Category Archives: Aviation

Japanese carrier ANA Cargo (the freight arm of All Nippon Airways) has begun offering its new PRIO FRESH service for international perishable airfreight transport on flights from Haneda, Narita, Kansai, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Chitose airports. PRIO FRESH is part of the airline’s PRIO portfolio of value-added services for international cargo. Customers could already opt for thermal blankets to protect cargo (excluding shipments travelling on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 flights) from high ambient temperatures such as those that occur on a sunny ramp. Now, ANA customers can also book temperature-controlled trucks on domestic road feeder services. In addition, the option of traceability during transit on some routes (Haneda–Hong Kong and Singapore) is now available under the new PRIO FRESH banner, through the provision of timestamp information for each handover point on the route. In July this year, ANA became the first Japanese airline to receive IATA CEIV Fresh certification. The airline was awarded CEIV Pharma certification in 2017.

Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd (CCPL) observed the Aviation Security Culture week (31st July to 5th August 2023), in compliance with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines. The event was organized at Continental Air Freight Station, newly established at Kapashera, Delhi, near IGI Airport, on 3rd August 2023. CCPL organized various activities to raise awareness among its officials about the security procedures concerning cargo and personnel movement, as well as the access control process. During the event, the CCPL staff had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the security equipment used at the Continental Air Freight Station. This awareness program aimed to enhance the employees’ understanding of the critical role security plays in the aviation and logistics industry. The event commenced with an inauguration by Shri Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director – Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd. A solemn pledge-taking ceremony followed, affirming the commitment of all participants to prioritize and uphold aviation security. In his address, Shri Vaibhav Vohra emphasized the paramount importance of security in the current scenario, emphasizing its significance for both the Civil Aviation and Logistics sectors. By celebrating the Aviation Security Culture week, Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd demonstrated its unwavering dedication in maintaining the highest standards of security and safety in its operations, ensuring a trustworthy and reliable service for its clientele, thereby reinforcing its position as a responsible and reliable logistics company.

NICDC Logistics Data Services (NLDS) was honored with ‘Best Digital Initiative Logistics – ULIP’ award at the recently held India Cargo Awards in New Delhi. Piyush Srivastava, IES, Senior Economic Advisor, MOCA presented the award. 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.

MSC has acquired a majority stake in Milan-based airfreight carrier AlisCargo Airlines. The acquisition follows MSC’s confirmation last month that it was in talks with the cargo airline, as it continues to develop its air cargo operations. This deal initiates a 100% takeover set to take place at the beginning of 2024, when AlisCargo will restart operations with the delivery of a Boeing 777 freighter, says release. The carrier is the only Italian airline dedicated entirely to the intercontinental transport of goods; it received its AOC in July 2021 and its first commercial flight took place between Milan Malpensa and Jinan on August 18, utilising a B777-200 in a preighter configuration. Aliscargo took delivery of three further B777-200 preighter aircraft with the aim of expanding its operations – but preighter operations became less and less viable after the pandemic, and the airline’s operating licence was suspended earlier this year.

Vietnam Logistics Business Association delegation, currently on a four-day visit to India, has expressed interest in investing in the Multimodal Logistics Hub (MMLH) and Multimodal Transport Hub (MMTH) at IITGNL at Greater Noida in western Uttar Pradesh, said reports. The Integrated Industrial Township Project has a development area of 747.5 acres that has been envisaged to be sustainable, smart and safe. Encompassing a flagship project of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the township has been designed with world-class standards and envisioned as a sustainable and smart community. The Integrated Industrial Township Project Greater Noida Limited (IITGNL) is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the project, reports further added.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (also known as KIAB/BLR Airport), has witnessed growth in the export of perishable cargo, handling a record tonnage of 53,751 metric tonnes (MT) in financial year 2022-2023 (FY23). This represents a 3% increase compared to the previous year (FY22) when the Airport handled 52,366MT of perishable cargo. BLR Airport has maintained its dominant position in the export of perishable goods, with 27% share in total cargo volumes across the Indian air cargo market and 41% share within airports in southern India. Among perishable goods, BLR Airport led in the export of poultry and floriculture/flowers in India with a 9% increase compared to the previous year and a notable export of 39,865MT and 1,877MT respectively. Additionally, fresh vegetables and fresh fruits were among the top commodities exported by BLR Cargo. Fresh mangoes, during the same period, witnessed a 10% surge in export volume. Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Maldives, UAE, Kuwait, and the UK emerged as the top destinations for international exports, in FY23. The volume of perishable goods transported to Maldives and Kuwait rebounded to pre-COVID levels in FY23 and experienced a 50% growth compared to the previous year. The export of perishable goods to the United States has also tripled compared to FY22. Last year, the perishable cargo from BLR Airport was connected to more than 60 international destinations. Currently, BLR Cargo operates to 25 international destinations and 75 destinations in India, with a total of 13 cargo freighters. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Bangalore International Airport Ltd said, “BLR Airport has played a pivotal role as one of India’s leading air cargo EXIM contributors, through its exceptional volume shares across both Indian and …

Mumbai Cargo Service Center Cold Chain Solutions (MCSCCCSPL) was felicitated with ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator Cold Chain’ award at the recently held India Cargo Awards 2023 in New Delhi. Piyush Srivastava, IES, Senior Economic Advisor graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. MCSCCCSPL being the largest pharma air cargo handling company in India has a state-of-the-art facility in the Mumbai Air Cargo Complex. The Pharma Excellence Center is spread over 4000 sq.mt Which has regular temperature mapping across the terminal. The facility has different temperature zones mainly +15 to +25 and +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. There’s a separate zone for dangerous goods which electronically monitors the hot and cold spots in our 4000Sq.ft warehouse.

Skyports Drone Services has introduced Speedbird Aero as a new aircraft partner for the Orkney I-Port operation, a drone delivery initiative launched in collaboration with Royal Mail, Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority, and Loganair. The Brazilian drone manufacturer will provide its DLV-2 aircraft for Skyports Drone Services’ global delivery and logistics projects, starting with three months of inter-island delivery flights for Royal Mail for the Orkney I-Port project. The electric multirotor DLV-2 drone, which has a payload capacity of six kilogrammes and a range of up to 16 kilometers, was selected as vehicle of choice for the Orkney I-Port project due to its large payload volume, which makes it well suited to carrying cargo such as Royal Mail parcels. First deliveries were completed in July this year and will continue until October. The aircraft is also equipped with a parachute.

Shanghai-headquartered express delivery company YTO Express is to launch three weekly Boeing 767-300 freighter flights linking Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi in India. According to reports, each round trip will carry cargo including electronic products, automotive parts, textiles and machinery. The flights are expected to add about 8,000 tonnes of freight to the southern China gateway’s annual international cargo throughput. Report noted that airfreight routes between China and South Asia usually begin in cities such as Kunming and Nanning.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry organized a business meet with the delegation from Vietnam to identify areas of mutual collaboration and investment opportunities across various NICDC industrial parks, direct shipping and warehousing, etc., sectors in the country. The meeting was held on 1 August 2023 at Vanijya Bhawan. Major Logistics players from Vietnam, part of this delegation, showcased their profiles/business during the meeting, highlighting their plans for investment in India and expansion plans with the cooperation of Govt of India. The welcome address was given by Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary (Logistics) – DPIIT followed by a key note address by Som Prakash , IAS(Retd) ,Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. Vipin Vohra, Chairman-Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd was nominated by Logistics Committee – FICCI to be the part of the Indian delegation at the said meeting. Shri Vipin Vohra showcased the profile of Continental Carriers Group and India’s 1st Air Freight Station, established by Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd as the major achievement of Indian Logistics sector in recent times. The Vietnam delegation appreciated the establishment of India’s 1st Green field Air freight Station at Delhi, which has put Indian Logistics sector on Global map with this achievement.