Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE), a state govt undertaking has submitted a proposal to industries department for building an integrated logistics hub at Balaramapuram. The initiative aligns with development plans associated with Vizhinjam International Seaport, said official reports. KSIE identified a land parcel of around 10-15 acres at Kattachalkuzhi, currently under the possession of Coconut Research Institute of Kerala Agricultural University. As the land belongs to the university, its consent is required before taking any further steps. Govt’s decision on it is expected soon, the online reports stated.

Etihad Airways and SF Airlines have signed a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) to enhance their cargo operations, expand network capacity and offer customers greater flexibility and service options. The agreement was signed today by Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways and Li Sheng, Vice President of SF Group and Chairman of SF Airlines. Through the agreement, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will collaborate on a metal-neutral basis to jointly market and integrate their airfreight services. The partnership is designed to foster incremental growth and create a seamless, shared network that offers customers an expanded range of destinations, increased cargo capacity and enhanced service efficiency. As part of the JBA, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will enhance customer choice by expanding network connectivity and capacity across key trade lanes. Both carriers will also invest in improving service quality and operational efficiency, ensuring a consistently elevated customer experience. The partnership enables coordinated pricing strategies and alignment of service standards, delivering a streamlined and competitive offering. Additionally, the collaboration will support the strategic allocation of routes, sales efforts and client portfolios, allowing for joint decision-making and driving operational synergies. With the growth of cross-border e-commerce, time-sensitive shipments and specialised logistics services, the partnership between Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will offer greater flexibility and tailored solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The joint business will focus on key cargo product verticals, including Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech and PharmaLife solutions, which support the movement of high-value electronics, sensitive equipment and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical goods. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “This business agreement marks an important step in Etihad’s strategy to strengthen global connectivity and deliver greater value to our customers. By working …

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) is to offer a more personalised and responsive service for its customers with the launch of CRM360, a global artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform codeveloped with customer relationship management (CRM) software company Salesforce. This next-generation solution is designed to ensure “consistent, efficient and customised support” throughout a customer experience, the Franco-Dutch cargo carrier said. AFKLMP Cargo is investing in various AI-enabled tools – such as chat, voice and priority models – to provide customer service teams with what it described as “cutting-edge tools, insight and expertise”.

Emirates SkyCargo is planning to add new connections between European destinations and the Middle and Far East. It plans to add two further weekly charter freighter services between Milan, Italy, and Southeast China, via Dubai, from the third quarter of this year.  It expects fashion goods and pharmaceuticals, as well as general cargo, to be carried on the freighters. Elsewhere, the current weekly freighter service connecting Dubai World Central (DWC) airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands and Zaragoza Airport in Spain will now also stop in Beirut, Lebanon, before its return to Dubai. General cargo and pharmaceuticals are expected to make up much of the airfreight flown into Beirut on the service out of Maastricht Aachen, while Zaragoza handles significant volumes of fashion goods and apparel, which can now be flown directly to Beirut.

Menzies Aviation is all set to acquire Spirit Cargo Handling, an airfreight handler owned by SAS Ground Handling Norway. The acquisition represents the company’s first air cargo operation and warehouse in Norway and will boost Menzies’ overall cargo handling capacity by 150,000 tonnes a year. Much of the cargo handled by Spirit consists of high-demand products like salmon, as well as general cargo, and the work includes handling freighter services. As part of the deal, Menzies will resume responsibility for the Spirit cargo warehouse at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, and for handling existing freighter operations at the airport. Once the deal is completed, Spirit cargo operations will be rebranded as Menzies Aviation.

Today, 3.5 million metric tons of goods are transported by air cargo in India. By the end of this decade, this number will reach 10 million metric tons,” said PM Narendra Modi while addressing the gathering at ongoing IATA’s Annual General Meeting in New Delhi. “These are not just numbers. This is a glimpse of India’s new potential. India is working on a futuristic roadmap to maximize its potential. We are investing in a world-class airport infrastructure. As Mr. Naidu said, by 2014, India had 74 operational airports. Today, this number has increased to 162. Indian carriers have ordered more than 2,000 new aircraft. And this is just the beginning. India’s aviation sector is at a take-off point. It has to make the longest and highest flight. And this flight will not only cross global borders, but will also take the world in the direction of sustainability, green mobility, and equitable access. Friends, the handling capacity of our airports has reached 500 million passengers every year. India is one of the few countries in the world that is setting new standards for user experience through technology. We are focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. We are moving towards sustainable aviation fuels. We are investing in green technologies. We are reducing carbon footprint. We are ensuring the security of progress and the planet.”  

Etihad Cargo has launched SmartTrack, a game-changing premium service that gives customers real-time access to shipment location and condition data, raising the bar for transparency in global air freight. Unveiled at Air Cargo Europe 2025 in Munich, SmartTrack positions Etihad Cargo as the first carrier globally to implement this type of advanced smart tracking solution. Developed in partnership with Tag-N-Trac, SmartTrack leverages cutting-edge smart label technology to deliver comprehensive end-to-end shipment monitoring. The label is equipped with cellular, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, capturing real-time data on exact location, temperature and humidity, shock, tilt and light exposure. This makes SmartTrack the ideal solution for mission-critical and condition-sensitive cargo, including pharmaceuticals, electronics and high-value goods. SmartTrack is designed with a focus on both efficiency and sustainability. The smart label, which can remain active for up to 30 days, features minimal packaging and eliminates the need for return logistics.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, while speaking at the ongoing IATA AGM in New Delhi said, “On the air cargo side, the focus is ONE Record. For too long, aircraft have flown faster than the documentation that accompanies shipments—held back by fragmented systems, outdated processes, and limited data visibility. The current system won’t meet anyone’s expectations as customs requirements evolve and e-commerce volumes surge. The ONE Record global data-sharing standard will be the single accurate and real time source of truth for the entire value chain that built it together. The global rollout starts in January 2026, but to gain the full benefits we’ll be counting on two things: The industry stakeholders who built ONE Record to use it, and Governments to accept ONE Record data in their facilitation processes In a time of growing trade complexity, industry alignment and regulatory support is more critical than ever. Better compliance, cost savings and faster processing are substantial incentives for everyone to make ONE Record work. ”

Air India recorded 15 per cent increase in exports of mangoes this season. Buoyed by increased cargo capacity, in April the airline shipped 1,000 tonnes of mangoes and the volume in May is higher than the previous month, an airline spokesperson said in reports. The UK, the US, UAE, Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands are the main export destinations. The top varieties exported include Alphonso, Safeda (Banganpalli) and Dussehri, added reports. The official spokesperson said, “In comparison to April 2024, we carried nearly 15 per cent more volume in April 2025. The volume of mangoes transported thus far in May is even higher than the last month, as we moved ahead into the mango season, though with the rains arriving early this year in many parts of the country, the volumes may reduce in the month of June.” Perishables account for around 22 per cent of Air India’s international cargo revenue.    

IndiGo has signed MoU with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) as part of the airline’s sustained commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities at the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport). Under the agreement, BIAL will allocate around 31 acres of land to IndiGo for development of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure to support the airline’s expanding fleet. Thestate–of–the–art facility will be equipped to handle both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, further strengthening IndiGo’s maintenance capabilities and operational presence at the Bengaluru Airport. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said: “Developing broad IndiGo MRO capabilities marks as significant and very strategic step for IndiGo. Partnering with BIAL underlines our shared commitment to drive long-term growth of the aviation ecosystem in Bengaluru and cement its status as, amongst the best and world-class international hubs in India. Together with BIAL, we are further shaping the future of Indian aviation by focusing on innovation, growth and global connectivity that will define India’s leadership in the skies. We see this collaboration as a pivotal step towards building a significant global presence for IndiGo, as well as for India.” Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) said: “We are delighted that India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has chosen Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport), to set up its latest MRO facility and enhance its operations. We have had a very successful, long-term relationship with IndiGo, and this collaboration further strengthens our association with the airline. This is a strong validation of the growth potential of BLR Airport and the City of Bengaluru as a premier aviation hub. The partnership reinforces our commitment to developing world-class aviation infrastructure and enhancing BLR Airport’s role as India’s premier …