Category Archives: Aviation

Boeing has delivered a total of 16 777 freighters so far this year, including five in May, said reports. The company’s delivery data for May showed that Atlas Air Worldwide, China Airlines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines and FedEx each ordered one 777F. Looking at the year-to-date data, one 777F was delivered in January, two in February, four in March, four in April, and five in May. Halfway through 2025 deliveries already exceeded the 13 777Fs that were delivered last year in total. A total of 13 777Fs have been ordered so far this year – eight by FedEx and five by unidentified customer(s). Two 777Fs were ordered in January and 11 in March. Boeing finished 2024 with orders of 35 777Fs in 2024. The company’s data also shows that five 767-300Fs have been delivered this year so far – three to FedEx and two to UPS. 10 767-300Fs were delivered in 2024 and 18 of the type were delivered in 2023, as well as 18 in 2022.

In a major step towards strengthening India’s logistics ecosystem, the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has inaugurated the country’s first Private Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal developed on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) route — New Sanjali Terminal. The terminal was inaugurated by Praveen Kumar, Managing Director, DFCCIL, who termed it a significant achievement in the corporation’s logistics expansion strategy. He emphasised that this initiative is a concrete move towards modal shift, encouraging modal shift from road to rail, thereby enabling a more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective logistics network. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Hon’ble former Member of Parliament Shri Natu Singh Thakur, along with key officials from DFCCIL, including Shri Shobhit Bhatnagar, Director (OP&BD); Shri S.P. Verma, GGM (OP&BD); Shri Deepak Gupta, CGM (Vadodara Unit); Shri Praveen Kumar Tiwari, AGM(OP&BD), Ahmedabad; Shri J.K. Agarwal, AGM(Business Development); Shri Rajesh Mishra, Deputy Chief Project Manager; Shri C.L. Chaudhary, Deputy Project Manager (OP&BD); Shri Arvind Nagar, Deputy General Manager (OP&BD), Mumbai; Shri Nitin Mohindru, Manager (OP&PR); and other DFCCIL officials. Representing the Sawariya Shakti Group were Shri Harish Agarwal; Shri Nikunj Agarwal; Shri Jai Tekwani; and Shri Rishabh Tekwani.

Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO and MD, Aviapro Logistic shares, “The China+1 strategy, driven by global firms seeking to diversify supply chains beyond China, is enhancing India’s role in global manufacturing. Multinational companies are investing in India due to its large labor force, improving infrastructure and government incentives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Sectors such as electronics, textiles and pharmaceuticals are gaining traction. Apple, for instance, has ramped up iPhone production in India. However, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles and logistical inefficiencies. Despite these, India is emerging as a viable alternative in global supply chains, gradually reducing reliance on China while boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” initiative to position the country as a global manufacturing hub. In fact we should aim to be India+1 strategy.”  

IAG Cargo has signed up to use CHAMP Cargosystem’s CHAMP A2Z Scan to convert paper air waybills into a digital format. The A2Z system uses AI and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to extract data from paper documents for consolidation with all downstream processes and systems. The partnership follows a recent successful trial. IAG Cargo customers can access CHAMP A2Z Scan capabilities through the IAG Cargo portal. CHAMP claimed the tool delivers significant time savings by streamlining processes and also prevents delays. The system is run through CHAMP’s Cargospot-neo cargo management platform and is designed for use by airlines and ground handling agents.

Magnum Cargo announced that it has successfully handled heavy-weight air charter flight shipment from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai (BOM) to Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG). The shipment weighed 1,02,000 kgs. “Although this is not the first time, Magnum Cargo has showcased a logistics project of such big level, we intend to take pride in our seamless and smooth operations,” an official from Magnum Cargo said in an official Linkedin Post.

According to Xeneta’s latest updates, “Air cargo volumes could drop as consumers scale back on non-essential goods, while shippers are favouring shorter-term contracts in a climate of uncertainty. Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s Chief Airfreight Officer, said consumers are looking to save money amid concerns about international trade. Global air cargo volumes were flat in June, up just 1 per cent year on year, while available capacity, measured over the same period, increased 2 per cent. Global air cargo spot rates declined for a second consecutive month in June, down by 4 per cent year-on-year as supply of capacity overtook demand for the first time in 19 months. “The air cargo market is losing altitude amidst so much uncertainty,” van de Wouw said. “For consumers who were already under severe financial pressure from the rise in the everyday cost-of-living, the added cost of tariffs means they are more likely to think twice about buying many of the types of goods which are exported and imported by air.” Despite the disruption from changes to tariffs and e-commerce (de minimis) in the first half of the year, air cargo demand still grew by 3 per cent in that period compared to the same period a year earlier.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) said, “Growth in both domestic and international air cargo is being propelled by three major sectors, electronics, pharmaceuticals and perishables. In the international segment, electronics have shown strong momentum. India’s electronic goods exports grew nearly 40 per cent year-on-year. Hyderabad Air Cargo recorded a 53 per cent surge in electronics shipments, with this segment contributing to 8 per cent of Hyderabad Airport’s total cargo tonnage — highlighting the city’s rising importance in global electronics manufacturing and distribution. In pharmaceuticals, while the national export growth remained moderate at 2.37 per cent, Hyderabad Air Cargo posted a robust 13 per cent year-on-year increase. Pharma now accounts for 68 per cent of Hyderabad Airport’s tonnage within this category, reaffirming the airport’s position as a key pharma export hub. Perishables, such as fruits and vegetables, are also gaining significant traction. National exports of perishables rose by 30.72 per cent, whereas Hyderabad Air Cargo experienced a striking 58 per cent growth in this segment, which now makes up 10 per cent of the airport’s total cargo tonnage — a reflection of growing global demand for Indian fresh produce.”

Global Logistics Network (GLN) has launched GLN Pay, an innovative international payment solution built specifically for freight and logistics professionals. Developed in strategic partnership with CargoAi, GLN Pay is powered by CargoWALLET technology and enables secure, real-time payments across 150+ countries and 47 currencies. With GLN CargoWALLET, GLN members can send or receive payments from other network members—or any freight partner—regardless of whether the recipient has a GLN CargoWALLET account. This flexibility is designed to eliminate traditional payment barriers and enhance collaboration across the global supply chain. GLN CargoWALLET was created to address common financial and operational pain points in freight forwarding, consolidation, air and ocean cargo handling, and GSSA services. It delivers a suite of powerful features, including: · Instant Payment Processing – Real-time settlements worldwide · Guest Payment Options – Send payments and receive payments even from partners not on GLN CargoWALLET · Multi-Currency Support – Transact in 47 currencies across over 150 countries · Enterprise-Grade Security – End-to-end encryption with full traceability · Operational Efficiency – Simplified reconciliation and better cash flow management “GLN CargoWALLET represents a major step forward for our network,” said Ernst van der Heijden, President of Global Logistics Network. “By integrating a smart, seamless, and secure payment solution into our ecosystem, we’re enabling members to operate with greater efficiency, speed, and trust.”

Jalpa H Vithalani, Director, Global Aviation Services said, “India holds immense potential to become a global transshipment hub like Dubai or Singapore, owing to its strategic coastline and growing cargo volumes. To achieve this, India must focus on policy reforms enabling ease of doing business, seamless multimodal connectivity, and robust port infrastructure. Initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and Sagarmala are steps in the right direction. Developing world-class transshipment zones, reducing dwell times, and offering competitive tariff structures will be key. Private sector participation and digital integration across logistics chains can further position India as a global trade and logistics powerhouse.”

Vandana Singh, Chairperson, Aviation Cargo, FAII said, “India has the potential to emerge as a global transshipment hub like Singapore or Dubai. Nearly 90 per cent of India’s transshipped cargo—about 4.2 million TEUs—is currently routed through foreign ports, costing us over $200 million annually. To reverse this, we need deep-water port development, digitised customs, seamless multimodal logistics and robust public-private collaboration. The launch of Vizhinjam Port and initiatives under PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy signal the right intent. With focused execution and global alliances, India can strategically position itself as a cost-effective, self-reliant hub in global maritime trade.”