Category Archives: Aviation

Malaysia Airports

Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo will share their networks and fleet capacity to increase cargo services to customers as part of a new partnership. MASkargo customers will have access to the global Qatar Airways Cargo network, while Qatar Airways Cargo customers will have further access to the growing Asia Pacific market, including new destinations and additional capacity in existing stations. The partnership is the result of a move by Qatar Airways Group and Malaysia Aviation Group to further their relationship as Oneworld alliance partners with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo – the cargo airline and subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group.

Samir J Shah, Partner, JBS Group of Companies says, “India is a country that has grown on the aspirations and dreams of its citizens. This approach is needed much more now than ever. There are many issues to be tackled – certification for employees; lopsided or over booked capacities; erratic charging by Custodians; the current political situations in many countries etc.” He adds, “The issues are many in number and solutions not easy. The intention of the bureaucracy and the service providers is to find a quick solution amidst an unclear road map. We also have a new minister for Civil Aviation and it is hoped he would bring a fresh new perspective to all the current issues. Air Cargo is the back bone of so many industries for both inbound and out bound. A slower execution; uncertified personnel, under capacity all add to the existing woes. We must collectively put efforts without being selfish since our survival is based on the survival of the industry.”

Jitan Ram Manjhi is the new Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Former Chief Minister of Bihar is the new MSME Minister under the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Dalit face of NDA, Manjhi, 79, and the leader of athe Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was Bihar CM between 2014 and 2015 for a short period of 10 months.

Sarbananda Sonowal, a BJP veteran from Assam, took the oath as a Union Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in the Modi government for the third time. The 61-year-old’s clean image, oratorial skills and popularity among the masses in Assam ensured that he got another stint at the Centre for the third time.  Sonowal was the minister of state (independent charge) of youth affairs and sports in the first Modi government from 2014 to 2016, when he resigned to head the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition in Assam.

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has assumed the position of the Civil Aviation Minister, replacing Jyotiraditya Scindia. Naidu hails from Andhra Pradesh, at 36 years of age, Naidu represents the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, he is the youngest-ever Minister in Modi.

Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) handled an impressive one million tonnes of air cargo in fiscal year 2023-2024, achieving a milestone. The achievement underscores AAHL’s robust operational capabilities and strategic growth in the aviation industry. Demonstrating solid growth, AAHL facilitated a remarkable 10,13,115 metric tonnes of cargo in FY 2023-24, capturing an impressive 30.1% market share. This represents a significant 7% y-o-y increase compared to the previous fiscal, when the total cargo tonnage was 9,44,912 metric tonnes. In FY 2023-2024, AAHL’s cargo operations were predominantly international – 65% of the cargo managed was international. This showcases AAHL’s efficiency in managing worldwide operations while maintaining a robust domestic presence. The international cargo tonnage amounted to 6,62,258 metric tonnes, recording a notable 9% y-o-y growth compared to the previous fiscal’s 6,06,348 metric tonnes. The cargo operations were driven by commodities, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, perishables, electricals/electronics, and engineering goods. They were efficiently handled across the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai), the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad), the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Lucknow), the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Mangaluru International Airport, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati) and the Jaipur International Airport. The major international destinations for cargo included Germany, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Reflecting on the achievement, Mr. Arun Bansal, CEO, AAHL, said, “At Adani Airport Holdings Limited, we have been consistently setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency. The cargo terminals have achieved a remarkable milestone, handling over 1 million tonnes this fiscal year. This achievement solidifies our position as key facilitators in both international and domestic airfreight operations in India.” The following highlights from fiscal year showcase 2023-2024 AAHL’s …

The global air cargo market is poised for double-digit growth in volumes in 2024, following a notable 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in demand in May, according to the latest data analysis by Xeneta. This promising outlook contrasts with the conservative, low single-digit growth forecasts made at the end of last year, as the market has experienced six consecutive months of extraordinary regional demand for cargo capacity, it adds In May, the global air cargo spot rate saw its second consecutive monthly growth, rising by 9 per cent YoY to $2.58 per kg, and increasing by 5 per cent month-on-month. The most significant YoY rate increase was observed in the Middle East & Central Asia to Europe corridor, where the spot rate surged by 110 per cent to $3.21 per kg due to ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea. Spot rates from Southeast Asia and China to North America also saw significant rises, up by 65 per cent and 43 per cent to $4.64 per kg and $4.88 per kg respectively. The China-Europe spot rate recorded a 34 per cent YoY increase to $4.14 per kg, as per Xeneta. “In terms of growth data, analysts sometimes say ‘once is an incident, twice is a coincidence, and three-times is a pattern’. In the world of air cargo, there’s an undeniable pattern emerging. We can’t use the word ‘surprising’ anymore. When we take a mid-term view of the market, with these kinds of numbers, we might be on track for double-digit growth for the year. It is now a possible scenario,” says Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, Niall van de Wouw.

Rotate has been selected by Air Canada Cargo to implement the Sales Cockpit, to enhance carrier’s global digitalization efforts. The Sales Cockpit is web-based software that continually scans the airline’s data to automatically identify specific opportunities with customers. Integrating this with existing systems allows Air Canada Cargo to automatically open sales opportunities in its CRM, and better monitor agreements to track performance against customer expectations. This integration ensures sales teams have timely and relevant information to improve discussions and serve customers more effectively. Matthieu Casey, Managing Director – Commercial at Air Canada Cargo, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “This partnership with Rotate and the roll-out of the Sales Cockpit will enable our Sales teams to provide more personalized and timely service to our customers while maintaining a consistent approach globally. This consistent approach allows us to work collaboratively and proactively as our customers’ needs change.” The implementation of the Sales Cockpit is part of Air Canada Cargo’s broader digitalization strategy, aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience. By automating the identification and management of sales opportunities, the Sales Cockpit helps ensure that no opportunity is missed, and that customer interactions are more informed and responsive. Ryan Keyrouse, CEO at Rotate, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to support Air Canada Cargo in its digitalization journey. Our collaboration has enhanced the Sales Cockpit, making it a more effective tool for their sales teams. The feedback from Air Canada Cargo has been important in refining the solution to better meet the needs of the industry.”

To explore logistics related business opportunities in Gujarat and to focus on leveraging its infrastructure and strategic location to boost India’s logistics and maritime capabilities, The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) organized a meet with Gujarat Maritime Cluster (GMC). A significant highlight of the visit was FFFAI’s official induction as a member of the Gujarat Maritime Cluster. The GMC, the first commercial maritime cluster of its kind in India, offers a synergetic collaboration, providing a one-stop solution for the maritime fraternity. This cluster brings together maritime and shipping industry players, service providers, and relevant government regulatory agencies within the GIFT City ecosystem. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman, FFFAI highlighted that FFFAI’s membership in the GMC is set to strengthen collaborative efforts in the maritime and logistics sectors, enhancing trade efficiency and fostering industry growth. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities this partnership will create and emphasized the strategic importance of aligning with leading financial and maritime institutions. “The membership in GMC marks a significant milestone for FFFAI, positioning it at the forefront of India’s maritime innovation and operational excellence. This collaboration is expected to facilitate seamless trade operations and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian freight forwarders,” stated Mulani. Mulani also asserted that FFFAI’s proactive engagement and strategic partnerships with GMC underscore its commitment to advancing India’s logistics industry and contributing to sustainable economic growth. During the discussions at GIFT City, the focus was on leveraging its state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic location to boost India’s logistics and maritime capabilities. Interactions with Price Waterhouse and Axis Bank provided valuable insights into the financial frameworks and support systems crucial for expanding FFFAI’s initiatives.