Category Archives: Aviation

Pramod Menon, Vice President – Cargo, Rainbow Aviation says, “The government has launched initiatives to modernise 150 underutilised airports and airstrips across the country, which will boost air cargo capabilities and regional connectivity. In terms of air cargo infrastructure, there are plans to establish dedicated cargo terminals, and cold storage facilities for perishables. Automated storage and retrieval systems, mechanised cargo handling systems, and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems will also be introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency. However, despite these efforts, there is still a need for significant investment in logistics infrastructure, including basic requirements of warehousing, transportation, and technology upgrades. The Indian logistics sector is expected to grow significantly, driven by the e-commerce boom, Make in India Initiative (government initiatives), and investments in infrastructure. Overall, while there have been notable improvements in air cargo and logistics infrastructure, there is still a long way to go to meet the growing demands of the sector.”

Arun Chandra, BIAL, Vice President – Aviation Business, BIAL says, “To support the growing demand, Public-private partnerships should drive investment in green infrastructure, ensuring sustainability while expanding capacity.  Furthermore, the government, in collaboration with stakeholders, should evaluate existing procedures and processes, aiming to adopt global best practices. This will help streamline air cargo operations in India, making them more efficient and growth focused. BLR Airport with its enhanced connectivity and state-of-the-art infrastructure, has established itself as a key airport for air cargo operations in India, enabling seamless global trade. In FY 2023-24, BLR Airport handled 44% of South India’s total perishable cargo and contributed 28% to the national perishable cargo share, showcasing its pivotal role in supporting industries reliant on temperature-sensitive logistics. The standards of infrastructure in the air cargo and logistics sectors have witnessed significant progress in recent years, with technological advancements, cold chain facilities, and streamlined customs processes. However, India’s air cargo and logistics sector requires infrastructural advancements to accommodate growing demand and achieve global competitiveness specifically from sectors like the e-commerce.  Modernising the cargo terminals with state-of-the-art infrastructure, streamlined processes, and digital innovation is essential to unlocking the sector’s potential and meeting international standards.”

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling at VCJ Foundation says, “To tackle peak hour challenges and airport congestion, we should leverage advanced technology like AI-driven traffic management systems and real-time passenger flow analytics. Implementing smart queuing solutions and enhancing communication through mobile apps can streamline processes. Additionally, promoting staggered flight schedules and flexible check-in options can distribute demand more evenly, improving the overall passenger experience and operational efficiency at airports.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo says, “The congestion mainly at the airports of metro cities begins from the cargo offloading at the limited truck-doc areas due to departure schedules of flights of several carriers coinciding with each other followed by a delayed process of weighment by the custodian. An absence of regulated parking & offloading processes at the platforms results in bunching of huge cargo at any given time. The subsequent congestion occurs for the screening process wherein large quantum of cargo queues up for their turns incurring considerable delays. Thus, all the related agencies have to provide the requisite facilities commensurate with the growth of cargo tonnage facilitating hassle free timely handling of processes. The related agencies must install additional provisions and redesign their systems and processes, wherever needed to be in readiness for any peak demand scenario. They must also consider using technology, coordination, and best practices to optimize the use of resources and minimize delays and congestions.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Efficiently managing peak-hour challenges and congestion at airports requires a multi-faceted approach. Implementing advanced digital tools like AI-powered slot management and real-time tracking can enhance operational flow. Collaborative planning, optimizing terminal layouts, and promoting off-peak cargo processing are critical. Additionally, considering the handling of cargo at off-airport locations, such as Air Freight Stations (AFS), can serve as an effective alternative to manage peak-hour challenges and ensure seamless operations.”

Dinesh Krishnan, Member MC & Chairman, ACAAI Southern Region says, “The peak hours challenges have always been there at the air cargo terminals across the country. Despite many efforts, the flow of cargo post lunch until 9 pm is not smooth & congestion on weekends plague the industry efficiency. Heavy incentive, ‘Happy hours’ (pre-lunch hrs. carting), allows only less than 24 hours uplift on confirmed booking and carting in to shed, additional deployment of assets (manpower and equipment) for peak hours, duty fee and usage of load predicative technology to anticipate in advance the weekly trend to mitigate the problem to some extent. CTO’S needs to find solutions and deploy adequate assets to ensure the terminals are able to process air cargo quickly and efficiently, 24/7 as mandated by contracts.

At the ongoing India International Cargo Show (IICS) in Mumbai, Sanjiv Edward, President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) says, “Air freight services have long been the cornerstone of global trade, offering fast and reliable transportation across continents. As global chains become more complex and e-commerce continues to expand, the need for expedited shipping and air freight also has become relevant. Key industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, high-value goods, heavily rely on air freight, especially for time-sensitive shipments. Today, the logistics market is about 9.8 trillion globally and including 3PL, 4PL, warehousing, freight, everything combined. But currently due to the way the world is going, and the progression of the market is positive, we are looking at about 16, close to 18 trillion by 2032. This presents opportunity for all. Air freight is the backbone of high-value and time-sensitive shipments. Today, it’s about a 300-million-dollar market growing at a CAGR of about 6.2% and it will be closer to about 500 million, 85 million precisely by 2031. And our ambition is to be part of that growth which this industry is going through. Looking at the Indian context, the Indian aviation industry is one of the fastest growing in the world, we know that. We have the government in fact committed to about 920 billion in airport infrastructure. We will be building about 400 plus airports by 2025 and then adding another 200 in two decades.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an ‘Air Cargo Device Assessment Programme’ with the aim of validating air cargo tracking devices, data loggers and sensor-equipped devices for compliance with industry safety standards. IATA explained the assessment programme aims to support more effective delivery of time and temperature sensitive shipments, reduce waste and preserve the integrity of shipments. The trade body said that for device manufacturers, the assessment programme streamlines the validation process by eliminating repetitive documentation requirements, facilitates easier access to airline contacts for device authorisation and enhances visibility in the global market. Airlines are expected to benefit from safer operations with fewer undeclared devices, simplified internal approval processes, and a consolidated repository of approved devices. Shippers and forwarders gain centralised access to approved device information, enabling better planning for routing and carrier selection. The device assessment programme validates compliance with IATA’s Recommended Practice 1693, which provides critical safety guidance for electromagnetic compatibility and battery safety. Validation data will be accessible via ONE Source, which provides a single access point to stakeholders searching for approved tracking devices.

The L.I.T. Group continues its strategic expansion into key global markets with the establishment of L.I.T. Logistics Services India. The new subsidiary operates in Chennai, Cochin, Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, reflecting India’s growing significance in the global marketplace. By launching operations in India, L.I.T. addresses the increasing demand for efficient and reliable logistics solutions in land, sea, and air transportation. The headquarters in Chennai not only offers presence in one of the major ports in India, but also close connectivity to transport networks, along with proximity to key industrial hubs, making it a central pillar of the group’s growth strategy in India. Martin Thomas, a seasoned logistics expert with extensive experience and local expertise in the Indian market, has been appointed as Managing Director. “India has become one of the most important markets globally in recent years. By establishing L.I.T. India, we are making a strategic investment in the country’s growth while bringing our expertise and high-quality standards to this dynamic market,” says Simeon Breuer, Member of the Executive Board of the L.I.T. Group. With the launch of L.I.T. India, the logistics specialist from Brake has, for the first time, established a subsidiary in the world’s most populous country Comprehensive Services With tailored solutions, L.I.T. enables its customers to achieve even greater supply chain efficiency. These customers include companies from industries such as Automotive, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, and Textiles. The new subsidiary focuses on multimodal transport solutions, offering a broad range of services including customs clearance and documentation, warehousing and distribution, and specialized project cargo handling. By leveraging L.I.T.’s global network and in-depth understanding of the Indian market, customers benefit from customized logistics solutions at competitive prices. Key Hub: Chennai …

  The India International Cargo Show (IICS) kick-started on 11th December at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai. The Grand Inaugural Address focusing on Empowering India’s Gateway to the World: A Vision for Next-Gen Logistics and Trade saw the presence of eminent speakers like Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mukesh Oza, Group President and CEO, Samsara Group, Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines, Dushyant Mulani, Chairman  Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI), Shankar Shinde, Chairman, International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA), Sanjiv Edward, President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI). Industry leaders also indulged in various insightful panel discussions on topics such as strengthening global supply chains, future of ocean freight, multimodal logistics and air cargo. The three day event is also organising exhibition for air cargo leaders to meet, greet, network and collaborate.