Category Archives: Aviation

Air cargo demand in Asia grew in February “as a result of business and e-commerce activity” said the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). Preliminary February 2024 traffic figures released by the AAPA show international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), increased by 10.2% year on year in February. “With inflation levels moderating, rising demand spurred renewed vigour in the global manufacturing sector, supporting further growth in air cargo markets,” said the AAPA. Offered freight capacity expanded by a robust 20.8%, primarily from growth in bellyhold space. Consequently, the average international freight load factor fell by 5.5 percentage points to 57.3% for the month. Speaking about the first two months of the year, AAPA director general Subhas Menon said that the period “saw a 16% increase in international air cargo demand, progressing the recovery recorded since the last quarter of 2023”. He added: “Healthy growth in e-commerce transactions fuelled a rise in demand for speedier air transport. Additionally, there were also indications of a modal shift from sea to air due to the Red Sea crisis.” Menon had a positive outlook for the air cargo industry in the next few months. “The upturn in global economic activity and rise in business confidence levels augurs well for air cargo markets in the coming months.” AAPA figures for 2023 showed international air cargo demand declined by 2.8% year on year.

Korean Air has connected its cargo booking system with DHL Global Forwarding. This is the first time for the airline to connect its booking system directly with a freight forwarder, says an official release. “The application programming interface (API) allows customers to make reservations directly from their own system, bypassing the need to access the airline’s platform. This integration enhances workflow efficiency by enabling real-time data exchange between airlines and customers, facilitating easier access to flight schedules and air cargo rates.” Jaedong Eum, Senior Vice President and Head of Cargo Business Division, Korean Air says: “In establishing direct connectivity with a prominent customer like DHL Global Forwarding, we are able to offer advanced services. Looking ahead, we are dedicated to exploring innovative channels to extend our system connections, enhancing our service offerings for an even broader clientele.” Max Sauberschwarz, Global Head of Air Freight, DHL Global Forwarding adds: “We are excited to announce our direct booking connection with our long-lasting partner Korean Air Cargo through CargoWise. This streamlines our internal processes and enhances efficiency for our customers. This is another step in our digital journey and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering value in air freight for our customers.” Korean Air reported a 29 percent decline in cargo revenue at KRW 1,102 billion ($815 million) on 29 percent decline in yield to 497 KRW/km for the fourth quarter of 2023. For the full year 2023, cargo revenue was down 48 percent to KRW 4,029 billion ($3 billon) on 40 percent decline in yield to 478 KRW/km.

Strategic focus and collaboration essential to harness the opportunities in the drone market, which is projected to reach $100 billion globally by 2030, said Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GoI, while addressing the gathering at Bharat Drone Manthan 2024 hosted by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). He also highlighted the immense potential of drone technology and India’s strategic positioning in this evolving landscape. He was invited as the Guest of Honour. Srivastava also underscored India’s favorable environment for drone innovation, citing government’s initiatives like Svamitva scheme, a pioneering land mapping project, and the government’s efforts to streamline regulations and incentivize the industry through schemes like PLI. With a clear vision to become a global drone hub, Srivastava outlined critical areas for growth, including manufacturing, design innovation, and financing, urging stakeholders to capitalize on India’s rich talent pool and collaborative spirit for transformative progress in the drone sector.

Blue Dart announced its central presence in GIFT City, Gujarat, with the inauguration of a new facility tailored to meet evolving customer demands and align with India’s growth trajectory. Equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure and seasoned personnel, Blue Dart’s GIFT City facility introduces a 20-hour delivery service from key metropolitan cities, ensuring a next-day delivery commitment. Commenting on this expansion, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, stated, “The inauguration of Blue Dart’s GIFT City facility signifies yet another milestone in our quest to redefine the logistics landscape. We are committed to providing best-in-class services and becoming the preferred logistics partner for all our customers’ shipping needs. We aim to enhance our market presence and capitalize on customer outreach opportunities at the global level. Blue Dart’s venture into the contemporary financial ecosystem of GIFT City will enable us to support businesses and generate value for our customers.”

Group Concorde has entered into partnership with Vietnam Airlines as its cargo General Sales Agent (GSA) in India, effective April 1, 2024. Group Concorde, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, will promote the Cargo Capacity from two key Indian markets – Delhi and Mumbai – to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi, respectively. Commencing May 15, 2024, all flights departing from Delhi will feature wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft, ensuring enhanced capacity and ease of cargo transportation. Mr. Prithviraj Chug, CEO of Group Concorde, expressed his delight at the partnership, stating, “This collaboration between Group Concorde and Vietnam Airlines represents a significant step forward to enhance our current portfolio of freight forwarder clients. We are excited about the opportunities it presents for both businesses and look forward to delivering unparalleled service and connectivity to our customers.”

WebCargo by Freightos announced a collaboration with Delta Cargo, enhancing its offering to freight forwarders on Freightos’ WebCargo and 7LFreight platforms via expanded access to real-time digital pricing and booking options. Delta Cargo is a leading air cargo belly carrier based in the United States, and their general cargo products and tariff fares have been available for eBooking on WebCargo since 2020, says a release from Freightos. “Building on recent technology-driven enhancements that saw Delta Cargo bookings on the platform grow by close to 3X year-over-year, the airline is now expanding the availability of its U.S. export and U.S. domestic fares and capacity on the platform.” 7LFreight and WebCargo customers now have access to real-time quotes and capacity for Delta Air Lines’ extensive global network out of the United States, reaching more than 250 destinations worldwide, the release added. “This collaboration also expands the products and services available for booking on the platforms including Delta Cargo’s DASH Heavy for the U.S. domestic market as well as their general freight and express heavy products for U.S. export shipments.” Zvi Schreiber, CEO, Freightos says: “The combination of global and domestic air cargo, particularly in the United States, is a game-changer for more efficient global trade. 7LFreight by Freightos already offers digital booking of domestic U.S. LTL trucking, and today we’re excited to offer instant transparent booking of air cargo from the U.S. across Delta Air Lines’ global network. This is another step in improving global freight for forwarders of all sizes, reducing cost, delays and uncertainty.” Sebastian Kunze, Director, Pricing and Revenue Management, Delta Cargo adds: “Our partnership with Freightos leverages their significant digital reach to accelerate Delta Cargo’s vision for providing …

Automaxis with its flagship product, FDP Connect™, is poised to streamline, automate, and digitize transactions related to Freight, Documents & Payments. This cutting-edge platform tackles longstanding challenges in international trade, fundamentally reshaping how businesses navigate the intricacies of global commerce. Cross-border trade often encounters inefficiencies and bottlenecks, hindering seamless transactions. Automaxis emerges as a beacon of efficiency and reliability, leveraging blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between stakeholders operating in silos. By fostering interoperability and seamless collaboration within the supply chain, Automaxis sets the stage for enhanced efficiency and reduced paperwork in international trade. As India gears to become the third-largest global economy, cross-border trade presents significant opportunities. The government’s initiatives under the Digital India initiative and Ease of Doing Business are further paving the way for smoother international trade. Automaxis, with its holistic approach, offers a comprehensive suite of tools to guide users through every stage of the international trade process. Notably, the recent commitment by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) to transition to 100% electronic Bills of Lading by 2030 underscores the urgency for digital transformation in the industry. A notable achievement for Automaxis is its integration with TradeTrust, MLETR compliant framework by IMDA Singapore. This partnership facilitates the digitization of crucial trade documents, including Bills of Lading, marking a significant milestone towards truly digital trade facilitation. The recent live paperless transaction between India and Singapore, piloted using the TradeTrust platform, underscores the efficacy and relevance of Automaxis’s solution in today’s digital economy. Automaxis is transforming the handling of Bills of Lading by digitizing this critical document. Traditionally paper-based and couriered, the original Bill of Lading holds immense value as a negotiable instrument representing …

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the 56% stake of the SP Group and 39% of Orissa Stevedores Limited (OSL) in Gopalpur Port Limited (GPL). The acquisition is made at an enterprise value of INR 3,080 crore#, and the transaction is subject to statutory approvals and fulfilment of other conditions precedents. Gopalpur port is located on the east coast of India and has the capacity to handle 20 MMTPA. The Government of Odisha awarded a 30-year concession to GPL in 2006, with the provision of two extensions of 10 years each. As a deep draft, multi-cargo port, Gopalpur handles a diverse mix of dry bulk cargo, including iron ore, coal, limestone, ilmenite, and alumina. The port plays an important role in supporting the growth of mineral-based industries in its hinterland, like iron & steel, alumina and others. The concessionaire has full flexibility to design and expand the port as per the market demand. GPL has received more than 500 acres of land on lease for development, with an option to receive additional land on lease to meet future capacity expansions. The port is well connected with its hinterland through the national Highway NH16 and a dedicated railway line connects the port with the Chennai-Howrah main line. # In addition to the enterprise value stated above there is a contingent consideration of INR 270 crores estimated to be payable after 5.5 years, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions as agreed with the sellers. Karan Adani, Managing Director of APSEZ, said, “The acquisition of Gopalpur Port will allow us to deliver more integrated and enhanced solutions to our customers. Its location will …

Challenge Group is set to utilize the added capacity of its second converted B767 freighter to establish a scheduled route between Mumbai (BOM) and Liège (LGG), operating twice weekly. The new scheduled flight creates a direct link between strong economic geographies with operations serving the whole of Europe and the US. Offering a payload of 52 tons per uplift, the freighter will mainly carry pharmaceuticals and electronics, but also the large and complex main deck cargo shipments that are Challenge Group’s expertise. “Given that India is striving to become the factory of the world, and the production of key verticals has significantly increased during the past few years, our strategic decision to now launch a regular and direct India-Europe service goes some way towards satisfying the intense customer demand on this route,” says Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer of Challenge Group. “In fact, after the inaugural flight, we are already adding a second weekly frequency from April onwards.” “The launch of our Mumbai freighter service is the result of extensive market preparation conducted over the past year. This initiative commenced with consistent charter operations across various airports such as DEL, HYD, and BLR. Subsequently, we conducted a targeted roadshow in BOM and DEL last June, engaging with key stakeholders in the logistics industry to present our assets, capabilities, expertise, our supply chain approach and the value proposition of our end-to-end solution. This endeavour provided more insights into their business requirements. Our participation in the recent Air Cargo India event in February further solidified our presence and network within the sector, paving the way for the successful introduction of our Mumbai freighter service.,” Or Zak explains. Challenge Group’s Indian cargo capacity …

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers focuses on trade regulations and asserts, “Changing trade policies can have significant impacts on global supply chains in air freight. Tariffs and Trade Barriers: If trade policies impose tariffs or other barriers on certain goods, it could lead to changes in the volume and direction of air freight shipments. Higher tariffs may make certain products more expensive to import/export, leading to a shift in demand for air freight services. Businesses would expect the Indian government to communicate any changes to trade policies in advance and to consult with stakeholders in finalizing the cargo tariff and other related issues which have potential impact on the air freight industry. Route Optimization: Air freight carriers may need to optimize their routes and operations in response to changing trade policies. This could involve rerouting flights to accommodate shifts in demand. Multiple dipping by the Air Freight carriers, subject to permission, may also be considered to explore the potential for Air Freight from Tier II and Tier III cities. Infrastructure Development: The Indian government may be expected to invest in infrastructure to support the growth of the air freight industry, including the expansion of airports, the modernization of air traffic control systems, and the development of cargo handling facilities. Creation of Off Airport locations for Air Cargo handling activities to reduce logistics cost and congestion during peak period at the Air Cargo Terminals at IGI Airport. Overall, businesses operating in the air freight industry would look to the Indian government to create a conducive environment for the growth of trade and investment, while also addressing any challenges or disruptions caused by changing trade policies.”