Category Archives: Aviation

Amit Tandon, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Shipping India said, “India has recognised the importance of expanding its domestic air cargo ecosystem beyond just the metro cities, and that is where Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are starting to play a much bigger role. One of the most impactful initiatives has been the UDAN scheme, which focuses on improving regional air connectivity. Under this, many smaller airports have been upgraded to handle not just passenger traffic but also cargo—especially for sectors like agriculture, pharma, and e-commerce that need faster, more efficient logistics. More airports are being developed under this scheme as greenfield projects. A strong momentum is also seen through the Gati Shakti initiative and the National Logistics Policy, both of which prioritise developing multimodal logistics infrastructure in non-metro regions. These efforts are aimed at linking regional production hubs, like textile clusters, industrial parks and agri zones, to national and international markets via air. The increasing connectivity of the moffusil airports to the gateway airports also improves the efficiency of the export activity for the perishable products. What is promising is the growing investment in infrastructure like modern and well-equipped warehouses, temperature-controlled storage, digital cargo tracking, and bonded warehousing, at regional airports.  Private players are also stepping in, which is helping to accelerate the process. Furthermore, cities like Indore, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Guwahati and other export centres are already emerging as cargo nodes, and this trend is only going to strengthen with the passage of time. It’s a big step forward for inclusive trade growth and building a truly nationwide logistics network.

Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has inaugurated its first Vertical Storage Warehouse in Bhiwandi, Thane district, Maharashtra. Spread across 2.84 lakh sq. ft., the warehouse features over 3,200 pallet positions and a high-density G+6 vertical racking system, significantly maximizing storage efficiency while minimizing physical footprint. Serving as the mother hub for key regional markets—Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh—the facility is designed to enable agile, responsive logistics tailored to evolving business needs. Saurabh Jhawar, Head – Product Supply Organisation, India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “The launch of our first vertical storage warehouse is a transformative step in our journey toward building a smart, agile, and future-ready supply chain. In just 18 months under Project Parivartan, we have upgraded a majority of our key logistics hubs to Grade A facilities. This new warehouse in Maharashtra stands as a beacon of our commitment to operational excellence, digital integration, and sustainable growth—allowing us to serve our consumers with enhanced speed, safety, and care.” In March 2025, GCPL launched its first integrated greenfield plant in Tamil Nadu—representing a transformational shift in manufacturing. This advanced facility, the company’s first fully integrated plant under one roof, will manufacture products from some of GCPL’s most popular brands, including Cinthol, Godrej No.1, Goodknight, Godrej aer, and Godrej Expert Hair Colour. With the addition of the Vertical Storage Warehouse, GCPL is further strengthening its national distribution network. This marks a strategic shift toward real-time, data-led decision-making and automated scheduling systems that will enhance supply chain agility and responsiveness. This development underscores GCPL’s unwavering belief in creating shared value and building resilient, innovation-driven infrastructure that aligns with its broader ambition—to lead with purpose and redefine excellence …

Sateshwar Tuteja, Director – Sales at Jeena & Company shares his viewpoint on the 90 days pause on US trade tariffs, he said, “The imposition of U S tariffs across the globe has been a major concern for all the manufacturers, and traders. The recent developments have only caused chaos and uncertainty leading to impact on overall trade. The announcement of 90-days suspension is seen as a positive outlook for leveraging the maximum export opportunity. This temporary pause has offered a narrow but vital window for the global manufacturers to breathe and strategize for the next phase of their business journey. All sectors are rushing to export goods in bulk to the U.S, which has in turn created an extensive demand for logistics and operations. We might witness an initial double-digit spike in freight rates as exporters are rushing to book consignments. In the international market, the freight rates rose 3% to $2265 per 40 containers last week, according to Dewry’s World Container Index. This surge in export volumes has added a layer of burden on the logistics industry that is witnessing capacity constraints, shortage of storage (effective warehouses and temperature-sensitive zones), and influence on trade patterns. To ensure seamless deliveries and shipments, supply-chain structures must be analysed in order to mitigate disruptions, which are created by new tariffs. An assessment of current routing can be done to optimize existing pressures of tariffs. Both the logistics players and manufacturers should collaborate to plan mid-term strategies and prepare accordingly to get maximum gains from this opportunity. This 90-day window presents a valuable opportunity to assess the performance of our regular vendors, evaluate their ability to exceed key performance indicators (KPIs), refine …

DP World announced the launch of the Bharat Africa Setu. This initiative is being developed under the guidance of the Government of India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of External Affairs. This platform will provide Indian businesses access to robust warehousing, trade finance, and distribution networks—fuelling south-south cooperation and inclusive growth. It will connect India and Africa through sea and air connectivity between ports, economic zones and logistics parks operated by DP World in both geographies. The Bharat Africa Setu will provide Indian exporters with access to 53 African countries where DP World already has a strong logistics footprint, connecting to 260,000 points of sale.  His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World unveiled the ‘Bharat Africa Setu’ initiative in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and other dignitaries at the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai. Africa imports approximately USD 430 billion worth of goods from various countries, presenting a significant market for global exporters. Currently, India exports USD 28 billion worth of goods to Africa, accounting for 6.5% of Africa’s total imports. This offers a significant opportunity for India’s export economy to grow its share to 12% by 2030. The Bharat Africa Setu will combine efficient physical infrastructure with value added services – thus creating a holistic trade ecosystem. It will enable Indian manufacturers to display new and upcoming product concepts. It will further ensure ease of access to trade support services such as export finance, marketing & branding, packaging, logistics, testing & certification services and reduce cash flow constraints. Additionally, it will also facilitate ease in compliance with regulatory processes, …

  Emirates SkyCargo and Teleport, exclusive cargo partner of AirAsia, have signed MoU to create a preferred partnership that will support global trade and e-commerce flows. Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s divisional senior vice president and Pete Chareonwongsak, chief executive of Teleport sign the MoU at ongoing IATA WCS. Through interline options and block space agreements, the partnership between Emirates SkyCargo and Teleport aims to support the burgeoning trade between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world via Dubai, the UAE-based carrier said, describing Southeast Asia and the wider Asian continent as “the backbone of global manufacturing” – particularly for electronics, smart gadgets, fashion and textiles, machines, automobiles and pharmaceuticals.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association (BCBA) have collaborated on boosting skilling and jointly launched training programmes for the youth of Palghar district with the intention that they will be trained, skilled and ready to work in the upcoming Vadhavan Port, and with the customs brokers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders.The inaugural session was conducted on Wednesday. The training program will be of  around 4 weeks where the prospective students will be taught and after evaluation offered a jobs in respective fields. A curriculum has been thoughtfully created by the BCBA Skills and Development Committee for them. The teaching will be theoretical as well as practical. The endeavour is that end of the training, the students will be evaluated and then given internships in various customs brokers companies and then when Vadhavan Port is ready, there is ready pool of skilled professionals available to be employed immediately. BCBA has created a curriculum which whilst being easy to understand for the students will be easy to grasp and then implement. Government of India has announced development of Vadhavan port in Maharashtra. The Vadhavan Port is being developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). JNPA holds 74% and MMB holds 26% of the shares in VPPL. This port in the coming years will not only create more businesses but also generate a lot of employment and change the region for the better. More growth, education, skilled workforce and prosperity. The port is expected to elevate India into the top 10 container ports globally by 2034, according to Union Shipping and Ports Minister Sarbananda …

Blue Dart Express announced the expansion of its network with same day deliveries in Guwahati. This strategic move was driven by Blue Dart’s vision to empower Northeast India, a zone that plays a pivotal role in the country’s economic growth, to provide them with a window to scalebusiness in the region. Known for its vast consumption base and emerging business hubs, Guwahati serves as a key centre for industries such as Tea, Handicrafts, Pharmaceuticals, and more. Through this strategic move, Blue Dart will offer a robust next-day service to the city and a 48-hour delivery timeline to neighbouring states, catering to the region’s rapidly growing consumption ecosystem. This enhanced connectivity will help boost local businesses while also ensuring that companies in Northeast India can seamlessly reach customers across the country within 24 to 48 hours. This service also offers late cut-off times and early delivery options, maximizing flexibility for customers. With minimized delivery times and optimized transit schedules, businesses handling high-value or perishable goods will benefit from enhanced reliability, reduced damages, and quicker access to markets. Blue Dart’s dedicated network, supported by specialized infrastructure, a robust fleet of ground vehicles, and expanding aircraft operations with two Boeing 737-800 freighters ensures optimized operational efficiency. These freighters operate with a capacity of 21 tons per flight, facilitating efficient movement of goods across key markets and ensuring faster turnarounds. By bridging critical markets and facilitating smoother trade routes, Blue Dart will empower local enterprises, MSMEs, and large businesses to access wider markets across the country, while also laying the foundation for stronger global linkages through Blue Dart’s extensive network. Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express, stated, “Blue Dart’s entry into Northeast India …

  At the ongoing IATA World Cargo Symposium, being held in Dubai, Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo, IATA emphasised the vital role of air cargo in maintaining global supply chain resilience and called on governments and industry to remain focused on delivering the fundamental expectations of customers—safety and security, digitalisation and sustainability.“Whether supporting global trade, enabling e-commerce, or delivering vital humanitarian aid, the value of air cargo has never been clearer. To meet customer expectations and navigate an increasingly complex environment, the air cargo industry must continuously strengthen safety and security, fast-track digitalisation, and deliver on its sustainability commitments,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo at the opening of the 18th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Dubai, UAE. Safety: Zero Tolerance for Rogue Shippers Safety is the top priority for air transport and in the case of air cargo the specific focus is on the safe transport of lithium batteries. IATA calls ongovernment to step up efforts to stop rogue shippers and support ICAO’s work to strengthen Annex 18 of the Chicago Convention—the global framework for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. “Shipments of lithium batteries are growing in volume. With that come increased risks associated with undeclared or mis-declared goods. The industry has invested in training, certification, and technology. Governments must match that commitment with robust oversight and enforcement,” said Sullivan. Security: The Need for Coordinated, Risk-Based Measures IATA reinforced calls to governments for a coordinated, risk-based approach to air cargo security following recent incidents involving incendiary devices concealed in shipments. While some states implemented new measures, the lack of alignment led to inconsistent outcomes. This situation reinforces the importance of harmonized responses based …

  The much-awaited, FIATA Region Asia-Pacific (RAP) Meeting being held in New Delhi from 21 to 24 May 2025 will focus on sustainability and green logistics, air cargo industry becoming transshipment and global cargo hub, multimodal logistics, digitalisation and industrial collaboration. Jointly organised by the FIATA and The Air Cargo Agents Association of India, (ACAAI), the event serves as a premier gathering for logistics professionals, freight forwarders, and trade associations across the region. This event offers a platform to discuss supply chain innovation, industry challenges, and future opportunities. Key highlights include insightful discussions and networking opportunities with top industry professionals from across the globe.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the FACE Ambassadors Program, a new initiative that will form part of the wider Future Air Cargo Executives (FACE) Program, aimed at promoting air cargo career opportunities to a broader and younger audience worldwide. According to the transport association, FACE Ambassadors will play a key role in extending the reach of the initiative by: • Leading regional and local outreach initiatives, including community engagement and educational partnerships, with the aim of increasing awareness of air cargo career opportunities • Serving as industry advocates by sharing their professional journeys and insights, with the goal of inspiring and mentoring the next generation of air cargo professionals