Category Archives: Aviation

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.”

Mohit Kapoor Chair – Projects and Events Committee, Warehousing Association of India (WAI) said, “In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of warehousing, the workforce stands as a crucial pillar that determines the success of operational endeavors. The individuals working in warehouses play a significant role in ensuring that goods are efficiently stored, picked, and shipped to customers. However, this vital element often faces challenges such as skill gaps, reluctance to embrace change, and adherence to outdated practices. For instance, employees may struggle with the implementation of new inventory management systems or may resist adopting automation technologies due to fear of job displacement. Moreover, prevalent myths within the industry, like the fear of AI replacing human jobs or the misconception that upskilling is only for managers, further complicate the landscape. It is essential to debunk these myths and highlight the opportunities that advanced technologies and continuous learning can bring to all levels of warehouse staff. By providing training programs that cater to the specific needs of each employee, companies can empower their workforce to thrive in the digital age. Despite these hurdles, a groundbreaking solution has emerged in the form of a hybrid approach that blends AI-powered mobile applications with onsite training sessions. This innovative strategy is reshaping the landscape of warehousing operations, promising significant enhancements in efficiency and productivity. The integration of AI tools into daily warehouse tasks can streamline processes, reduce errors, and optimize workflow management. The Hybrid Solution tackles various industry challenges head-on, particularly the pressing need to bridge skill gaps across all levels of expertise. By utilizing AI tools and tailored learning modules, employees at every level are empowered to enhance their skills and adapt to the …