Category Archives: Aviation

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers shares, “As we transition to a new government, it is imperative to realize the ambitious target to achieve 10 million metric tons (MMT) of annual cargo throughput by 2030, aligning with India’s aspirations to become a global logistics hub. Central to this vision is the National Logistics Policy (NLP) under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP). One strategic move that the new government should prioritize is implementation of the Air Freight Policy, circulated on 28th October 2014, in letter and spirit ,so as to ensure the development/operationalising of off-airport locations and Air Freight Stations (AFS) in time stipulated manner unlike operationalization of India’s 1st Greenfield Air Freight Station which, even after more than a decade, is yet to take off commercially. To encourage the establishment of off-airport locations and AFS across India, government support in the form of subsidies and incentives will be crucial. Providing subsidies for the construction and operation of off-airport AFS will attract investment from the private sector and expedite the development process. As the new government steps into office, it carries the mantle of driving India towards becoming a global logistics powerhouse. By focusing on the development of off-airport Air Freight Stations, the government can address the space constraints at major airports and pave the way for a robust, efficient, and scalable air cargo infrastructure.”

“We must work with the government to improve how certain policies are structured to facilitate transshipment through India, to improve some of the security regulations to enable greater movement of goods and drive industry progress,” says Satyaki Raghunath, COO, BIAL in an exclusive chat with Cargo Talk adding “Active engagement and proactive measures are necessary for the industry to navigate and overcome these challenges effectively.” He adds, “It’s all about knowing that there is an opportunity in the India air cargo sector and making sure we take advantage of it. It will entail collaborating with airline partners, freighters, and the wider ecosystem to ensure that we take advantage of the growing demand and opportunity for air cargo to reclaim its place in terms of being a significant revenue stream for both the airlines and airports.”

Cargo Flash Infotech announced a partnership with Uganda Airlines Cargo to implementation of Cargo Flash’s next generation ‘nGen’ Integrated Cargo Management System (ICMS), heralding a new era of digital efficiency and streamlined cargo operations for Uganda’s flagship cargo carrier. Uganda Airlines Cargo is set to leverage the advanced capabilities of the ‘nGen’ ICMS, encompassing a comprehensive suite of features, it has to offer. This next-generation system is designed to transform Uganda Airlines Cargo’s cargo management, moving from legacy systems to a state-of-the-art digital platform. The key advantages of adopting the ‘nGen’ ICMS are manifold. By consolidating various cargo management functions into one seamlessly integrated platform, Uganda Airlines Cargo will eliminate data duplicity and the need for repetitive data entry. The ‘nGen’ ICMS is a fully web-based system hosted on the cloud, offering unparalleled accessibility and flexibility for cargo management operations. Neha Kumari, Business Head – nGen , Cargo Flash, expressed her excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to collaborate with Uganda Airlines Cargo, a prominent player in the African aviation sector. The ‘nGen’ ICMS is a game-changer, providing a unified solution to replace disparate systems and optimise cargo management processes. This strategic partnership underscores our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that drive efficiency and excellence in Air Cargo operations.” The ‘nGen’ ICMS is poised to enhance Uganda Airlines Cargo’s operational capabilities, offering real-time insights, improved data accuracy, and a user-friendly interface for enhanced productivity. This partnership represents a significant step forward in aligning Uganda Airlines Cargo’s air freight operations with the latest advancements in technology. Morris Ongwech, Manager Cargo and Logistics Services from Uganda Airlines Cargo expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to partner with …

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Airports Council International (ACI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the overall level of safety, efficiency and sustainability of cargo operations within the airport ecosystem. The MoU will focus on the development of joint advocacy programmes in the context of ICAO events, aimed at facilitating the sustainable growth and development of the aviation industry and with a focus on cargo; cooperation in the establishment of joint programmes or mutual support of industry initiatives, in particular in the domains of aviation workforce and social sustainability; and mutual support for and collaboration across actions and initiatives aiming to achieve the industry agreed goal of net zero emissions by 2050. TIACA and ACI will also focus on participation in each other’s working groups and committees as necessary, to provide industry expertise and strategic orientation where appropriate; collaborating on the establishment of relevant industry guidance material and technical recommendations on topics of use for the respective memberships; cross-promotion of relevant activities, such as events or publications, to each other’s membership or relevant governance bodies; and sharing of relevant documents, data and information as needed in the context of the Parties work programmes.

The latest figures from supply chain data firm Xeneta show that air cargo demand in May increased by 12% year on year, the fifth month in a row of double-digit increases. Booming e-commerce volumes are propelling this demand, says Xeneta leading air cargo industry towards a double-digit percentage increase in demand this year. Xeneta chief airfreight officer Niall van de Wouw said that the latest demand increase meant it was looking more likely the industry could report double-digit percentage demand growth for the full year. “We can’t use the word ‘surprising’ anymore,” he said. “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.” Meanwhile, capacity was up 4% year on year meaning the dynamic load factor for the month increased by three percentage points to 58%. Rates at a global level increased compared with a year ago for the second month in a row – jumping 9% year on year to $2.58 per kg – although this is compared with a low level in 2023.

SriLankan Cargo unveiled its reinvented service delivery framework and website, with a strong focus on customer experience. The new service model of SriLankan Cargo classifies service delivery under Freshness Class, Wellness Class, Precious Class and Guardian Class to ensure consistent and premium care for customers and their consignments. It also includes a 24/7 service hotline and a redesigned website for a better user experience. “We are excited to present our latest innovation – product verticals – that is the culmination of our collective focus, dedication and creativity in the pursuit of excellence in airfreight services. SriLankan Cargo is passionate about serving its customers even better by setting new standards, which when coupled with the innate warmth and friendliness of our people, create a service that rivals the best in class,” stated Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo of SriLankan Airlines. The four classes of service emphasize precision in activities throughout the airfreight logistics process. Freshness Class and Wellness Class focus on priority service, rapid connections and advanced cold chain management to conserve the freshness of perishable cargo and potency of medicine, respectively. Precious Class pledges to offer the highest degree of security for valuable and vulnerable cargo, and Guardian Class aims to provide all the comfort and care that pets and other animals need during air transportation.

Riyadh Air and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed MoU to establish a new partnership between the two airlines. The agreement was inked by Riyadh Air Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Douglas and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong on the sidelines of the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai. Under the MoU, the carriers will explore opportunities for interline connectivity on each other’s services, subject to regulatory approval, an official news release stated. They will also work on other potential areas of commercial cooperation, including codeshare arrangements, reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyer programme members, cargo services, customer experience, and digital innovation as a precursor to a deeper, long-term, strategic partnership.

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has signed MOU to explore business opportunities for leveraging the advantage of each other’s infrastructure and experience in synergy to offer seamless and cost effective end-to-end logistics services to customers under a single window, says reports. Sanjay Swarup, CMD,CONCOR in a statement said that this MoU will enable them to utilise SCI’s shipping services to develop CONCOR’s Footprint at overseas locations and also to foray in the field of Coastal & Inland Waterways trade to offer a wide range of customisable logistics solution for the benefit of trade at large.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) promotes sustainability with the introduction of a new fleet of electric vehicle (EV) Airport Taxis, in collaboration with Refex eVeelz. The new EV fleet comprises 175 compact SUVs, marking a significant shift from traditional fuel-based taxis. With over 50 percent of the fleet being electric, BLR Airport aims to drastically reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment benefiting both the immediate surroundings of the airport and beyond.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Dubai for the first time from June 2 to 4, 2024, IATA has announced cargo revenues are expected to fall to US$120 billion in 2024 (from US$138 billion in 2023). Both are down sharply from the extraordinary peak of US$210 billion in 2021, but it is above 2019 revenues, which were US$101 billion and an improvement on the previous forecast of US$111 billion (announced in December 2023). IATA strengthened profitability projections for airlines in 2024 compared with its June and December 2023 forecasts. It also stated total air cargo volumes are expected to reach 62 million tonnes (MT) in 2024. Despite the strength of demand, the cargo yields are expected to fall 17.5 per cent in 2024, while remaining slightly above 2019 levels. This is a normalisation after extraordinary COVID highs. A key factor in this is the significant belly capacity that entered the market in 2023 in tandem with the recovery of passenger travel. In general, air cargo is in a period of correction following an exceptional year in 2021. Yields, capacity growth, the belly-dedicated freighter split, and other key metrics are moving from the extraordinary mid-pandemic situation towards a continuation of pre-COVID trends and levels.