Category Archives: Aviation

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is building upon its cooperation with Pledge, a carbon emissions measurement and offsetting platform for freight forwarders, by allowing visitors to the trade association’s website direct access to Pledge’s Freight Emissions Calculator. BIFA announced its cooperation with Pledge in January this year and this has seen the latter provide BIFA with some important resources that will support members in their journey to more environmentally sustainable operations. Members can try Pledge’s Freight Emissions Calculator via the BIFA website for a capped number of uses, or sign up to a 14-day free trial of the full platform to explore how it can help meet emissions regulations, set emissions targets, and determine reduction strategies. To get started, users enter the origin, destination, shipment weight, and mode of transport of a shipment, which then generates a Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) accredited and ISO:14083-aligned emissions calculation.

Carico Systems was honoured with ‘Emerging Technology Service Provider’ award at recently concluded India Cargo Awards 2023 in New Delhi. Piyush Srivastava, IES, Senior Economic Advisor graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Known as the “Oscars of the Cargo Industry,” the India Cargo Awards 2023 hosted by Cargo Talk (DDP Group Publication) serves as an all-India platform created with a vision to recognise excellence in the Cargo-Freight-Logistics Industry across various domains, including Rail, Road, Air, Sea, Allied Services, Warehousing, Technology, 3rd Party Logistics, and more. Our world-class awards ceremonies are known for their formal Black-Tie affair, filled with glitz and glamour, attended by the most influential personalities in the Cargo Industry.

As the mango season has drawn to a close, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB/BLR Airport) has recorded a remarkable surge in mango exports setting a new benchmark when compared to the previous year. Demonstrating a consistent upward trend in exports, BLR Airport has achieved an impressive 124% growth in mango exports for this season compared to the previous year, establishing a three-year tonnage record. In 2023, BLR Airport processed an export of 6,84,648 kgs of mangoes, showcasing a significant rise from the 3,05,521 kgs exported in the previous year. Furthermore, this season’s exports saw an impressive 86% increase in the number of pieces, with approximately 17 lakh pieces of mangoes being exported. BLR Airport’s expansive export network spans more than 60 international destinations. Particularly noteworthy is the thriving export of mangoes to the United States this year, where prominent metropolitan regions such as Dallas Fort Worth, Washington D.C., and San Francisco have played a pivotal role in fostering this growth. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) remarked, “BLR Airport has emerged as a driving force in facilitating perishable exports from India. With substantial volume shares across Indian airports, we take pride in our role in enhancing the global reach of South India’s mangoes. Our unwavering commitment to streamlined cool-port export operations underscores BLR Airport’s significance as a premier gateway connecting the world to the rich produce of our region.” As BLR Airport continues to strengthen its cargo operations, it remains dedicated to its vital role as a bridge between Indian producers and global markets. This commitment significantly contributes to the growth of India’s agricultural and export sectors, fostering economic resilience and expanding the …

For cargo operations, to and from the country, India needs more narrow-body freighters and increased capacity to ferry cargo from the nearby countries like Malaysia, China, Vietnam and UAE, as there’s lot of cargo coming in and going out from these nations, shares Yashpal Sharma, MD Skyways Group and President ACFI in an exclusive chat. “Therefore, narrow body freighters will probably be able to add more agility, speed, and frequencies to the Indian consumers. This will also help in improving turnaround time. E-commerce segment will grow and benefit from better frequencies of freighters. While the national and international carriers that are operating here, can look at bringing in wide-body carriers, duo to long hauls and connect Indian airports with some of the major airports across the world. But we need more capacity added within the country, we need more narrow body freighters to facilitate the movement of e-commerce,” he adds.

Manohar International Airport (MoPA) has received the green nod to become operational this week and start international cargo operations, shared Thakur Purushottam Singh, Business Head Cargo and Logistics, GMR Goa Int’l Airport. The airport will soon connect with Gatwik Airport, London, he added. “It is brought to the notice of all exporters, importers, passengers, Customs House Agents, Custodians, Banks, Trade and all concerned that the computerized processing of Shipping Bills/Bills of Entry under the Indian Customs EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) System (hereinafter referred to as “ICES 1.5”) will commence from September 05, 2023 at Air Cargo Complex (INGOX4), Manohar International Airport, Mopa, Goa. The airport has been notified for the purpose of Unloading of imported goods and loading of export goods or any class of such goods under Section 7 of the Customs Act, 1962 vide Notification No. 17/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 27.03.2023 issued by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs,” said the statement.

Avianca Cargo has achieved IATA Live Animals certification to add to its existing three CEIV accreditations. The carrier said that by achieving CEIV Live Animals – in addition to Fresh, Phrama and Lithium Batteries – it had become the first airline in the Americas to achieve all four of the certifications. Leonel Ortiz, transformation, and innovation director at Avianca Cargo, said: “It is a pride to be able to obtain, in a record time of three months, a fourth IATA seal under the diligence of safe and responsible transportation of live animals, thanks to infrastructure improvements at the Miami station and the availability of our network for transportation. “We will continue working with motivation and commitment to remain a benchmark of quality and the best partner for our customers.” The airline said that to achieve the certification, the protocols necessary for the transport of animals have been met by each participant in the Avianca Cargo supply chain to “ensure the safety and welfare of animals such as dogs, cats, chickens, horses, among others, during air transport”.

Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) launched its Kerala Chapter under the chairmanship of Manoj P Joseph, Cargo In-charge, Cochin International Airport. With an experience of over two decades under his belt, he is a veteran in the airport and aviation sector. Kerala Chapter Board members will be selected by the ACFI Governing Board and Secretariat in due course of time to boost air cargo trade in the region, advocate regulatory changes with authorities, upskilling by conducting trainings, events, and workshops, and invite collaboration with fellow trade bodies to steer the sector in Kerala and at national level. The chapter’s aim is to align itself with ACFI Head Office and drive common goals of promoting the industry to bring it on par with the best global air cargo ecosystems. The four airports covered under the Kerala chapter are: Cochin International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Calicut International Airport, and Kannur International Airport. The occasion saw participation from over 100 delegates of air cargo and aviation industry, some ACFI Governing Board Members and senior leaders from various trade associations, including Steamer Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce, FICCI, ACAAI, AMTOI, FFFAI and CCBA. S Suhas IAS, MD, Cochin International Airport was the event’s chief guest and Yashpal Sharma, President, ACFI and Managing Director, Skyways Group presided over. Sanjiv Edward, VP, ACFI and CEO, Cargo & Logistics, GMR Group, Satish Lakkaraju, Chairman, Event Management Task Pillar, ACFI, and Global Head, Air Freight & Pharma, WIZ Freight, and Kamesh Peri, Governing Board Member, ACFI, and CEO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management, were also present. Joseph said, “As the Chairman, I must maintain close ties with every Task Force Pillar under the ACFI umbrella. This will ensure …

Gati has partnered with Tech Mahindra to develop Gati Enterprise Management System (GEMS) 2.0 to offer an enhanced customer experience and a modern tech-driven interface while increasing efficiency and lowering costs. The software application leverages Tech Mahindra’s expertise and focuses on cloud-native applications, reiterating the organisation’s commitment and investment towards next-generation digital transformation and Cloud initiatives. The partnership is focused on replacing Gati’s legacy application with a digital, scalable, and more agile cloud-based application for operational excellence and the highest level of customer experience. Vivek Agarwal, President, APJI (Enterprise), Corporate Development, Tech Mahindra, said, “The strategic deployment of new-age, data-driven technologies is at the core of revolutionizing operational efficiency and customer engagement in the logistics and supply chain industry. Our partnership with Gati in designing and developing GEMS 2.0 will help the organization boost productivity, unlock new business opportunities, scale performance and lead the tech-led transformation narrative in the express logistics segment.”

Qatar Airways Cargo announced the launch of its product SecureLift under its VISION 2027 and Next Generation strategy. SecureLift marks a significant milestone for Qatar Airways Cargo, as it allocates dedicated resources to cater to the specialised needs of valuable and vulnerable shipments, while maintaining an enhanced standard of security and vigilance. Products having high declared value like precious metals, stones, gold bullions, banknotes, jewellery or watches would fall under the Valuable category while commodities that carry a risk of pilferage like high value electronics and newly launched products would fall under the Vulnerable category. Key features include high loading priority, close monitoring of shipments, inclusion of approved data loggers and shipment escorts, in addition to secure handling, transportation and storage of the product. Valuable shipments would also be moved in specialised containers and boxes for protection of the product, and kept in the strong-room with restricted access providing added security. The temperature inside the strong-room is maintained between 20°C – 25°C. The expert SecureLift team is well trained and plays a pivotal role by adhering to strict security protocols at every stage of the journey.

Focusing on the need for highly advanced cold chain infra and facilities, Satish Lakkaraju, Global Head – Air Freight and Pharma at WIZ Radar Ventures says, “The surge in online grocery, processed foods, and pharmaceuticals sales has opened up ample opportunities for developers and third-party logistics players to develop multi-purpose cold chain facilities in India. The need for an efficient cold chain is now more than ever.” Talking about the theme of their upcoming Cold Chain Unbroken (CCUB) 2023 event in Bangalore titled, “Building a Resilient Cold Chain Ecosystem” says, the event will focus on the importance of maintaining an unbroken cold chain for the safe and efficient transportation of temperature-sensitive products. India’s cold chain sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% during 2021-2023, driven by growth in online grocery, pharmaceutical sales, and the massive Covid-19 vaccination drive that was going on in the country. We have also first hand witnessed the issues that the people on ground are facing. What better way than to address and discuss them with the decision makers and stakeholders right from the government to packaging and trucking segments.”