Category Archives: Aviation

  Arun Kumar, President, AMTOI said, “In economies dominated by low and middle-income groups, MSMEs play a crucial role in driving growth. With the right support from the state, they can transform into powerful economic forces. Unfortunately, this sector often receives less support, lacking the necessary backing to realise its full potential and contribute to sustainable growth.”

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics said, “Viksit Bharat represents our collective aspiration for a developed India. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), developed nations are characterised by a high Human Development Index (HDI), which reflects factors such as high GDP/GNP, per capita income, access to quality education and a robust healthcare system. Achieving this vision requires inclusive economic development, driven not only by large industries but, more importantly, by the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs play a crucial role in job creation, innovation, and economic resilience. Therefore, government policies and infrastructure development must be designed with a strong focus on supporting and empowering these enterprises, ensuring sustainable and equitable growth for all.”

  C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight said, “MSMEs can drive Viksit Bharat by fostering innovation, generating employment and boosting exports. With digital adoption, financial inclusion, and government support, they can enhance productivity and global competitiveness. Their contribution to manufacturing, services, and rural development will strengthen GDP, ensure balanced regional growth, and create a self-reliant economy, making them the true growth engine of India’s future.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy and will be pivotal in realising Viksit Bharat. By fostering innovation, generating employment and enhancing exports, they drive inclusive growth. Strengthening MSMEs through digitalisation, financial support and global market access will accelerate industrial expansion, boost GDP and position India as a global manufacturing and services hub.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “We emphasise proactive risk assessment, scenario planning, and diversification of supply routes to ensure continuity. Strategic partnerships, robust compliance frameworks, and leveraging technology for real-time monitoring enhance adaptability to disruptions. By integrating contingency planning and fostering resilience, we safeguard the seamless flow of goods, ensuring our clients’ supply chains remain agile and competitive in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. Major supply chain disruptors include geopolitical tensions, trade wars, natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks, and fluctuating trade policies. Technological advancements like AI, IoT, and blockchain play a transformative role in countering these disruptions. Real-time tracking ensures visibility, predictive analytics enables proactive decision-making, and blockchain enhances transparency and security. Automation and digital twins optimize operations and simulate scenarios to mitigate risks. These innovations empower businesses to build resilient, agile supply chains capable of navigating uncertainties effectively.”

Kunal Maheshwari, Chief Growth Officer, Softlink Global said, “Risk management strategies are more critical now as they enable businesses to minimise disruption and maintain resilience in the face of geopolitical risks. These strategies ensure companies can quickly pivot by identifying alternative suppliers, adjusting routes, or leveraging free trade agreements to avoid bottlenecks. In practice, it’s about combining proactive planning with real-time decision-making. Tools like Logi-Sys provide a ‘captain’s view’ of operations, empowering businesses with real-time visibility and data-driven insights to anticipate risks and take swift operational action in the face of external challenges. Port congestion, labour strikes, and shifting regulations are major disruptors, often causing delays, inflated costs, and operational bottlenecks. Effective management goes beyond real-time monitoring — it includes predictive planning, scenario simulations, and diversifying suppliers to build flexibility. Businesses must also invest in automated workflows to reduce manual errors and streamline decision-making during disruptions. Tools like Logi-Sys integrate much of these capabilities, providing end-to-end visibility and enabling companies to always stay agile and operational.”  

Arun Chandra, Vice President – Aviation Business, BIAL said, “Risk management strategies are vital in mitigating the impact of geopolitical risks on global supply chains. The methods include diversification of suppliers, nearshoring, and leveraging multi-modal logistics to reduce dependency on high-risk regions. Additionally, scenario planning and predictive analytics help organisations anticipate disruptions and respond swiftly. A robust risk management framework ensures that the supply chain is resilient, minimizes delays, and protects profitability in volatile geopolitical climates. At BLR Airport, our initiatives focus on robust partnerships and leveraging advanced technologies, ensuring adaptability and operational stability amidst geopolitical uncertainties. Major supply chain disruptors include: Natural disasters Geopolitical tensions Labor shortages Cyberattacks Demand-supply mismatches”  

Ronak Shah, Executive Director –V-Trans (India) & CEO of V-Logis said, “Risk management strategies play a critical role in addressing geopolitical risks that threaten global supply chains. Trade restrictions, political instability, and regulatory shifts can significantly disrupt operations. We prioritise comprehensive risk assessment, scenario planning, and diversification of sourcing to build supply chain resilience. By leveraging predictive analytics and fostering close collaboration with stakeholders, we proactively navigate challenges to ensure operational continuity. A strong risk management framework transforms uncertainties into opportunities, helping us maintain seamless service and customer satisfaction. Major disruptors include geopolitical tensions, fluctuating fuel prices, and environmental regulations. Technological advancements are key to mitigating these challenges.”

  Addverb introduced three cutting edge products at the ongoing LogiMAT India in Mumbai to improve warehousing efficiency. It includes India’s first-ever largest assistive dog robot – Trakr 2.0, a high-order carousel automation system – HOCA, and an intuitive user interface – Brisk, all designed to revolutionise warehouse operations with increased efficiency, safety, and adaptability across various industries through innovative features. Commenting on the launch, Sangeet Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Addverb, said, “ The debut of Trakr 2.0, HOCA, and Brisk at LogiMAT India 2025 represents a significant milestone in our journey of innovation. After the overwhelming response to Trakr last year, we were inspired to develop Trakr 2.0—an even more powerful version with enhanced vision and gesture-based controls. Alongside this, our two new innovative solutions HOCA and Brisk are engineered to address the evolving needs of modern warehousing, offering unparalleled efficiency, precision, and adaptability. At Addverb, we are proud to drive innovation that not only sets new standards of performance but also redefines the concept of space and workplace efficiency.” • Trakr 2.0, an advanced quadruped robot, is a versatile robot assistant capable of carrying payloads of up to 20 kg. With features such as battery endurance of 90 minutes, stereo cameras for enhanced vision, and gesture-based commands, the quadruped robot offers a sophisticated yet user-friendly solution for material handling tasks. • HOCA, the state-of-the-art High-Speed Order Consolidation and Automation System, provides advanced batch picking capabilities, maximising space utilization and operational flexibility. The HOCA system includes a versatile carousel with dimensions ranging from 5,900 mm to 46,700 mm, multiple carrier size options, and impressive payload capacities of up to 900 kg. Its modular design allows it to be easily integrated into a …

Boeing has reportedly secured an order for two 777 production freighters in January. The aircraft manufacturer’s Airplane Gross Orders report for January 2025 shows ’unidentified customer(s)’ purchased two 777Fs last month.  Boeing recorded a total of 35 777F orders last year. 2024’s tally of 35 777F orders is a turnaround from 2023 when 777F orders amounted to 10. In fact, last year orders levelled up with the pandemic boom years for air cargo. There were 35 777F orders in 2022, while in 2021 there were 42. In 2020 there were 13 and in 2019 there were 17. Data shows that 13 777Fs were delivered last year. The 777F is perceived as a solid choice for operators in the face of the environmental constraints facing older freighters, as well as the increasingly limited choices available, plus delays to market of the newbuild Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-8 freighters.