Category Archives: Aviation

Geodis will continue to offer its own-controlled freighter capacity until the end of the year. The freight forwarder’s leased Airbus A330-300P2F, operated by London Stansted-headquartered Titan Airways, is currently performing three rotations per week between the UK and China, carrying e-commerce goods. Titan is operating a round-trip cargo route from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwestern China to London Stansted Airport in the UK three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The aircraft will continue to be operated “at minimum until the end of 2024,” said Eric Martin-Neuville, vice president of freight forwarding, Geodis,” says reports. The aircraft was leased during the height of the pandemic, but the tough market conditions last year resulted in a lot of doubt about how the return of capacity and lower rates would affect those in the industry that had invested in own capacity, especially on long-term contracts.

Public-private partnerships are being encouraged to drive investments in cargo infrastructure, technology, and logistics solutions, says M Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight. “This collaborative approach is pushing for innovation, bringing in expertise, and ensuring that the industry is well-equipped to meet the increasing demand for air cargo services,” he adds. “India’s ambition of achieving 10 million metric tons of cargo throughput by 2030 is not just about quantity; it also underscores a commitment to sustainable practices. Green initiatives, such as the adoption of cleaner fuels, energy-efficient technologies, and waste reduction measures, are integral to the country’s vision. By prioritizing sustainability, India aims to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility in its maritime activities.”

Group Concorde has announced its recent partnership with Air Canada Cargo. The collaboration began on January 1, 2024. Starting the new year on a high note, Group Concorde will assume the pivotal role of the Indian sales representative for one the largest North American carriers with operations from India. Prithviraj Chug, CEO of Group Concorde, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “Air Canada Cargo is renowned for its expansive fleet, vast network, and class-apart service. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, as we look forward to extending our services. This collaboration will not only strengthen our position in the market but also enrich the logistical experience of our valued customers.” Group Concorde, Air Canada Cargo will continue to move freight on their flights from India as well as from Interline Partner network.

Block your calendar for Air Cargo India 2024 which is set to be held in Jio World Convention Center, Mumbai, from 14th till 16 February 2024. Organised by Messe Muenchen India, the show will leverage the platform’s inherent strengths of enabling networking, collaborations, knowledge exchange, sharing, and celebrating successes, this edition will once again unlock opportunities for the global air cargo community. Currently, the air cargo business in India is one of the most competitive and fastest-growing segments. Research & Markets estimates that by 2028 India’s air freight market will reach $17.22 billion, growing at a CAGR of 5.65%. Bolstered by a strategic focus on infrastructure development of airports, logistics parks, and road connectivity projects across the country, combined with the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme covering 15 manufacturing sectors, India will witness surging volumes of air cargo operations across the country.

Customs Brokers were encouraged to provide end-to-end solutions to the importers and exporters by providing the trade facilitation measures introduced by the customs department. Stress was also laid on sustainability at Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association’s (BCBA) 87th Founders’ Day. Surjit Bhujabal, Member Customs, CBIC New Delhi highlighted BCBA as a strong link between the members, Customs and other stakeholders. He appreciated the BCBA’s critical role in supporting in implementing CBLMS as well as imparting training and skill development. Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone I, P.K. Agrawal also complimented the Custom Brokers who have served the trade through decades and encouraged the next Gen to continue with the same zeal. He stressed the importance of sustainability as a responsibility towards the environment and future generations. Unmesh Wagh, Deputy Chairman, JNPA, gave an impactful speech pointing out to the Customs Brokers about their increasing importance in the future. He appreciated BCBA’s active involvement in imparting training and skill development and orientation for the upcoming Vadhvan Port and valued the partnership in facilitating trade friendly environment. Rajesh Pandey, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mum Zone II acknowledged the vital role played by BCBA in advocating Compliance and spreading awareness about the best trade practices amongst its’ members. He congratulated BCBA on this momentous day and requested the continued co-operation in actively highlighting the issues so it can be addressed to benefit all.

The leading Indian carrier, IndiGo has started scheduled freighter operations with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Fridays at GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) from 9 January onwards, said Linkedin Post. The flight route, DEL-HYD-BOM-SHJ-DEL-HYD, will be served by A321 Freighters, with a cargo capacity of 24 metric tons. This will further boost the exports of perishables to UAE and augment the Pharma shipments to the Middle East and beyond. GHIAL continues to stand out as a strong player in both domestic and international cargo markets, while being a leader in the Pharma shipments.

Tushar Jani, Group Chairman, Cargo Service Center shares, “In 2023 India has shown marginal growth, in the increase of air cargo throughput of 6.5 MMT, however, the growth has not been significant due to the recession in Europe and a slowdown in the United States. India’s major trade partners are the European Union and the United States. Indian imports from China have reduced by about 18%. India’s exports to Africa have reduced slightly. Overall, this has impacted the growth of air cargo throughput. The distribution between belly and freighter has now stabilized at 70% belly and 30 % freighter. The current trouble in the Red Sea will increase some air cargo volume however if the airline increases freight rate, then it will become counterproductive. The industry must work towards keeping a reasonable rate to achieve good growth and allow the supply chain to remain more productive and stable with air cargo compared to increased sea freight cost, provided air cargo remains affordable.”

Astral Aviation has appointed Euro Cargo Aviation as its GSA in Europe, US & UAE, and Take Off Aviation as its GSA in South Africa. The partnerships became effective on January 1 and will see Euro Cargo Aviation and Take Off Aviation marketing the cargo airline’s cargo capacity to potential clients, businesses, freight forwarders, and other relevant entities within the designated regions. Astral Aviation chief executive Sanjeev Gadhia said, “We look forward to our partnership with Euro Cargo Aviation who will act as an extension of our esteemed company, representing its cargo services, driving sales, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining customer satisfaction for its scheduled and charter network from Europe, USA & UAE, which will be directed towards Astral’s strategic hubs in Dubai and Nairobi while Take Off Aviation will promote Astral in South Africa.” Kenya-headquartered Astral Aviation has hubs in Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Liege.

The Indian government’s recent amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act, particularly focusing on hit-and-run cases, mark a significant shift in road safety and legal accountability. I aim to delve into the implications of these changes and explore a balanced approach. The amendment has significantly increased penalties for hit-and-run offenses. Drivers involved in such incidents now face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to Rs 7 lakh. While the intent is commendable—prioritizing safety and accountability—it’s crucial to examine the broader impact on the transportation sector. The transport community, especially truck and commercial vehicle drivers, have expressed serious concerns. The new law’s severity, they fear, could unfairly impact their livelihood. The industry’s response, including protests and strikes, underscores the need for a law that balances safety with fairness. A solution lies in finding middle ground. This necessitates dialogue among the government, transport unions, and industry stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered. Laws should not only enforce safety but also respect the realities of those on the road. At Softlink Global, our commitment to safety and compliance remains unwavering. We’re adapting to these changes through enhanced driver training and leveraging technology for compliance. Moreover, we believe technology can significantly contribute to safety and efficient compliance monitoring. A more balanced approach might include tiered penalties based on the severity of incidents, emphasizing driver education, and allowing a period for the industry to adapt to new norms. Policymaking should involve a collaborative effort, reflecting inputs from diverse stakeholders.” While road safety is paramount, the well-being of those who drive our economy cannot be overlooked. The goal should be to formulate laws that are just, enforceable, and effective in achieving …

Global air cargo is yet to see any significant uplift from the recent disruptions to container shipping in the Red Sea, according to the latest figures from WorldACD Market Data. “There is likely to be some conversion of sea freight to air freight in the coming weeks if the disruptions continue,” the update added. Preliminary figures for the final week of 2023 indicate that tonnages in December were five percent above their level in December 2022, with the final two weeks of the year also showing a five percent increase compared with last year, in line with the year-on-year (YoY) improvement recorded across last month. “Those figures confirm what WorldACD predicted last week that the fourth quarter (Q4) was the only quarter in 2023 showing positive growth (three percent) in tonnages compared to last year, following significant but gradually diminishing YoY declines in the first three quarters (Q1: -11 percent; Q2: -8 percent; Q3: -3 percent). Whereas the first half of 2023 saw tonnages decline nine percent YoY, the second half was characterised by an improving YoY performance for each consecutive month, closing with flat H2 compared to last year. This means that global tonnages for the full year 2023 ended up five percent lower than in 2022.”