Category Archives: Aviation

Amit Maheshwari, Founder & CEO, Softlink Global, says, “National Logistics Day serves as a reminder of the logistics industry’s role in India’s economic fabric – it’s without doubt the backbone of trade.  As global supply chains evolve, we’re witnessing a paradigm shift in technology’s importance, which, earlier optional, now acts as the central nervous system controlling overall development – from traditional operations to data-driven, agile systems that respond in real-time to market dynamics, we have come a long way. The scope of this technological transformation goes beyond mere digitization; it’s about creating intelligent, sustainable, and resilient supply networks. Softlink Global being a technology provider to businesses worldwide, we consider it our job to consistently harness this growth and deliver solutions to our customers. As we keep developing technology, we must not forget that people remain our greatest asset. Industry leaders must focus on upskilling the workforce and creating a tech+people ecosystem that’s resilient and adaptive to volatile situations. By doing so, we will drive India’s economic engine and elevate our competitiveness on the global stage.”  

Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic shares, “National Logistics Day is a significant occasion to recognize the crucial role that logistics industry plays in our economy. It highlights the importance of efficient supply chains and the ongoing advancements in technology that drive this sector forward. As a technology solution provider, we see firsthand the transformative impact of digital innovation on logistics. From real-time tracking to AI-driven optimization, these advancements are enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction. Moreover, the shift towards paperless processes and digitalization is streamlining operations and reducing environmental impact. Celebrating this day underscores the continuous progress and the pivotal contributions of logistics professionals in keeping the world connected and moving. As we look to the future, the integration of technologies like blockchain and IoT will further revolutionize the industry, paving the way for smarter and more resilient logistics networks.”

Vineet Malhotra, Co-founder & Director, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “National Logistics Day celebrates the backbone of global trade, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping economies. This day underscores the transformative impact of logistics, fostering efficiency and connectivity across industries. At Kale Logistics, we are proud to contribute to this dynamic field with our cutting-edge IT solutions. Our advanced tools empower stakeholders with seamless operations, ranging from comprehensive supply chain management to real-time tracking capabilities. These offerings are designed to enhance transparency and efficiency, perfectly aligning with the spirit of National Logistics Day by elevating industry standards. We celebrate the progress and future potential of the Indian logistics sector, and we are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in its ongoing transformation.”

  Nari Katgara, Director, Jeena Global express his regards on Logistics Day and says, “As we celebrate Logistics Day, we reflect on the incredible journey of the logistics industry, which has seen remarkable evolution. Logistics is the backbone of our daily lives, a beautifully designed and well-knit supply chain that ensures everything runs smoothly. From fuelling the economy to delivering your daily cup of coffee, logistics is at the core of it all. Global trade has long been a cornerstone of economic growth, and the recent focus on enhancing logistics within our country has provided the industry with a much-needed boost. Enhanced technology, improved infrastructure, and significant investments from both government and private sectors are driving this transformation. As we talk about the logistics day let us also recognise the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, digitalization, and sustainable practices to further elevate India’s logistics sector. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to every individual who plays a crucial role in making each process successful. The future is bright, and with the government’s upcoming announcements, the Indian logistics sector has much to look forward to.”

C K Govil, President, ACAAI says, “National Logistics Day celebrates the importance of the logistics sector in the economy and recognises the critical role logistics professionals play in ensuring the smooth flow of goods and services. National Logistics Day is a significant occasion that underscores the indispensable role of logistics in the global economy. It promotes recognition, education, and innovation within the sector, while fostering collaboration and advocacy efforts. As the logistics industry continues to evolve, the observance of this day will remain crucial in highlighting its progress and addressing its ongoing challenges.”

Uday Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer, Allcargo Gati Limited on the occasion of National MSMEs day shares, “The logistics sector is currently undergoing significant reforms to tackle infrastructure and technology challenges. The logistics and supply chain industry serves as a critical lifeline for the MSME sector, enabling these businesses to deliver their products efficiently to the market. Given the constraints in capital and resources that MSMEs often face, they rely significantly on the seamless operations of their third-party logistics providers to enhance their market competitiveness and profitability. Our aim is to cultivate an ecosystem where MSMEs can thrive, supported by robust logistics infrastructure and sustainable practices. Our commitment extends beyond providing logistical solutions; we actively engage in initiatives that enhance the operational efficiency and competitiveness of MSMEs. Through various programs, including capacity-building workshops and digital transformation initiatives, we support the growth and sustainability of MSMEs. Our express distribution business, under Allcargo Gati Limited, offers last-mile delivery services tailored to the specific needs of MSMEs, ensuring their products reach all corners of the country. By connecting SME clusters with efficient logistics solutions, we help streamline their operations and unlock new market opportunities.” Furthermore, Allcargo Gati Limited is dedicated to green and sustainable logistics practices. We leverage cutting-edge technology to optimize supply chain efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and promote eco-friendly transportation solutions. Our sustainable initiatives ensure that SMEs not only benefit from efficient logistics but also contribute to a greener environment. By fostering a collaborative approach, we can create a resilient and future-ready logistics network that empowers India’s MSMEs to achieve lasting success.”

  Honda’s divisions of Motorcycle and Power Products Operations have strategically selected BuyCo and  FourKites to streamline their container shipping operations. With a focus on boosting efficiency and enhancing visibility, Honda’s collaboration with these industry-leading technology providers marks a significant step toward advancing its supply chain. Leveraging BuyCo’s extensive ocean carrier network, Honda can now easily access shipping schedules from its carriers and select the optimal option based on criteria, such as CO2 emissions, cost, ETA and allocations. Booking is then sent directly from the platform, enabling Honda to save working time for bookings. Moreover, BuyCo empowers Honda with strong key performance indicators to improve processes, optimize inventory and reduce costs. By closely monitoring CO2 emissions, Honda is able to reduce its carbon footprint, while detention and demurrage tracking and alerts allow them to minimize costs.  In tandem, FourKites plays an instrumental role in providing Honda with an unparalleled visibility and container tracking solution. With direct access to major ocean carriers, real-time AIS data, terminal insights and dray carriers’ integration, Honda gains reliable visibility over both land and ocean transportation, allowing the company to closely monitor its containers, and proactively avoid or react faster to exceptions.  “The importance of international shipment visibility continues to increase across our customer base, especially with ongoing disruptions such as port strikes, global conflict and climate-related changes,” said Mathew Elenjickal, founder and CEO of FourKites. “Our partnership with BuyCo helps customers improve the management of ocean shipping and react quickly to drive agility and adapt to such disruptions. We are honored to have been selected by Honda to achieve its digitization objectives.”   Moreover, FourKites is working closely with its exclusive partner in Japan, Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., …

According to a latest analysis from WorldACD Market Data, “The growth of ‘general cargo’ air freight tonnages is outpacing that of ‘special cargo’ products so far in 2024. The demand from air cargo shipments requiring special handling and shipping, has broadly outperformed general cargo in recent years, reveals data. Analysis of the first five months of 2024 by WorldACD, based on the more than 2 million monthly transactions recorded via its database, indicates that total worldwide chargeable weight from January to May 2024 was up +12% compared with the equivalent period last year, with general cargo demand up by +13%, year on year (YoY), and special cargo growth trailing at +10%. “This contrasts with findings late last year by WorldACD that in the first eight months of 2023, general cargo tonnages fell by -12%, YoY, whereas tonnages of special cargo products as a whole grew by +3%, on a worldwide basis, at a time when the market as a whole was down by -7%, YoY,” states WorldACD. According to the analysis, “one factor for this is the strong growth since the start of last autumn in cross-border e-commerce traffic, which often flies in bulk as general cargo rather than within a special product category, as well as conversion of sea freight to air cargo and sea-air resulting from disruptions since last November to container shipping due to the attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. These two factors have contributed to significant YoY rises in chargeable weight in the five months to May 2024 (year-to-date May, or YtD May) from Asia Pacific (+20%) and Middle East & South Asia (MESA, +22%).  

“With the government’s Make in India program, & PLI schemes, there has been a huge push to make sure that there is a sizable increase in the production capacity out of India. We are trying to make India one of the factories of the world and for that, we need to create a larger logistics infra and air cargo must be part of it,” says Yashpal Sharma, President, ACFI and Managing Director, Skyways Group, at a curtain raiser event organised ahead of ACFI’s annual conclave on July 4 in New Delhi. He adds, “Air cargo ecosystem also needs to spread across the country. Under the Udaan scheme, government has rolled out various regional airports.  Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of airports that are functioning in the country. And as these airports grow, it is important that each one of these airports are also looked at from an individual perspective. And their entire ecosystem is also built, which is in line with what the customer needs. So ACFI has been opening these regional chapters to address absolute local micro-level pain points and also share practices with each other, so that we are able to bring them to the standards that the customer needs from around the world.”

Focusing on the current disruptions in the air cargo market, and how BIAL has responded to it by expanding its cargo capacity to meet demand, Satyaki Raghunath, COO, Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) shares, ”In April 2024, as per IATA, the global airline industry recorded 21.7 billion Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (CTKs) globally, which represents an 11.1% increase year-on-year (YoY). The industry counted 85.3 billion CTKs year-to-date (YTD) in April, indicating a 12.7% increase compared to 2023. The industry experienced a 7.1% annual increase in Available Cargo Tonne-Kilometers (ACTKs) in April 2024. Global international air cargo capacity also saw a significant increase of +10.3% in the month of Jan 2024. In 2023, the air cargo industry faced significant challenges with collapsing market demand and rates leading to revenue declines, forcing many all-cargo carriers to scale back operations. Supply chain disruptions and capacity constraints impacted demand despite economic conditions remaining favourable for the sector. BLR Airport has actively responded to these disruptions by expanding its cargo handling capacity to accommodate the potential rise in air cargo movement. In FY ’24, BLR Cargo continued its growth momentum, with several notable achievements including: In May 2023, BLR Airport achieved a significant milestone with the successful transition of two of India’s brownfield cargo terminals. The cargo terminals are now primarily managed by Menzies Aviation (Bengaluru) Private Limited (MABPL) and WFS (Bengaluru) Pvt Ltd (WFSBPL). Additionally, a new Domestic Cargo Terminal project initiated by MABPL is underway and scheduled to be operational within the year. Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has taken on the development, financing, operation, and maintenance of a new greenfield logistics park at KIAB for a 15-year period. The 370,000 sq. ft. park will offer Grade-A warehouse space with features such as …