Category Archives: Aviation

The DP World operated International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) MoU with the Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) to enhance the terminal’s cargo handling infra. Under the pact, both parties will collaborate to develop advanced cargo handling facilities at Cochin Port, aligned with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. This includes enhancing marine infrastructure to support future vessel requirements at DP World’s Terminal at Cochin, with support from the Union government.

Allcargo Logistics announced that its Composite Scheme of Arrangement involving the demerger of its International Supply Chain (ISC) business and the merger of its Domestic Supply Chain business has become effective from 1 November. The scheme received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, through an order dated 10 October. As part of this restructuring, Allcargo Logistics has demerged its ISC business into a newly incorporated entity Allcargo Global. Following the demerger, the domestic express distribution and consultative logistics businesses will be merged into the resulting Allcargo Logistics, aligning operations for enhanced synergy and value creation.

DTDC Express launched its all-women-operated dark store in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The new facility spans 700 sqft. It is entirely staffed and managed by women who oversee a range of functions, including warehouse operations, last-mile delivery, cash-on-delivery collections, and client servicing. Scalable and designed to fulfil a variety of client-specific needs from deliveries within two to six hours, the Indore Dark Store is part of DTDC’s rapid commerce service, known as Raftaar. It combines advanced warehouse management technology with a highly trained all-women workforce. Prior to launch, the team underwent comprehensive training on DTDC’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), Last-Mile Delivery App, and rapid commerce protocols, ensuring they are equipped to deliver the speed and precision that modern e-commerce demands.

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Public–private collaboration is combining the public sector’s regulatory authority with the private sector’s finances, innovation and operational expertise which may lead to effective partnerships yielding the fruitful outcomes such as developing the infrastructures to meet the commercial needs to reduce bottlenecks with lower costs based on the inputs from logistics providers, freight forwarders, regulatory authorities and the carriers.”  

Vikram Kumar, VP, ACAAI said, “Reducing trade friction and enhancing logistics efficiency demand robust public–private collaboration focused on digital, infrastructural, and policy alignment. Government agencies and industry players must jointly advance digital integration through initiatives like the National Logistics Portal (NLP), Paperless Customs, and single-window clearance systems to streamline cargo movement. Public investment should prioritise multimodal and air cargo transshipment hubs at key airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, and upcoming locations like Hyderabad and Bengaluru— allowing India to serve as a regional trade gateway. Private players can contribute expertise in automation, cold-chain development, and digital freight management to optimise these hubs. Regular policy–industry dialogues are essential to harmonise customs procedures, international regulations, taxation and sustainability goals. Coupled with skill development programs and performance-linked incentives, such coordinated action can transform India’s logistics ecosystem into a digitally connected, efficient, and globally competitive transshipment hub.”

C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight India said, “Reducing trade friction and enhancing logistics efficiency demand a strong, structured public–private collaboration built on trust, transparency, and shared goals. Governments must work closely with industry stakeholders to streamline customs procedures, harmonise regulatory frameworks, and promote paperless trade through digital integration. Public agencies can support infrastructure modernisation—developing multimodal logistics parks, air cargo hubs, and efficient last-mile connectivity—while private players contribute through technology, innovation, and operational expertise. Joint initiatives in data sharing, single-window clearance systems, and predictive analytics can significantly cut delays and costs. Equally important is creating policy forums and advisory councils where industry associations like ACAAI can represent the voice of the trade community, ensuring policies are practical and forward-looking. A well-coordinated public–private partnership can thus transform the logistics ecosystem into one that is more transparent, efficient, and resilient, enabling seamless global trade despite rising barriers.”      

Amit Maheshwari, Founder and CEO, Softlink Global said, “Public–private collaboration should go beyond policy dialogue — it must focus on creating shared digital infrastructure for customs, ports, and airports; real-time data exchange frameworks between trade systems and government platforms; and co-development of standards for security filings, and sustainability reporting. When regulators and industry co-create technology and trust, trade becomes not just connected — but truly unconstrained.”    

EMBALL’ISO India Packaging was honoured with the Reverse Logistics Champion for Sustainability award at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards in New Delhi. The recognition highlights the company’s commitment to promoting circular economy practices and advancing sustainable cold chain logistics through innovative, reusable packaging solutions.

Sanjiv Edward, CEO – Cargo and Logistics, GMR Airports said, “The vision of creating the Cargo City at Delhi International Airport emanates from a larger vision of making Delhi a global Airport hub, with the passenger and cargo segments complementing each other. This thought is also aligned with the overarching vision of the Government of India to create several Airport Hubs in the country. When we talk of creating a Cargo Hub, it needs supporting infrastructure of Tier 1 i.e. Cargo Terminals and Tier 2 i.e. 3PL players with a possible extension to Tier 3 which would be Special Economic Zones. Delhi Airport has already taken steps to build Tier 1 capacity from 0.3 MMT to 1.8 MMT Per Annum and Tier 2 capacity from zero to 0.5 Mn sq. ft. and now we are working towards developing an additional combined capacity of over 1.5 Mn sq. ft. over Tier 2 and proposed Tier 3 facilities. This integrated tier 1, 2 and 3 will then provide a comprehensive infrastructure solution for the cargo arriving at Delhi Airport and will help Delhi establish itself as a global aviation hub. With this thought we are building the Cargo City.  

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released global air cargo markets data for September 2025, showing total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.9 per cent compared to September 2024 levels (over 3.2 per cent for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.0 per cent compared to September 2024 (+4.4 per cent for international operations). “Air cargo demand grew 2.9 per cent year-on-year in September, marking the seventh consecutive month of overall growth. Buried in that growth is a significant alteration of trade patterns as US tariff policies, including the ending of de minimis exemptions, kick in. On one side of the equation, a decline in North America-Asia demand has set in over the last five months. But this has been more than compensated for with strong growth within Asia and on routes linking Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. While many had feared an unwinding of global trade, we are instead seeing air cargo adapting successfully to serve shifting market demands,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.