Category Archives: Aviation

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers, says, “In the forthcoming budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman faces the challenge of charting India’s economic trajectory in an election year. Acknowledging the nation’s aspirations to become the third-largest economy by 2030, this interim budget serves as a pivotal guide for the road ahead. With favorable conditions of low inflation and robust GDP growth, the government’s focus on the ‘Make in India,’ ‘Digital India,’ and ‘Start-Up India’ initiatives has attracted multinational corporations, propelling economic expansion. The logistics industry, a crucial driver of economic efficiency, anticipates key policy measures to streamline operations. Expectations include simplified regulations, a ‘single window’ for approvals, and a reconsideration of permanent GST exemptions for international transportation services. The budget strategy must align with the PLI schemes and infrastructure investments to mitigate domestic logistics costs and enhance India’s supply chain efficiency, addressing current disparities in global Logistics Performance Index rankings. Additionally, the implementation of the National Logistics Policy and ‘Make in India’ schemes necessitates the alleviation of congestion at international airports. The budget should incentivize off-airport cargo handling locations to ease this strain. Furthermore, a growing call for increased budgetary allocations towards upskilling and vocational training highlights the need to bridge the skill gap and empower the workforce for effective utilization of emerging technologies in the logistics sector. Rationalizing and simplifying cargo movement costs, fostering an ‘Open Sky Policy,’ and tapping into the commercial potential of Tier II and Tier III cities are essential components for India to achieve its ambitious 10 MMT annual cargo throughput target by 2030.”

Tushar Jani, Group Chairman, Cargo Service Center (CSC) said, “The current trouble in the Red Sea will increase some air cargo volume however if the airline increases freight rate, then it will become counterproductive. The industry must work towards keeping a reasonable rate to achieve good growth and allow the supply chain to remain more productive and stable with air cargo compared to increased sea freight cost, provided air cargo remains affordable. We must learn the lesson of Covid where the air cargo rates became so exorbitant that some commodities moved their supply chain through maritime shipping. This is a golden opportunity for air cargo to convert those lost tonnages from maritime shipping back to air cargo, provided we keep the stability of the air freight rates keeping in mind the long-term advantage of growth. This will help in achieving the 10MMT target set up by the Government and Industry mutually.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has seen a notable growth processing a total of 422,644 MT of cargo during CY 2023, indicating a 2% increase from previous year. BLR Airport continues to maintain its standing as a reliable hub for handling Perishable (PER) cargo in India for the third consecutive year, emphasizing its commitment to seamless cargo operations. The domestic sector soared with an impressive 11% growth, highlighting BLR’s strengthening position as a rapidly growing cargo hub in India. Perishables continued to be a key focus, with coriander exports surging by 67%. The export of mangoes reached a three-year tonnage record, achieving a 124% year-on-year growth. 684 MT of mangoes were exported, facilitated by an 86% increase in the number of pieces shipped. This accomplishment highlights BLR Cargo’s robust cold chain capabilities and dedication to efficient perishable handling. BLR Cargo’s strategic infrastructure developments in May 2023 welcomed two new Cargo terminal operators: Menzies Aviation Bangalore Pvt Ltd (MABPL) and WFS Bangalore Pvt Ltd (WFSBPL). MABPL provides dedicated facilities for domestic cargo and international cargo processing, while WFSBPL offers specialized cold chain capabilities in addition to international cargo processing. These partnerships are anticipated to enhance efficiency, expand capacity, and sustain cargo growth for the Airport in the coming years. The developments aim to elevate BLR Cargo’s cargo capacities to approximately ~1 million MT by the end of this decade. July 2023 also marked a significant milestone for BLR Cargo, handling the highest monthly domestic tonnage since the Airport’s opening, totaling 16,507 MT. Additionally, Oman Airlines commenced freighter operations last year, further diversifying and strengthening BLR Cargo’s global connectivity. As we reflect on 2023 as a year of resilience and milestone …

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) shares, “We have witnessed a boom in air cargo traffic in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The growth is attributed to the rise in manufacturing units, increased industrial output, and the expansion of the e-commerce industry. The potential in perishable cargo has also been a major contributor to this development. However, these cities face challenges, including limited funds for upgrading airport infrastructure, where significant investment is needed. Land acquisition for expansion is complex and time consuming. Additionally, attracting private sector participation in these cities is challenging due to lower passenger and cargo volumes to metropolitan airports.”

MSC Cargo’s latest freighter has been delivered and will be put into action on the transpacific. The new-build Boeing 777F was this week delivered to lessor Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and is the last of four aircraft to be delivered for its long-term ACMI agreement with MSC. The inaugural 777F was delivered in November 2022, with the second and third 777Fs being delivered in July and November 2023, respectively. Atlas said the freighter would complement the existing weekly service, including a route from Hong Kong to Dallas Fort Worth. Anders Matikka, vice president, air cargo, MSC, said: “This latest 777 Freighter delivery represents a pivotal moment and significant milestone for our company as it marks the completion of our first set of aircraft in partnership with Atlas Air. “This new and enhanced fleet will empower us to elevate our offering, ensuring enhanced support for our valued clients and a stronger presence in the market”

SpiceXpress, a subsidiary of SpiceJet, has entered into a partnership with Star Air, to manage the belly space capacity for cargo transportation in Star Air’s fleet of nine aircraft. Star Air, operating five Embraer 145 jets and four Embraer 175 jets, will significantly enhance SpiceXpress’s domestic network, incorporating nine new destinations: Belagavi, Bhuj, Kalaburagi, Kishangarh, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Nagpur, and Shivamogga. This collaboration underlines SpiceXpress’s commitment to expanding its reach and strengthening the nation’s air cargo infrastructure, aligning with SpiceJet’s mission to cater to the underserved regions in India. SpiceXpress’s domestic network will increase from 39 to 48 destinations helping the company strengthen its Door-to-Door delivery and postal service. The three-year agreement, extendable by mutual consent, establishes a foundation for seamless cooperation between the two companies. Jai Singh Sadana, Chief Business Officer, SpiceXpress, said, “This partnership with Star Air marks a significant milestone for SpiceXpress as we broaden our domestic cargo network. The extended reach to these nine destinations aligns with our vision of connecting underserved regions, contributing to economic development, and bolstering the logistics landscape in India.” “The collaboration not only grants SpiceXpress access to additional delivery points and increased daily cargo volume but also enhances our last-mile presence. Door-to-door connectivity will now be extended to pin codes that were previously untouched, showcasing the transformative potential of this partnership,” Sadana said. Capt. Simran Singh Tiwana, Chief Executive Officer, Star Air, said, “Star Air is happy to announce this exciting partnership with SpiceXpress. The flexibility gained through this alliance empowers Star Air to unlock the cargo potentials in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across the country. This strategic partnership exemplifies the commitment of both airlines to redefine India’s cargo landscape and …

Çelebi India announced its collaboration with British Airways to provide top-notch ground handling services at Chennai International Airport. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Çelebi as it expands its presence in the country with exceptional services in the aviation industry. British Airways, renowned for its exceptional service and unwavering commitment to safety standards, has chosen Çelebi India as its ground handling service provider in Chennai. This strategic alliance signifies the trust and confidence British Airways places in Çelebi’s expertise from 65 years of providing ground handling services to some of the world’s biggest airlines. Tauseef Khan, CEO, Çelebi Ground Handling – India, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with British Airways as the chosen ground handling service provider at Chennai Airport. This collaboration is a significant milestone, underscoring Çelebi’s commitment to delivering top-tier services and contributing to the growth of India’s aviation industry. As we extend our support to British Airways, we remain dedicated to providing seamless and sustainable ground handling solutions, further solidifying our position as a trusted partner in the aviation landscape.” This collaboration with British Airways is part of Çelebi India’s expansion strategy, adding to its operations at major airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, and Kannur.

Geodis will continue to offer its own-controlled freighter capacity until the end of the year. The freight forwarder’s leased Airbus A330-300P2F, operated by London Stansted-headquartered Titan Airways, is currently performing three rotations per week between the UK and China, carrying e-commerce goods. Titan is operating a round-trip cargo route from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwestern China to London Stansted Airport in the UK three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The aircraft will continue to be operated “at minimum until the end of 2024,” said Eric Martin-Neuville, vice president of freight forwarding, Geodis,” says reports. The aircraft was leased during the height of the pandemic, but the tough market conditions last year resulted in a lot of doubt about how the return of capacity and lower rates would affect those in the industry that had invested in own capacity, especially on long-term contracts.

Public-private partnerships are being encouraged to drive investments in cargo infrastructure, technology, and logistics solutions, says M Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight. “This collaborative approach is pushing for innovation, bringing in expertise, and ensuring that the industry is well-equipped to meet the increasing demand for air cargo services,” he adds. “India’s ambition of achieving 10 million metric tons of cargo throughput by 2030 is not just about quantity; it also underscores a commitment to sustainable practices. Green initiatives, such as the adoption of cleaner fuels, energy-efficient technologies, and waste reduction measures, are integral to the country’s vision. By prioritizing sustainability, India aims to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility in its maritime activities.”

Group Concorde has announced its recent partnership with Air Canada Cargo. The collaboration began on January 1, 2024. Starting the new year on a high note, Group Concorde will assume the pivotal role of the Indian sales representative for one the largest North American carriers with operations from India. Prithviraj Chug, CEO of Group Concorde, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “Air Canada Cargo is renowned for its expansive fleet, vast network, and class-apart service. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, as we look forward to extending our services. This collaboration will not only strengthen our position in the market but also enrich the logistical experience of our valued customers.” Group Concorde, Air Canada Cargo will continue to move freight on their flights from India as well as from Interline Partner network.