Category Archives: Aviation

GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) was presented the Fastest Growing Air Cargo Airport Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025 in New Delhi. It was recognised for its outstanding performance and rapid growth in the air cargo sector. The airport has consistently demonstrated excellence in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and customer service, making GHIAL a key hub for domestic and international freight. With strategic infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong connectivity, the airport continues to support India’s ambition of becoming a global logistics and trade hub, setting benchmarks for efficiency and innovation in the industry.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) and FedEx Logistics have reached a pact to collaborate on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage, marking a significant step toward greener air cargo operations. According to AFKLMP, the SAF participation agreement will enable FedEx Logistics to explore a book-and-claim programme, giving its freight forwarding customers access to the environmental benefits associated with the physical SAF used by AFKLMP. The partnership, recently celebrated with key teams in Hong Kong, demonstrates how industry collaboration can accelerate SAF adoption across the supply chain and help forwarders achieve their sustainability goals, reflecting the growing focus on decarbonisation in global logistics.

In response to growing demand between Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and Europe, FedEx has announced the addition of five extra weekly flights to its European hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Three of these flights will operate from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, while the remaining two will connect from Singapore Changi Airport. All flights will be operated using Boeing 777Fs, enhancing the carrier’s capacity and reliability on this key trade lane. “This expansion boosts our average daily capacity between APAC region and Europe, enabling businesses to seize growth opportunities in high-demand sectors such as e-commerce, manufacturing, hi-tech, and retail,” the company statement read. The move underscores FedEx’s commitment to supporting global supply chains with increased flexibility and faster, more efficient cargo movement.

Chaitaly Mehta, Honorary Secretary, ACAAI, said, “ACAAI offers a platform to give back to the industry, whether through training, joining sub-committees to help the Trade or participating in various initiatives or programs. I would want to inspire members- old and new with next-gen to seize these opportunities. As the first woman to hold this role at ACAAI, I aim to build on its rich legacy, while bringing fresh energy and inclusivity. My focus is on teamwork, collaboration, and restoring ACAAI to its full glory — like polishing silver to reveal its brilliance. I am passionate about increasing women’s empowerment and participation across all levels, from Regional to the Board Level and encouraging more professionals, next gen and new entrepreneurs to actively contribute. I want to expand ACAAI’s presence through wherever possible new regional chapters and create greater awareness about work that ACAAI does for the trade. That is another key priority. My strategy is simple: collective effort, steady progress, and fostering a strong, collaborative team that works together to strengthen the air cargo industry.”

To boost global ops and meet growing demand, Turkish Cargo has expanded its fleet with the addition of ninth Boeing 777F. Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines, “The airline is all set to take delivery of three additional B777Fs by mid-2026. The four B777Fs were ordered in July last year. The latest B777F will operate on long-haul scheduled routes primarily to the Americas and the Far East. At Turkish Cargo, we will expand our Boeing 777F fleet to 12 aircraft in 2026, gaining an additional annual capacity of 220,000 tonnes. This growth will contribute to our fleet streamlining and sustainability goals, while enabling us to offer our business partners greater capacity.”

Rajen Bhatia, Chairman, ACAAI Western Region said, “The ACAAI Western Region is addressing the air cargo logistics concerns through sustained engagement with airport operators, customs authorities, and other regulatory bodies. The association regularly participates in stakeholder committees to promote coordination and push for practical, on-ground reforms, attending meetings/seminars of Indian Merchants Chamber, ASSOCHAM, FICCI. This apart, it attends Indian Customs meetings every fortnight to get issues resolved and future improvements for the benefit of the trade. Representations are made to the ministry from time to time based on the issues facing the trade and industry and the improvements/suggestions, which benefit the trade at large.”

Mumbai Cargo Service Centre Cold Chain Solution (MCSCCCSPL) was honoured with the ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator– Cold Chain’ Award at the recent India Cargo Awards in New Delhi. Expressing pride, Pramod Pereira, General Manager, Mumbai Cargo Service Centre Cold Chain Solution, said, “This is a prestigious recognition as it celebrates industry leaders and distinguishes excellence within the sector. It is a proud moment for us and an achievement for my team back home.” He added, “We handle a significant volume of pharma and perishable cargo–both of which require care and swift handling due to their time-sensitive nature at our Mumbai terminal. Over the years, our team has gained exceptional expertise and experience in managing these critical shipments. With a strong network of over 70 airlines and 200 forwarders and pharma shippers, this achievement reflects dedication, precision, and professionalism of our team.”  

Blue Dart unveiled its largest Green Integrated Ground Hub (in Pataudi, Haryana to bring multiple operations under one roof to boost connectivity, scalability, and efficiency across Blue Dart’s nationwide express network, while furthering its sustainability agenda, said statement. Spanning 50,558 sqm, the facility integrates e-commerce, domestic express, and ground shipments under one consolidated operation. Located 50 km away from New Delhi airport, the Pataudi hub offers seamless multimodal connectivity with Delhi-NCR and key national expressways. Its location enables Centre of Gravity optimisation, reducing vehicle movement by 30 per cent and improving throughput speed by 10 per cent, making it a critical logistics hub for North India.

Vikram Kumar, Vice President, ACAAI, said, “ACAAI represents the voice of freight forwarders, consolidators, and logistics service providers in key policy forums. Our role is to ensure alignment between private sector needs and government policies — whether it is customs modernisation, digital transformation, or infrastructure planning. We engage regularly with MoCA, DGFT, DPIIT, DGCA, BCAS, CBDT and CBIT to ensure that cargo-specific concerns are heard and acted upon. Beyond advocacy, we support capacity building, training, and information-sharing across the ecosystem.”

Kuehne+Nagel (KN) is planning to invest in five new fulfilment centres in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Nagpur, Mumbai and Rajpura, adding 100,000 sqm of capacity, stated a company statement. This expansion will increase the company’s fulfilment centre footprint in India to nearly 500,000 sqm. The new fulfilment centres are equipped with technologies, such as telescopic conveyors and high-performance sorting systems, enabling a 75 per cent increase in peak order handling capacity. The fulfilment centres have come up in Mumbai and Kolkata, Gurugram, Nagpur, and Rajpura. They are aligned with India’s multicity industrial growth. Gurugram and Nagpur continue to evolve as growth hubs for multiple industries, while Rajpura, is gaining traction in manufacturing and distribution.