Category Archives: Aviation

With trade wars and geopolitical tensions affecting traditional trade routes like those between the US and China, the air cargo industry has diversified its operations to new and alternative regions for instance, cargo flows to emerging markets in Africa and South America, have increased,” said Delhi International Airport’s official spokesperson.  He added, “Airlines have had to re-route flights to avoid regions affected by geopolitical tensions, such as the Middle East. This has resulted in the search for more stable and predictable corridors, which may require longer or less direct flights, but ultimately ensure the continuity of services. Cargo flow through Indian airports have improved as it was found to be a more stable route. In response to tariffs and geopolitical tensions, many companies have sought to shorten supply chains by nearshoring production closer to end markets. For instance, companies have increasingly moved manufacturing from China to countries like Vietnam, India, and even Mexico, which has increased demand for air cargo services to these regions.”

Our ministry’s goal is to transform India Post into India’s leading logistics organisation, serving both MSMEs and the largest e-commerce players, said, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications, recently while addressing the Head of Circles Conclave in Mumbai. Scindia noted that India Post had laid the foundation for the country’s communication system and is now undergoing a paradigm shift to become a profitable and future-ready organisation. Stating that India Post’s future lies in becoming a fast, reliable and economical service provider, playing a key role in the country’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ Scindia stressed the importance of adopting technology, process re-engineering and active collaboration from all circles in this transformation. The minister has further called for detailed business plans from all circles to address the Department’s financial challenges and shift towards profitability. The conclave was attended by Secretary Posts, Vandita Kaul; Director General Postal Services, Jitendra Gupta; Members of the Postal Board, Chief Postmaster Generals and other senior officials. The officers participated in four key group discussions, each aimed at addressing crucial areas such as mail and parcel services, financial inclusion, Postal Life Insurance and citizen-centric services.

KPMG’s latest report, The Great Reset: Emerging Trends in Infrastructure and Transport 2025 highlights the growing role of digital twins in infrastructure. These digital replicas are rapidly becoming integral to infrastructure decision-making, allowing organisations to improve operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and long-term planning. KPMG predicts that digital twins will become a cornerstone of business operations in the next three years. A significant talent gap continues to plague the construction and infrastructure sectors. The report highlights the need for a workforce capable of driving innovation and adapting to new technologies. Many companies are struggling to attract digitally-savvy talent and will need to invest in training programs to meet growing demand. KPMG forecasts significant changes to infrastructure systems, driven by a combination of climate change, evolving economic conditions, and rapid technological innovation. The report urges infrastructure leaders to adopt bold, risk-taking strategies and rethink traditional practices in order to thrive in a world of uncertainty.

Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience. To ensure Emirates Courier Express addressed industry-wide challenges, Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot and finesse the product, with the goal to make it as fast, reliable and flexible as possible, before launching to market. Over the last year, Emirates Courier Express transported several thousands of packages from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa and the UK. The average delivery time is less than 48 hours. Now, Emirates Courier Express is open for business, for businesses. Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Emirates Courier Express is an evolution in how we move goods across the globe, at speed and at scale. Building on our world-class and well-established infrastructure, and reimagining traditional logistics processes where necessary, this innovative solution does not just meet the Emirates Gold Standard of reliability and excellence but sets a new benchmark for what’s possible. This is only the beginning of our vision to continuously innovate and lead the charge in the express delivery sector.”

  Ocean Network Express (ONE) launched new Indian Ocean Express service (IOX) connecting India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan with the North Europe region offering customers expanded service coverage, said official reports. The transshipment service via Colombo would cater to the shipping needs of customers from East India and Bangladesh, added official release. “The inaugural voyage from Nhava Sheva to North Europe will commence with Hyundai Oakland/V133W, Hyundai Oakland/V133E (ETA London Gateway.

SkyCell has partnered with ACL Airshop, provider of unit load device (ULD) leasing and management, to enhance air cargo logistics for customers. This five-year strategic partnership will integrate SkyCell’s cutting-edge IoT technology across ACL Airshop’s extensive ULD fleet, enhancing real-time tracking, operational efficiency, and asset utilisation. By minimising misplaced ULDs and y fleet allocation, ACL Airshop will be able to streamline operations, reduce excess inventory, and improve overall efficiency for its customers. Backed by 13+ years of expertise in pharma air freight monitoring and the largest IoT network spanning 250+ airports, SkyCell provides ACL Airshop with end-to-end fleet visibility—indoors and outdoors. This ensures greater tracking accuracy, improved asset utilization, and higher operational reliability, enabling ACL and its customers to make data-driven decisions for seamless logistics and cost-effective ULD fleet management.

  IAG Cargo is hoping to benefit from the addition of new flights to Asia, North America and South America as part of the airline group’s summer schedule. The cargo division of the IAG Group said a major highlight of the summer schedule – running from April to October – was the return of daily flights to Kuala Lumpur from Heathrow, which are due to start on 1 April utilising Boeing 787-9 capacity. Capacity across North America will “grow significantly”, including the return of flights to Denver from Dublin as well as additional services on routes such as Chicago, Vancouver and Washington from Heathrow. In Latin America, services to Rio de Janeiro from Madrid will increase from four to six flights per week, ”supporting growing demand in the region”.

According to IATA, “Air cargo registered its first year-on-year decline in February since March 2023 as a result of ‘extraordinary’ growth a year ago. The latest supply and demand statistics from IATA show that air cargo demand decreased by 0.1% in cargo tonne km (CTK) terms in February. However, the cargo load factor actually improved by 0.1 percentage points compared with a year ago to 45% due to a 0.4% decline in capacity supply. IATA said that the demand decline was the result of a spike in air cargo volumes in February last year caused by a number of factors.

DHL Group and Cryoport, Inc announced that DHL has acquired 100 per cent of CRYOPDP, a leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. In this context, the companies also announced a strategic partnership to strengthen their supply chain service offerings for the global life sciences and healthcare sector. DHL Group already has an established Life Sciences and Healthcare business, contributing over EUR 5 billion in global revenue in 2024. Building on this foundation, the acquisition of CRYOPDP marks a significant step in DHL’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics and expanding the breadth of its offering in the rapidly growing life science and healthcare sector. CRYOPDP specializes in providing white-glove courier services essential to the sectors it serves. With operations in 15 countries, CRYOPDP handles over 600,000 shipments per year, servicing customers and patients in over 135 countries worldwide.

Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO and MD, Aviapro Logistic said, “The air cargo industry has been adapting to challenges, but several key factors still affect its profitability. Limited cargo space of aircraft creates fierce competition, particularly during peak seasons. Navigating new trade tariffs, customs requirements, and security protocols is time-consuming and heavy on the pockets. Delays are caused by various factors, including weather, ineffective logistics, and unforeseen technical glitches, which may leave customers dissatisfied. Rising fuel prices and skilled labor costs add expenses, putting pressure on freight forwarders’ profit margins. Antiquated, paper-based procedures reduce productivity and increase the risk of errors. The disruptions in India’s air cargo industry caused by ongoing global conflict created barriers to the smooth shipment of cargo and goods. The industry has shown resilience and continues to adapt and evolve to sustain itself despite the hurdles. We must focus on strategic improvements across key operational areas. We expect significant gains through dedicated cargo flights, advanced forecasting, capacity management, and streamlined logistics. Leveraging digital platforms and data analytics for booking, tracking, and paperwork will reduce the processing time involved in aerodynamic operations. Adopting sustainable, energy-efficient technology and strategic route planning will help optimise costs. Lastly, in the long term, it is important to focus on enhancing MRO capabilities by developing state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, positioning India as a global hub for aviation servicing.”