Category Archives: Aviation

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Indian exports have lately witnessed a slump because of several compelling factors. A majority of Indian exporters cite high interest rates as a major hurdle. Despite government efforts to address freight concerns,  borrowing costs and collateral requirements remain issues, especially for smaller exporters, affecting their competitiveness. It’s also observed that consumer demand has weakened, private investment has been sluggish for years and reportedly the government spending- an essential driver in recent years has been pulled back. Further, many exporters have diverted to the domestic market as profitability in exports has taken a hit with a sharp rise in international freight (both ship and air). Had it not been for these trade disruptions led by logistical challenges such as higher cost of raw material, lack of shipping space, inflated air/sea freights by the carriers and declining commodity prices by the overseas buyers, merchandise exports would have recorded growth.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “To enhance exports, India must diversify markets, targeting emerging economies and non-traditional regions. Strengthening manufacturing under Make in India and improving quality standards are key. Expanding and renegotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can open new opportunities. Promoting supply chain digitization and reducing logistics costs through infrastructure upgrades will improve efficiency. Incentives for value-added products, support for MSMEs, and global branding initiatives will help India gain a competitive edge in global markets. Future export drivers include electronics, electric vehicles, green energy components, and pharmaceuticals like biologics. IT services, AI-driven technologies, agro-processed products, and sustainable textiles also show strong potential. With global focus on renewable energy, sectors like solar panels and specialty chemicals will gain prominence. Innovation, value addition, and sustainable practices will ensure India’s competitive edge in these areas.”

M Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight said, “We face global challenges like the Red Sea crisis, the Russia-Ukraine War, and trade tensions involving the US and countries like China and Mexico. To address these, India must explore new markets and expand its products and services. India should close the gap between high-value sectors, like electronics, and traditional sectors, like textiles and jewellery, by adjusting tariffs that hinder growth. This will boost the competitiveness of Indian products. Also, simplifying customs, improving business conditions, and encouraging innovation are crucial for increasing exports. The main drivers of merchandise export growth include electronic goods (especially telecom products), drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, iron ore, cotton yarn/fabs/made-ups, handloom products, and ceramic products and glassware. India is also making impressive strides in exporting petroleum products and automotive fuel.”

WebCargo, in collaboration with Qatar Airways Cargo, has launched ‘WebCargo Pay in India,’ complementing WebCargo’s existing air cargo booking solution. With WebCargo Pay, traditional barriers like bank guarantees are removed, making one-stop air cargo pricing, booking and payment seamless and efficient. WebCargo Pay will now ensure that forwarders can access Qatar Airways Cargo’s capacity and competitive rates, helping businesses of all sizes thrive in a rapidly growing market. Simplified payments, No Bank guarantee requirement and zero waiting time are some of the key features which India-based forwarders can access via WebCargo Pay. “Being the first international cargo carrier to offer WebCargo Pay in India represents a significant step in giving freight forwarders the tools they need to compete and grow in a competitive market. This partnership simplifies payment and booking, ensuring that forwarders can instantly access Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network without the traditional hurdles of bank guarantees,” Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, said.

Indian logistics industry has witnessed massive development in the last few years, but there’s need to improve multimodal transport and connectivity. Geopolitical tensions have also impacted Indian supply chains, said Arun Kumar, President, Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) at its fourth quarterly meeting in New Delhi focusing on Geopolitics and Multimodal Transportation. He added, “Under PM’s ambitious initiatives like Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy, remarkable physical and digital infrastructure developments have been done for seamless cargo movement. AMTOI plans to take the industry forward in line with government and industry players plans and by collaborating and knowledge-sharing with each other.” The event began with lamp lighting by dignitaries followed by panel discussions and vote of thanks.

DHL Express has signed MoU with the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to ship India-crafted jewellery via courier mode, leveraging DHL’s time-definite international (TDI) delivery service. As the first international logistics provider to sign an MoU with GJEPC, DHL will support local jewellery and gem makers to broaden their footprint and increase revenue. The GJEPC is an apex body of the gem and jewellery industry under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. “India’s gems and jewellery industry is a vibrant export segment. Our product offering for exporting fine jewellery shipments addresses critical pain points for local exporters through our trusted, seamless, and cost-effective shipping solution. Through this partnership, we are simplifying international shipping and providing jewellery makers with the tools they need to thrive in global markets,” said R. S. Subramanian, SVP South Asia, DHL Express.  The MoU intends to simplify the customs clearance process for jewellery shipments, reducing transit times, paperwork, and costs compared to traditional cargo shipping methods.    

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling, VCJ Foundation says, “Enhancing cargo security through IoT and advanced technologies is essential for improving logistics efficiency. Real-time monitoring and proactive management can reduce theft and damage. India faces challenges like underdeveloped security norms and logistics infrastructure, necessitating modernization and comprehensive laws for optimal cargo security.”

  Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Cargo security is the cornerstone of efficient logistics operations. By safeguarding goods throughout the supply chain, we not only mitigate risks that cause costly delays but build confidence across the supply chain thereby enhancing trust and reliability. Implementing robust security measures streamlines processes, reduces disruptions, and ensures that cargo moves seamlessly, enabling businesses to meet global demands with confidence and efficiency.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo says, “The protection of cargo has been a crucial factor right from its exiting the shipper’s warehouse until it’s handed over to the airlines. The consequences of not sufficiently protecting cargo can be devastating, ranging from financial loss and damaged reputation to long-term, intricate legal disputes. And considering the fact that presently the thieves are highly tech-savvy and constantly developing modern ways and strategies to steal cargo from shippers, it’s essential that the vehicles must be equipped with high quality seals with unique serial numbers, barcodes and GPS for easy tracking followed by strict security protocols and procedures for handling, loading and unloading cargo to minimize the tempering or theft. The custodian of the airport are also expected to install CCTV at the strategic locations apart from keeping strict vigil on the movement and activities by its personnel concerned. The monitoring cell should also be imparted with the related training for proper implementation of security measures.”