Category Archives: Aviation

To boost logistics activity in the region, N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has announced that the state will be developed as a key logistics hub on the East Coast. He also mentioned that state government will soon set up a Logistics and a Civil Aviation University to strengthen the sector, said CM during the East Coast Maritime Logistics Summit, organised jointly by the Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST) and Maritime Gateway in Visakhapatnam. The CM emphasised, “Logistics sector currently contributes around 1 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The goal is of raising this share to 3 per cent in the coming years.” As per the reports, he also proposed the creation of a 20-member advisory body comprising representatives from port and shipping industries to guide the state on developing Andhra Pradesh as a global logistics hub. He said that with six operational ports and four more under development, the state is well-positioned to expand its port-led economy

Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has become the first ground handling company in India to be awarded the newly mandated Safety Clearance by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This landmark achievement positions AISATS as a pioneer in aviation safety and operational excellence and underscores India’s emergence as a global leader in aviation standards. The DGCA introduced this mandate in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations, requiring ground handlers to demonstrate robust Safety Management Systems (SMS), risk controls, staff training programs and infrastructure readiness. This mandate was in response to increasing air traffic and the need for standardised safety protocols, DGCA introduced mandatory safety clearance requirements for Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSPs). Under the new Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), GHSPs must appoint accountable managers, station managers and safety and quality managers, while ensuring recurrent training for ground personnel. With this regulation, India becomes the second country globally to formally regulate ground handling services. AISATS has become the first and only Ground Handler in India to receive the Safety Clearance Certificate No. GHSP/001, issued by DGCA under these newly established safety regulations. This milestone follows months of rigorous documentation review and operational inspections conducted by DGCA across all AISATS-managed airports. The Quality Management, Risk and Compliance and Safety teams at AISATS developed a comprehensive suite of Operations and Training Manuals, which were highly commended by DGCA officials for setting a new industry benchmark. Ramanathan Rajamani, CEO, AISATS, “We are honoured to be the first ground handler in India to secure DGCA’s Safety Clearance. Safety and quality have always been the cornerstone of AISATS’ operations. This recognition reflects our strong culture of accountability, continuous training and operational excellence.”

According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest report, there has been a 5.5 per cent increase in global air cargo demand in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, with international operations up 6.0 per cent. Capacity also rose by 3.9 per cent year-on-year.  Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said, “Air cargo demand grew 5.5 per cent in July, a strong result. Most major trade lanes reported growth, with one significant exception of Asia – North America, where demand was down 1.0 per cent year-on-year.”  He added, “A sharp decline in e-commerce, as the US de minimis exemptions on small shipments expired, was likely offset by shippers frontloading goods in advance of rising tariffs for imports to the US.”

Cathay Cargo has been re-certified for IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Lithium Batteries accreditation. The certification offers reassurance for customers using the Cathay Dangerous Goods service, which provides customers with precise handling and segregated storage across all nine classes of dangerous goods, including flammable, radioactive and other types of hazardous materials, along with the safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries. Cathay Cargo first achieved IATA’s CEIV Lithium Batteries accreditation in 2023. “Safety is the cornerstone for all our operations and particularly when it comes to the transport of dangerous goods,” said Tim Wong, GM, Cathay Cargo. He added, “The safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries is a core focus of our cargo business and we have introduced a series of safety protocols with our customers and operational teams to mitigate any risks. This CEIV reaccreditation will give further reassurance to our customers that we adhere to the highest standards of handling in the industry.”

Softlink Academy, the skill development arm of Softlink Global, has signed MoU with Sitara Shipping to strengthen talent development and internship opportunities in logistics and shipping. The agreement focuses on deploying industry-ready professionals trained in digital logistics, bridging the gap between education and employment. Through this collaboration, Softlink Academy will provide hands-on, practical training in logistics technology, while Sitara Shipping will facilitate real-world exposure and career opportunities across its business operations and network. The initiative ensures that MSMEs and large enterprises gain access to skilled professionals who can drive digital adoption and efficiency in logistics and shipping. Amit Maheshwari, Founder & CEO of Softlink Global, said, “At Softlink, we have always believed that the future of logistics rests on the strength of its people. This MoU is a step forward in ensuring that the next generation of professionals are equipped with the right digital skills to succeed. By linking skill development to industry demand, we are not only creating employable talent but also supporting businesses to thrive in a fast-evolving ecosystem.”

The Managing Committee of ACAAI met on 26th August 2025 in Mumbai, where the key agenda for the upcoming 49th ACAAI Annual Convention, to be held from 6th to 9th November 2025 in Bali, Indonesia was discussed. It was also decided to approach the members to make the convention a success by participating in large numbers.

  CargoAi announced the CargoCoPilot Agent — Unified AI for air cargo, a conversational AI that works across WhatsApp, email, airline websites and their own CargoMART platform to streamline everyday workflows for airlines, GSAs and freight forwarders. The Agent handles common customer requests end‑to‑end — from AWB‑based tracking and rate & capacity search to automated booking and instant answers — cutting manual back-and-forth and speeding up responses industry‑wide. The CargoCoPilot Agent is the next evolution of CargoAi’s AI portfolio, building on years of investment and proven products such as the CargoCoPilot AI Outlook Plugin, CargoCoPilot via API and AI‑Powered Rates inside CargoMART. This launch represents a step‑change in capability: a single, secure AI interface that understands any language and meets customers wherever they work. “AI must feel natural, trustworthy and useful from day one. With CargoCoPilot Agent, a forwarder can simply ask ‘Show me rates to JFK’ or “Where is my shipment?” — and the Agent does the rest,” said Matt Petot, CEO at CargoAi. “CargoAi is not experimenting with AI — we are deploying it live, at scale and with measurable business value. With these new developments we are targeting to automate not less than 50% of emails interactions received by our industry, making room for higher valued tasks.”

Cargo Flash Infotech has partnered with EgyptAir Cargo to implement the advanced ‘nGen’ Integrated Cargo Management System (ICMS). This partnership represents a significant milestone in EgyptAir Cargo’s digital transformation journey, aimed at modernising cargo operations and enhancing service delivery across its international network. Developed by Cargo Flash, the nGen ICMS is a comprehensive, cloud-based solution designed to replace legacy systems with a unified digital platform. It automates end-to-end cargo processes — including booking, documentation, warehousing and final delivery — while providing real-time visibility, operational accuracy and seamless integration across the cargo value chain. Jasraj S Chug, Co-founder and Director, Cargo Flash Infotech said, “Our collaboration with EgyptAir Cargo is a strategic alignment of vision and capabilities, focused on driving digital excellence in the air cargo industry. The implementation of our nGen ICMS will enable EgyptAir Cargo to optimise operations, enhance transparency and scale efficiently in a competitive global landscape. The successful implementation of nGen ICMS was led by Neha Kumari, Vice President SaaS Products, Cargo Flash.

Keku Bomi Gazder, MD and CEO, Aviapro Logistic Services said, “E-commerce, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and agriculture are major sectors driving growth in domestic and international cargo transport. The rise of online shopping demands faster, more efficient logistics. Manufacturing exports, especially in electronics and automotive parts, boost freight volumes. Pharmaceuticals contribute significantly to air cargo due to strict timelines and temperature controls. Additionally, agricultural exports benefit from expanding cold chain infrastructure. Government initiatives like dedicated freight corridors and port modernisation enhance overall logistics efficiency. International trade recovery and global supply chain diversification also support cargo growth, making these sectors central to the evolving landscape of freight transportation.”

Vandana Singh, Chairwoman, FAII said, “The rise in industrial activity, led by sectors like steel, cement and automotive has contributed significantly to bulk and containerised cargo volumes. The ‘Make in India’ initiative and PLI schemes have further boosted freight demand across corridors. With a push towards doubling farmers’ income, agricultural exports — especially perishables — are growing. This is driving investment in cold chain infrastructure and refrigerated logistics for both domestic distribution and overseas shipping. The boom in e-commerce is shaping the demand for air cargo, first-mile and last-mile logistics and high-speed parcel movement, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities. India’s role as a global pharma hub has led to a significant increase in export cargo, necessitating temperature-controlled logistics and faster customs clearances through dedicated air cargo terminals. As a traditional export strength, the textile sector continues to drive outbound cargo to global fashion markets, particularly in Europe and the US.  Domestic cargo volumes are also growing due to increased movement of coal, petroleum and other minerals through coastal shipping and rail networks. Together, these sectors are not only accelerating the demand for multimodal infrastructure but are also encouraging private participation and innovation in India’s logistics landscape. As connectivity improves under Gati Shakti, the cargo sector is set to become a key pillar of India’s economic growth and global trade competitiveness.”