is all set to be held in in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from November 23 to November 26, 2023. The Three-day convention will witness participation from air cargo industry experts including airports, airlines, freight forwarders, custom house agents, associations and end users. M Afzal Malbarwala, President had confirmed, “This year’s Annual Convention will happen in Kuala Lumpur.”

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow 7-8% in the next financial year to reach $57 billion in valuation by FY25 after registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%-8% between FY18 and FY23, according to a report by ratings firm CareEdge. In FY23 alone, the market grew 5 per cent year-on-year to $49.78 billion, up from $35.41 billion noted in FY18. The previous 5 years saw an 8 per cent growth in exports and 6 per cent growth in the domestic market, both of which contribute equally to the sector. Although, the export market in developing countries was in recent years marred by shipping constraints due to the Russia Ukraine conflict, a shortage of dollar reserves in African countries and the depreciation of their own currencies, the increased access to healthcare in these countries may drive growth in the long-term. Developed countries remain a promising market for India, with the US alone making up for 30-35 per cent of the total formulation exports. While recently, price corrections in the US caused by market consolidation were noticed, India nevertheless saw a notable increase in US export sales volume which is expected to sustain on the back of upcoming patent cliff (when products go off-patent) opportunities, as per CareEdge. Drugs worth $188 billion are set to go off patent worldwide between 2023-26, presenting the Indian industry with significant opportunities to expand its market share. The industry’s focus on launching specialty and niche products may also aid growth in the US, the report added.

With berry season taking full swing in Africa, Etihad Cargo is on track to transport up to 500 tonnes of this delicious fruit over the coming months. Using its FreshForward system, moving fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat and flowers has been simplified. Etihad Cargo bears the distinction of being the first Middle East carrier to be awarded the IATA CEIV Fresh certificate, ensuring that the transportation of fresh produce including dairy, vegetables, meat and fish is transported with the highest care. With the help its extensive road feeder services network, Etihad Cargo is trucking strawberries, blueberries and other fresh berries from Zimbabwe and Cape Town to Johannesburg, from where the perishable cargo will make its way to destinations around the world, including the UAE, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok, via its Abu Dhabi hub.

Air China Cargo’s handling business has extended its collaboration with Lufthansa Cargo through the signing of freighter ground handling and cargo handling contracts at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) in China. Under these new agreements, Air China Cargo will provide ground services for Lufthansa Cargo at CTU, including freighter ramp operations, cargo warehousing, aircraft services and crew services. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with LCAG to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, following years of successful cooperation in Beijing,” said Huang Jian, deputy managing director of the cargo terminal business unit of Air China Cargo. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both parties as we expand our presence to another city. We are excited to explore new cooperative opportunities with LCAG in China and continue delivering exceptional services to our customers.” Air China Cargo and Lufthansa Cargo have a longstanding relationship, which has spanned over 30 years in Beijing. Air China Cargo currently operates six cargo terminals across mainland China, including Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu Shuangliu, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, and Hangzhou. The company serves over 60 customer carriers at these airports.

Saudi Arabian airfreight flag carrier Saudia Cargo has recently joined Pharma.Aero. “We extend a heartfelt welcome to Saudia Cargo as it joins Pharma.Aero global community, and look forward to working closely to drive innovation and raise the bar for healthcare logistics! With the addition of Saudia Cargo, Pharma.Aero is proud to expand its reach into the region and further strengthen the collaborative platform of esteemed industry leaders dedicated to excellence in life sciences and MedTech transportation,” says release. A post by Saudia Cargo also stated, “We are proud of this partnership with Pharma.Aero, is a leading global cross-industry platform that aims to ensure the safe and reliable transportation of pharmaceutical products for the purpose of safeguarding humanity. This partnership will allow Saudia Cargo to fulfill its commitment to improving the quality of our services towards our customers and end users by leveraging Pharma.Aero shared knowledge and expertise from global key players within the pharmaceutical ecosystem, proving that combined efforts can lead to improved practices and innovations that can support the needs of the medical sector at large.”

Cathay Cargo has launched its new brand campaign, ‘We Know How,’ showcasing the brand’s strength and experience as a reliable expert in air cargo solutions. From temperature-sensitive vaccines and fresh produce to cars and caring for champion racehorses, Cathay Cargo experts ensure that all cargo arrives ready to make a difference to the world. “We Know How” is the first marketing campaign following the rebranding of Cathay Cargo earlier this year. It focuses on the innovation, people, solutions and service – as well as the “magic” – that are central to Cathay. Rajesh Menon, Regional Head of Cargo – South Asia, Middle East and Africa highlighted: “Our new brand campaign, ‘We Know How’, underlines the important role of cargo within the Cathay Group and showcases our commitment to innovation, exceptional service and the valuable contribution of our dedicated team. “In recent times, it offered the Cathay Group a financial lifeline, but it was a real-world lifeline, too. We delivered essential vaccines and fresh food to Hong Kong and other parts of the world. We helped to keep trade moving across the world and through our hub. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) retained its status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub by tonnage in 2022 as per Airports Council International’s (ACI) rankings.

Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar now connected with Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok through direct flights is all set to restart handling international cargo. According to reports, BPIA is likely to re-launch international cargo handling operations from September to boost exports from the state. The airport is upgrading its facilities to facilitate hassle-free export of goods to other parts of the world. The international cargo terminal will be operated from its earlier location close to the domestic air cargo terminal. The city office of Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the custodian of the international air cargo terminal, said reports. International cargo operations, started in 2017, was discontinued after the Covid-19 pandemic struck and direct flight operations between Bhubaneswar and Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok stopped in 2019. “The cargo terminal is now getting ready for relaunch of the operations,” the sources said.

Noida International Airport (NIA) has selected SITA’s Airport Management System to help automate and streamline the operations of the airport. SITA’s AMS will support NIA’s integrated approach to airport operations, focusing on maximizing efficiency. The agreement includes the provision and operation of systems to allocate gates and counters, boarding bridges, manage traffic flows on the airfield as well as display flight information. SITA will help Noida International Airport with reliable flight information and planning capabilities. The system will empower the airport to review performance, strategize operational efficiency improvements, and capture resource utilization statistics. Under this partnership, SITA will deliver a customized solution that offers flexibility and transparency for all airport partners to ensure smooth and efficient operations. The partnership aims to establish a platform for collaborative decision-making vital for achieving operational efficiencies at Noida International Airport.

India Cargo Awards 2023 is back to honour and appreciate the hard work of the ‘Heroes’ of the Indian Air Cargo and Logistics fraternity. Known as the “Oscars of the Cargo Industry,” the India Cargo Awards 2023 is all set to be held on 24 July 2023, 7 pm at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. The annual awards hosted by Cargo Talk (DDP Group Publication) serves as an all-India platform created with a vision to recognise excellence in the Cargo-Freight-Logistics Industry across various domains, including Rail, Road, Air, Sea, Allied Services, Warehousing, Technology, 3rd Party Logistics, and more. Our world-class awards ceremonies are known for their formal Black-Tie affair, filled with glitz and glamour, attended by the most influential personalities in the Cargo Industry.