Category Archives: Aviation

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Drones are set to revolutionise logistics by enabling faster, cost-effective, and eco-friendly last-mile deliveries. They can bypass traffic congestion, reduce delivery times, and reach remote or inaccessible areas with ease. In the coming years, advancements in AI, automation, and payload capacity will enhance their reliability, making them a game-changer for e-commerce, medical supplies, and urgent shipments.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Drones have a crucial role to achieve logistics efficiency considering its safety parameters. They enable real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments, ensuring timely and intact delivery. Drones help us by inspecting storage facilities and transportation fleets and to further uphold safety standards while handling regulatory compliance. They also conduct inspections in hazardous environments like mining sites, mitigating risks of accidents and fatalities. These are equipped with advanced censors and can detect environmental issues such as temperature and humidity, ensuring optimal storage conditions for goods. Drones have the potential to completely change the way that goods and services are delivered by giving the businesses ability to lower logistical costs, boost productivity, and provide customers with faster product delivery. This revolutionary innovation not only redefines operating standards but also holds out the possibility of a time when supply chains will function more responsibly than ever before and also meet the evolving demands of global commerce to address the challenging areas and deliver goods to locations that are difficult to access.”

  C K Govil, CMD, ActivAir Airfreight said, “Drones are set to revolutionise logistics and last-mile deliveries by enhancing speed, reducing costs and improving accessibility. They can bypass traffic, cut delivery times and reach remote areas efficiently. By minimising fuel consumption and labor costs, they offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. AI-driven automation will optimize routes, ensuring seamless operations. As regulations evolve, drones will play a crucial role in faster, eco-friendly and efficient deliveries, making supply chains more resilient and responsive in the coming years.

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics said, “Drone logistics offers a promising solution to enhance speed, but policymakers must exercise caution to mitigate potential security challenges. This innovative technology is particularly valuable in areas where traditional transportation is difficult or impossible, such as hilly regions, riverbanks, jungles, and remote areas. The integration of drone logistics can: – Create new employment opportunities – Provide faster delivery of medical aid and essential supplies – Enhance accessibility to hard-to-reach areas – Streamline delivery of defense equipment and supplies. However, it’s crucial to address concerns surrounding security, regulation, and infrastructure to ensure the safe and effective deployment of drone logistics.”

Ankit Gupta, Founder, Skye Air Mobility said, “The PMGS is changing logistics landscape by driving multimodal linkage and fostering infra development. For the drone industry, this initiative marks a pivotal step toward integrating advanced technologies such as drones into the core logistics network. Complemented by government initiatives such as the Drone Shakti programme and the PLI schemes, a thriving ecosystem for drone startups is taking shape. At Skye Air, we are aligned with these efforts and recognise how PMGS aligns with potential of drone technology. By enabling inter-modal infra and offering policy support, this plan is poised to accelerate the adoption of drones in logistics operations. The potential for drones in India’s logistics sector is vast and transformative. These cutting-edge technologies address longstanding challenges such as traffic congestion, limited connectivity in remote areas, and the high costs associated with last-mile deliveries. At Skye Air, we’ve witnessed how drones revolutionize supply chains by significantly reducing delivery times and offering a cost-effective, highly efficient alternative to traditional logistics models. As industries like e-commerce, healthcare, and agriculture continue to expand, drones are set to become a cornerstone of the logistics ecosystem. The growing demand for quick commerce and faster deliveries, especially in urban areas, further underscores the critical role drones can play in reshaping the future of logistics.”

          Dubai-based cargo operator SolitAir Holding is looking to invest USD 25 million in the domestic market in the first year of operations, its founder and Chief Executive Officer Hamdi Osman has said. He also said that India is very critical for global trade and SolitAir places it at the top of its 50-city mission and vision that it is looking at in the long-term. The UAE’s only dedicated cargo-agnostic airline operating express daily scheduled services between Dubai and high-yield key trade routes across the Global South, started operations last year with a Boeing 737 freighter plans to connect and service 50 cities within a six-hour flight radius of the UAE through its air cargo network. “Based on cost and investment coming into India, we are talking anywhere between USD 20-25-million investment in the Indian market in the first year,” Osman told PTI. The company launched its freighter services to Bengaluru in January this year. He said that this investment could be doubled and tripled in the next 2-3 years as the company expands its network and increases the frequency of its services and that will be a big thing for the company.

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organised Bharat Drone Manthan 2.0 in New Delhi focusing on Advancing the drone ecosystem towards Viksit Bharat. The experts focused on investing in drones manufacturing and technology to boost logistics efficiency, skilling and last mile deliveries. They also stressed upon creating an ecosystem in India for drones, by empowering startups, drone manufacturers and IT professionals. Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MoCA and Shekhar Dutt, Member IIPA and Former Governor, Chattisgarh graced the event as guest of honours. The key focus areas included evolving futuristic drone technology and current policy landscape, impact of drones on defence sector, drones manufacturing, innovation and R&D, capacity building, etc. Industry experts also participated in drones exhibition and engaged in insightful discussions. Experts from various sectors like tourism, IT, MSMEs and logistics participated.

Figures released by data provider Xeneta indicates that in February air cargo demand increased by 4 per cent year on year, the dynamic load factor was flat at 59 per cent and the average spot freight rate was up 10 per cent to $2.53 per kg. However, Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer at Xeneta said that there was also a ‘taste of what’s to come’ with strict rules for e-commerce shipments when rates from Shanghai to the US fell by 29 per cent month on month in February to $3.23 per kg. Van de Wouw said that Shanghai was likely to be the origin to first see the impact of lower e-commerce volumes. “Even allowing for the earlier Lunar New Year and the seasonal e-commerce slowdown at the start of the year, the fall in Shanghai-US spot rates, following the temporary removal of the de minimis exemption on Chinese shipments, may be one of the first indicators that the regulatory/political conversations are starting to affect the air cargo market,” he said. “If a fall in e-commerce volumes means there’s currently more available capacity to do business out of Hong Kong and southern China again, we would expect Shanghai to be the first market to feel this impact, and that’s what we saw in February. This may be short-term, but the uncertainty around e-commerce is impacting the market.”

SF Airlines officially touched down in Bengaluru on March 6, 2025, with its B767-300 freighter, marking a new milestone in India’s air cargo landscape. The airline will operate a weekly freighter service (EHU-BLR-EHU) with WFS BLR, a SATS Group member, as its trusted cargo handler. The inaugural flight was welcomed with a special ceremony as WFS efficiently handled both import and export cargo. This latest SF-WFS collaboration at BLR strengthens their growing network across multiple stations. With increased freighter capacity, SF Airlines’ entry into BLR will significantly boost imports and enhance connectivity for businesses. A new era of air cargo expansion begins!

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Logistical services in the air cargo sector comprise the vital components such as warehousing, transportation, packaging, supply chain solutions etc., which are essential to significantly improve the competitiveness of supply chains across the globe. Thus, a proper training in logistics management and skill development are extremely important to the present work force in the sector apart from the aspirants who are desirous to prosper their careers in the sector. It is clear that such training supported with enhanced skilled execution of functions are fundamental factors to successfully manage any company’s operations since a skilled manpower ensures optimal utilisation of the infrastructure and implementation of policy regulations. The government is also expected to extend its absolute assistance in extending the required skill training to the concerned personnel in all the possible areas, wherever feasible.”