Category Archives: Aviation

  Jivisha Joshi, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry shared her views on upcoming FIATA event in New Delhi, she said, “The FIATA Regional Asia Pacific meet in New Delhi will benefit industry leaders through Enhanced networking opportunities with key stakeholders across the region, Access to valuable industry insights and strategic discussions on emerging trends (logistics, sustainability practices, multimodal transportation), Promotion of regional collaboration to strengthen Asia-Pacific logistics networks, Focused dialogue on addressing local challenges and identifying actionable solutions.” She added, “Air Cargo in India will experience rapid growth, driven by sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural exports, Projected to reach 10 million metric tonnes by 2030, Supported by government initiatives emphasizing infrastructure development and enhanced regional connectivity (Krishi Udan Scheme, UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), Development of Air Freight Stations and Cargo Terminals,etc. This event will highlight the importance of air cargo in India’s logistics sector and provide a platform for industry leaders to discuss growth opportunities and challenges.”

Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) was asked to withdraw its discriminatory impact on cargo operations. “IATA is disappointed that MIAL has informed airlines of the unilateral cessation of freighters, and a permanent withdrawal of historic slots beginning next season,” John Middleton, Head, Worldwide Airport Slots, said in IATA’s official statement. He added this is not what one would expect of a major Indian airport in India and will cause long-lasting damage to its reputation and credibility. “IATA hopes Adani Airports is not using this situation to pressure airlines to move their operations to upcoming Navi Mumbai Airport. We fear this is an example of airport “capacity gaming,” which will harm aviation across India and beyond. We urge the central and state governments to ensure capacity reductions unilaterally mandated by the operator are disallowed as this would disrupt passenger and cargo operations at MIAL,” he added. Continuing, he said MIAL has failed to adhere to MoCA’s Guidelines for Slot Allocation, including its direction to preserve historic rights for future seasons. There are international norms to deal with temporary capacity reductions at airports, which calls for advance notice rather than the unilateral action. Developed by the Worldwide Airport Slot Board, they were agreed by the Airports Council International, IATA, and the Worldwide Airport Coordinators Group, Middleton said. So far there have been no details on how MIAL will manage the capacity reduction.

Ahmedabad Custom Brokers’ Association (ACBA) and Kaushalya – The Skill University (KSU) have signed an MoU to promote skill development in logistics sector. This collaboration aims to develop logistics-specific courses, foster youth entrepreneurship, and strengthen industry-academia linkages. Also, this partnership will enhance skill development in logistics and promote youth entrepreneurship. The MoU was signed in the presence of  Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of Industries, MSME, Labour & Employment and Kunvarjibhai Halpati, Minister of Tribal Development, Rural Development and Prof. (Dr.) S. P. Singh, DG Kaushalya – The Skill University. The MoU was signed by Rekha Nair, Registrar, KSU and Parag Baraiya President, ACBA. ACBA representatives Dr. Darshan Mashroo and Avdhesh Saraswat. A proud step forward for skill development and the logistics sector.

Turgut Erkeskin, President, FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in an exclusive interview shared, “The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and trade volatility have created a complex environment for all stakeholders, including freight forwarders, airlines, and airports. Challenges include ongoing strain on supply chains, with fluctuations in demand and regulatory changes causing unpredictability. For example, the shortage of semiconductor chips has disrupted the supply of electronic goods, and customs procedures in key markets like the EU have become more complex post-Brexit. Fuel costs are also a growing concern, with significant rises in the price of aviation fuel in the past year. Labour shortages in key areas such as cargo handling and customs processing continue to disrupt operations, and some airports have struggled with congested terminals and delays, particularly during peak times. Trade flows have become more volatile further adding uncertainty. However, there are significant opportunities ahead. The rise of e-commerce has increased demand for time-sensitive, high-value shipments. In the UK alone, online shopping saw a record 20 per cent growth during the pandemic, increasing reliance on air cargo for fast deliveries. Additionally, emerging technologies in automation, such as self-driving vehicles for ground handling and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered cargo tracking systems, can reduce operational costs and improve efficiency. The growing focus on sustainability also presents an opportunity, with companies like Lufthansa and KLM investing in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions, providing the chance for industry-wide improvements.” FIATA, jointly with ACAAI is all set to host its Regional Asia Pacific Meeting in New Delhi in May from 21-24.  

Reacting to the news of freighter operations getting shifted to the Navi Mumbai Airport, Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics said, “With CSMIA suspending freighter operations from August 16, 2025, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is preparing to handle the cargo shift. While processes are digital, cargo movement remains physical, requiring careful planning and adaptation. Initial hiccups are expected due to the new setup, unfamiliar teams, and evolving processes. Freight forwarders are concerned about additional costs, including staff commuting expenses. The freight forwarding and logistics industry remains cautiously optimistic but is preparing for early disruptions, higher logistics costs, and operational challenges. Despite short-term difficulties, the air cargo community believes NMIA will strengthen Mumbai’s future as a major cargo hub.”

Ahead of upcoming FIATA RAP Meet in New Delhi from May 21- 24, being jointly organised by FIATA and ACAAI, J Krishnan, Board of Advisor, ACAAI said “The dynamics of world trade is facing a tectonic shift. APAC is the inflection point and the timing of this event in India cannot be at a more opportune moment. Exchanging new avenues to ensure the adverse effects of shifting trade imbalances amongst the key supply chain managers of this region is a “God send” for renewing and readjusting the existing partnerships and forging new alliances for the Indian supply chain. It is the logistics service providers of the 21st century who proactively interact with the export and import trade offering cost-effective-solutions and alternate routing.  Today’s India is a serious player in world trade arena.”

Rajen Bhatia, MD, Tulsidas Khimji said, “With Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) temporarily suspending freighter operations due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the spotlight now shifts to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The pressing question: Is NMIA prepared to take on the cargo baton? This transition is more than a simple logistical rerouting—it is a live stress test of NMIA’s readiness to manage large-scale freighter operations. While the airport is being developed with world-class infrastructure, it has yet to demonstrate its capabilities under real-time operating conditions. Critical elements like efficient cargo handling, streamlined customs clearance, and strong road connectivity will be essential to maintain business continuity during this period. To complicate matters, the decision to shift operations by mid-August 2025 appears to have been made without full stakeholder consultation. This abrupt timeline risks disrupting the smooth flow of cargo and may leave many stakeholders underprepared. Current Readiness and Gaps CSMIA currently handles four to five freighter flights daily. Although NMIA’s runway and taxiways are reportedly ready, the cargo-specific infrastructure is still under development. For NMIA to function as a viable cargo hub, the following must be fully operational: Dedicated areas for cargo handling, storage, and processing Specialized zones for hazardous and perishable goods Customs clearance including customs office / staff and inspection facilities Office space for cargo agents, freight forwarders, customs brokers Key Concerns and Potential Disruptions The logistics industry is preparing for a series of short-term challenges that may arise from this sudden transition: Transit Delays: Unfamiliarity with new routes and procedures could result in delayed shipments Higher Logistics Costs: Longer lead times and last-mile delivery changes may increase operational expenses Teething Issues: Handlers, transporters, and support staff will need time to adapt to the new …

Debajyoti Bagchi, Vice President – Business Development, TT Group said, “While the transition of freighter operation from CSMIA to NMIA may bring initial teething issues effective from Aug 16, 2025, it is typical with any major operational shift and such challenges are expected to stabilise over time. Change is inevitable, but adapting to it requires time and collaboration. A similar experience was observed during the transition of airports in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The shift from HAL to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and from Begumpet to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, initially posed challenges. However, those decisions have proven to be transformative, ushering in world-class airport & cargo infrastructure and garnering international recognition, including multiple Skytrax awards. For decades, Mumbai’s air cargo operations have grappled with infrastructure constraints, even as cargo stakeholders experienced exponential grown. This growth has been managed within the same limited space, making the shift to NMIA a timely and much-needed welcome change. The new integrated cargo terminal is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency while targeting 3.25 million metric tons during its final phase, including seven code F stands, automation, dedicated ODC corridor resulting faster acceptance, ample equipment to do build-up, and dispatch processes to apron side. Moreover, NMIA’s strategic location, with direct connectivity to major highways, eliminates the need for cargo trucks to enter the city and deal with ‘no-entry’ restrictions—resulting in smoother, more predictable logistics with faster handover timing. It is imperative for NMIA to focus and get all statutory & regulatory validations done such as EU-RA3, TSA, ACC3, GSDP-WHO, ISAGO including EDI to make the ball rolling faster before the official inauguration. While customers and stakeholders will take time …

Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo said, “As per reports, NMIA proposes to implement a state-of-the-art Cargo Management System with real time tracking, transparency and automated truck slot management process to avoid congestion and to further reduce dwell time for vehicles apart from introducing paperless transactions. These moves undoubtedly are welcome steps to facilitate cargo movement from to-be-commissioned NMIA. However, as per trade whispers, the infrastructural facilities there are yet to get fully operational and hence there remain apprehensions among the trade whether seamless functions relating to freighter operations effective August 16 2025 would actually be possible. It would have been desirable to conduct a trial run of the freighters well before to identify the emerging bottlenecks with a view to have their corrections before the effective date of full-fledged freight operations.

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “With freighter operations shifting to NMIA during CSMIA’s upgrade, a smooth transition is critical. While NMIA offers modern infrastructure, it must ensure dedicated facilities for forwarders—currently concentrated around CSMIA—for efficient handling and processing. Proximity to cargo terminals is vital for seamless movement. Forwarders are preparing for the shift, but coordinated efforts and infrastructure support near NMIA are essential to minimize disruption and unlock long-term gains for Mumbai’s air cargo ecosystem.”