Category Archives: Aviation

Satish Lakkaraju, CEO, NexGen Logistics, Garudavega says, “The Indian air cargo industry is going through a huge number of changes and rapid technological evolvements and innovations. Given the global disruptions that are happening currently, what customers are looking at is specifically transparency, visibility, agility, and up to date in terms of how they can plan their shipments. I think in the coming years, India would emerge as one of the leading hubs, more so with the disruptions happening in the neighboring parts of our countries. India’s role, not only in terms of political stability, but also cargo stability, are vital and critical because essential commodities, transportation to the other parts of the world, are very key for the basic survival. I think it’s time for India to step in. Given that we have many Indian carriers expanding rapidly and creating belly capacity to far -off destinations, the role of India is critical and important at all stages.”

Astral Aviation Limited announced the launch of its inaugural flight from the People’s Republic of China. This flight departing from Guangzhou to Nairobi with an onward connection to Maputo, the capital of the Republic of Mozambique, marks a significant milestone in the airline’s expansion into the Asian market. The new direct flight between China and the African continent reflects Astral Aviation’s commitment to strengthening trade and logistics links between Asia and Africa. As a pivotal hub in southern China, Guangzhou serves as a vital gateway for Chinese goods, ranging from electronics to e-commerce. Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route, “We are thrilled to commence our operations in China with this new service from Guangzhou. This route enhances connectivity between Asia and Africa and supports the increasing demand for reliable cargo transportation, facilitating the flow of essential goods and contributing to economic growth in both regions. We are grateful to our launch customer, Air Charter Service Hong Kong, The @Guangdong Airport Authority Co. Ltd and our China GSA, IGS Air. The Guangzhou service is strategically designed to meet the rising needs of importers and exporters by providing a reliable and efficient air cargo solution. Astral Aviation’s state-of-the-art Boeing 767 Freighter aircraft ensures the safe and timely delivery of various goods, including perishable items, industrial products, and high-tech equipment. This new route is part of Astral Aviation’s broader expansion strategy, which aims to enhance its global reach and offer unparalleled service to its clients. The company plans to introduce additional routes shortly, further bridging the gap between key markets across Asia and Africa.”

Vandana Singh, Director, Global Key Account Management (Asia Pacific) Saudia Cargo was honoured as ‘Cargo Woman of the Year’ at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards 2024 in Mumbai. The award was presented by the Chief Guest, Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and P K Raut, Deputy Director General- Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, who was the Guest of Honour at the event. She said, “I have been following publications of DDP Group publications actively and I’m very proud to be associated with them. Congratulations to the DDP Group for organizing the fantabulous event. I do see the air cargo industry growing by leaps and bounds. We have promised to grow to 10 .3 million cargo tons within the next five years, but I see that happening in the next three years.”

Exciting news for the air cargo industry experts. Registrations are now open for the upcoming The Air Cargo Agents Association of India’s (ACAAI) 48th Annual Convention set to be held in Baku from 5 December, 2024 till 8 December, 2024 with the theme ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics.’ Register Now!

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is all set to organise the 10th edition of Global Aviation and Air Cargo Summit on 4 September, 2024 focusing on shaping up a new futuristic aviation ecosystem. The event will focus on many topics including India becoming transshipment hub, innovation and tech integration, regulatory compliances and customs, freight forwarding and capacity building, MRO, future ready airports etc.  The event is expected to have air cargo and aviation experts from across the country.

  Om Logistics has announced the acquisition of Inland Container Depot (ICD) Bawal in Haryana for Rs110 crore. This significant investment marks a major milestone in Om Logistics’ journey, further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry. Strategically located on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and within the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) industrial estate, ICD Bawal is a state-of-the-art multimodal logistic hub built on 20 acres of land. The facility features 2 automated rail lines, a 30,000 sq. ft. custom bonded warehouse space and a capacity to handle 5,000 containers of EXIM cargo per month. ICD Bawal boasts exceptional connectivity to major ports, including Mundra, Pipavav and JNPT, ensuring seamless cargo movement. Additionally, its proximity to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and other airports enables efficient air cargo handling. The depot is also strategically located near NH48 and NH71, providing easy access to northern and western India via road connectivity. Further, ICD Bawal has direct connectivity to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) and Indian Railways, facilitating swift rail cargo movement. This acquisition enables Om Logistics to expand its PAN India operations, reduce average transit times and optimise supply chain management. “This milestone demonstrates our commitment to revolutionizing supply chain management and setting new benchmarks in the logistics industry,” said Raghav Singhal, Executive Director of Om Logistics. ICD Bawal features advanced technology, including automated container movement systems, real-time GPS tracking and app-based monitoring. The depot also offers customized warehousing solutions with value-added services, ensuring operational excellence and accuracy. With its strategic location and multimodal connectivity, ICD Bawal is poised to become a key hub for industrial and economic growth in the region, further solidifying Om Logistics’ position as a leader in …

        Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company says, “Customs will not be successful in digitisation until they get rid of annexures, stamping. and signing. All documents are still with hard copies at examination time, required for stamping. The process of paper needs to be eliminated by Re engineering, the processes. Finally, a clear message to the trade that no copies are required to be kept even at the stage of filing. This will be digitalisation and the true sense. It’s almost more than two decades. We are talking of the same thing, but it’s just not happening. Hundreds of representations by all logistics organisations have been made, but still a lot of paper is in the system. Implication will be the key to digitalisation. No hardcopies, no stamping, no signature, no hardcopy filings. Ultimately, this will be going digital in the true sense.”  

Sushant Nigam, Executive Director, ACAAI says, “Transition from the traditional to the digitised approach is a welcome move which needs to be discussed with all stakeholders for perfect integration. Warehousing processes, like discrepancy recording and amendment processes (arising out of mostly inadvertent excess / short landing of packages, incorrect or peeled-off labels, receiving / delivering EXIM cargo etc.), require technological solutions to cut down time & efforts consumed by involvement of multiple stakeholders and paperwork.”

CK Govil, President, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India says. “The Indian government’s plan to automate customs processes by 2026 is a forward-thinking move that will enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and minimise human error. This digital transformation is expected to streamline trade, boost economic growth, and improve transparency, positioning India as a more competitive global trading hub.”