Category Archives: Aviation

“In India, airlines are strategically leveraging the belly capacity of passenger aircraft to augment air cargo efficiency, says Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime Group adding, “addressing the booming demand for air freight amidst fluctuating global supply chain dynamics. The belly space of passenger aircraft refers to the unused space in the hold beneath the passenger compartment, which can be used to transport cargo. This space is particularly valuable for transporting goods on routes already served by regular passenger flights, offering a cost-effective solution without the need for dedicated cargo flights.” He continues. “Indian carriers are increasingly exploring the full potential of this space by accommodating a wide range of cargo, from perishables and pharmaceuticals to e-commerce packages and general cargo. This is facilitated by the ability of modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, which offer substantial belly cargo capacity alongside passenger loads. The utilization of belly space is enhanced by sophisticated logistics planning and cargo handling systems that allow airlines to maximize load factors, optimize fuel efficiency, and reduce the carbon footprint per unit of cargo.”

DHL has unveiled plans to build a distribution centre for air freight at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, says release. The facility will be built over a plot covering 21.424 square metres, which is owned by maintenance company Jat Tehnika. The 10.176 square metre terminal within the airport complex will feature an administrative building, fulfilment centre for distribution, handling, and processing of goods, as well as a car park for 120 vehicles. Construction is expected to commence later this year

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), inaugurated state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at the newly established Manohar International Airport in north Goa. Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing) BPCL, inaugurated the facilities in the presence of Kanwarbir Singh Kalra (Deputy CEO, GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL).and other senior leadership from BPCL and GGIAL. The introduction of the advanced hydrant facility is a strategic move by BPCL to cater to the rapidly growing refueling demands of the new greenfield airport. Manohar International Airport is a crucial addition to Goa’s aviation landscape, supplementing the existing Naval airport in Dabolim, which has faced constraints due to limited operational hours for civil aircraft. With the start of operations at Manohar International Airport, the combined traffic at both airports has increased. Shri Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing), BPCL, said “The inauguration of these state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at Manohar International Airport marks a significant step in BPCL’s journey to enhance aviation infrastructure in India. This strategic expansion is aimed at meeting the growing refueling demands and ensuring seamless operations. BPCL remains committed to pioneering advancements that support the robust growth of the aviation sector, reinforcing our dedication to efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.” Spanning across 6 acres of land, the hydrant fuel farm boasts a storage capacity of 8,270 KL. The hydrant system comprises an intricate network of underground pipelines connecting seamlessly to the airport’s 13 aircraft parking bays. The entire operation is meticulously managed through a fully automated console, ensuring efficiency and safety in fuel distribution. In addition to the inauguration at MOPA, Aviation Fuelling Stations were virtually unveiled at nine other airports, bringing the total count of BPCL-operated facilities to an impressive 75 airports nationwide. This expansion comes at …

“ULIP offers an unprecedented opportunity for states to enhance their logistics frameworks. I encourage all states to actively leverage ULIP and drive forward a seamless, efficient, and inclusive logistics sector across India,” said Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in a workshop organised to promote Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) so it continues to lead the charge in transforming India’s logistics sector. The event saw enthusiastic participation from representatives of various states including Telangana, Kerala, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, and Rajasthan. Additionally, many industry associations, enterprises and start-ups joined the workshop. He also emphasized the critical role of ULIP in fostering collaboration and integration among states to create a unified logistics ecosystem.

“Enhancing airport infrastructure and optimizing integrated cargo handling processes to streamline operations and enhance service quality is the need of the hour,” says Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management Pvt Ltd. He adds, “Secondly, navigating the complex regulatory landscape poses a challenge for handlers in India. Cumbersome regulatory approvals, intricate procedures and documentation requirements impede operational efficiency. Simplifying regulatory processes and fostering greater collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies are essential to facilitate smoother operations. Lastly, intense competition within the handling sector necessitates continuous innovation to maintain competitiveness. Collaborative efforts among cargo industry players to standardize processes, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions are crucial for driving growth and sustaining competitiveness. By proactively addressing these bottlenecks through concerted efforts and strategic initiatives, we can overcome challenges and unlock the true potential of the cargo handling industry in India.”

“The air cargo industry faces headwinds. Volatile fuel costs, including the rise of cleaner-burning Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), create pricing instability,” says Kunal Maheshwari, Chief Growth Officer, Softlink Global. He adds, “Traditional tracking systems lack real-time data, leaving shippers in the dark. Paper-based processes lead to delays and errors. Labor shortages and outdated airport infrastructure further disrupt on-time delivery. Evolving security regulations add complexity. Geopolitical events disrupt cargo flows. Finally, air cargo’s high carbon footprint demands solutions like SAF and route optimization. These challenges necessitate collaboration between airlines, freight forwarders, technology providers – which is what Softlink Global is – a technology provider to thousands of freight forwarders – and regulators to build a more efficient, transparent, resilient, and sustainable air cargo system.”

DP World has achieved a historic milestone with its Chennai Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd. Port (CCTPL), successfully berthing and handling its deepest-ever container vessel. The vessel, named APL Boston, boasts a draft of 14.9 meters and a capacity of 9,326 TEUs. This achievement underscores DP World’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of maritime excellence and facilitating seamless trade flow. The vessel serves critical locations in the port rotation, including, Colombo, London Gateway, Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore. Notably, this vessel serves major ports across Europe, enhancing connectivity and trade opportunities. The APL Boston vessel, with dimensions measuring 328 meters in length and 46 meters in breadth, signifies a new era of maritime operations at CCTL. This service belongs to a consortium of partners comprising MSC and CMA, with the vessel belonging to CMA. This milestone reaffirms DP World’s position as a global leader in maritime operations and highlights its unwavering commitment to driving innovation and efficiency in the logistics sector. DP World has maintained its focus on exceeding customer needs and anticipating future trends to facilitate and act as a driver for containerisation and industrial growth in India.

SriLankan Cargo, the cargo arm of SriLankan Airlines, has partnered with CargoAi, to simplify and enhance its airfreight booking and payment processes, and bring more transparency and velocity for users than ever. The integration of SriLankan Cargo’s airfreight services into CargoAi’s ecosystem gives users access to online booking and instant cross-border payment capabilities, while allowing SriLankan Cargo to increase its reach and support forwarders that were previously untapped. CargoAi’s integration with SriLankan Cargo also streamlines payment processes by offering multiple payment methods, ranging from local transfers to credit card payments, removing the reliance on cash payments and enhancing security and efficiency in financial transactions. Additionally, CargoAi’s CargoWALLET platform facilitates the reconciliation process, automating tasks that were previously manual and time-consuming. For freight forwarders, the integration also means that they no longer need to provide a bank guarantee or pay yearly subscriptions. Everything is seamlessly integrated with CargoMART, simplifying operations and reducing overhead costs, allowing forwarders to focus on core business operations without the burden of administrative complexities. Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo of SriLankan Airlines commented by saying, “Our partnership with CargoAi marks another significant stride in our digitalization journey, aimed at expanding our horizons. We will be able to enhance the visibility of our inventory and offer customers a convenient airfreight booking experience. We are looking forward to extending our market reach and engaging with businesses of all scales with CargoAi.” Matt Petot, CEO of CargoAi, also expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with SriLankan Cargo marks a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize the air cargo industry. By leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance user experience, we are paving the way for a …

Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company shares, “By fostering collaboration and transparency, continuously upgrading the certifications, and educating employees regarding compliance and government rules and regulations, we ensure stakeholders and businesses mutually benefit from the prescribed processes by the regulatory bodies. This approach ensures that people involved in handling the Dangerous Goods follow a smoother & compliant process which results in cultivating a culture of vigilance, mitigates risks, and upholds stringent safety standards. Ultimately it fortifies mutual trust and bolsters sustainable growth. In today’s world, safeguarding our environment and its resources is of utmost importance.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers shares, “In the realm of Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) cargo handling and transportation, a crucial issue has emerged, casting shadows over the smooth flow of DG goods. Since the implementation of a new format, circulated by IATA, effective from January 1, 2023, institutes and instructors have been awaiting approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct the IATA DGR course. However, the absence of this approval has led to a stalemate, preventing officials of IATA approved freight forwarders/agents from renewing their certificates. Compounding the problem is the imposition of an age limit cap of 70 years for DGR instructors, exacerbating the shortage of qualified personnel in the market. The consequence of this bottleneck is the non-compliance of DGR cargo handling processes for both export and import cargo, potentially disrupting the movement of DG goods through the country. Although the DGCA has assured that approvals will likely be granted by the end of May, the delay has raised concerns among trade associations and bodies. It is imperative for the DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation to swiftly resolve this issue to prevent any adverse impact on the international cargo movement originating from India. The industry remains hopeful that the movement of DGR cargo will not be unduly hampered, as any disruptions would undoubtedly reverberate throughout the broader landscape of international cargo transportation.”