Category Archives: Aviation

Aeroprime Group was recognised for its outstanding performance and operational excellence by winning the Leading Cargo GSSA of the Year Award at the India Cargo Awards 2025, held recently in New Delhi. The accolade underscores the firm’s commitment to providing efficient, reliable, and customer-centric cargo services in India’s dynamic air cargo sector.  

Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO & MD, Aviapro Logistic Services, stressing the industry’s focus on skill development and digital transformation, said “The industry is engaged in upskilling its workforce through targeted training in automation, AI, and digital tools — WMS and e-documentation.” Firms are partnering with tech providers and institutions to offer certification programmes, workshops, and on-the-job training, with focus on digital literacy, data analytics, and process optimisation to build a future-ready, tech-savvy workforce. “Logistics firms must collaborate with academia and skill varsities by co-developing industry-aligned curricula, offering real-world case studies, and facilitating internships or apprenticeships.”

Air cargo expert Jalpa H. Vithalani was honoured with the Women Business Professional of the Year Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025 in New Delhi. Recognised for her outstanding contributions to the air cargo and logistics sector, Jalpa’s leadership and expertise continue to inspire professionals across the industry.  

The global air cargo market is projected to see 3 to 4 per cent demand growth in 2025 based on current trading conditions, according to industry analysts Xeneta.  “Over the past two months, air cargo benefited from ‘piggybacking’ on global uncertainty, whether through frontloading supply chains or shifting from ocean to air to move goods faster before tariffs took effect,” said Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer, Xeneta. “September’s figures suggest this trend is easing as stability returns to major corridors and global trade becomes less turbulent,” he added. After unexpectedly strong volumes over the summer, September’s data signalled a slowdown as the industry headed into the final quarter. Marking the start of the peak season, September recorded just over 3 per cent year-on-year growth, matching capacity expansion, compared with over 5 per cent growth in July and August. Month-on-month volumes rose by a modest 3 per cent.  

Dinesh Krishnan, Honorary Treasurer, ACAAI, said, “The aim of the convention is to outline actionable growth strategies for the air cargo industry amid global turbulence. This year’s focus goes beyond basic digitalisation toward achieving true end-to-end visibility and data integration through ULIP and IATA’s ONE Record. The convention will address key challenges such as infra bottlenecks, high dwell times, capacity shortages, and regulatory delays, while pushing for 24×7 customs clearance to strengthen India’s position as a regional hub. It will examine the impact of protectionism, regional conflicts, and sustainability imperatives, including SAF and green logistics. The goal is to foster consensus among regulators, airlines, airports, and forwarders, aligning ops with logistics objectives and bringing global best practices to India. ACAAI is set to host its 49th Annual Convention in Bali from 6–9 November.

Totsol Aviation was felicitated with the Fastest Growing GSSA Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025 held in New Delhi. Vikas Kukreja, Director, Totsol Aviation, said, “A thank you to the DDP Publications for this prestigious title. It truly motivates us to exceed expectations daily. Totsol Aviation is built on one mission — to be the trusted GSSA, driving lasting success for our partners in the Indian market.”

Allcargo Logistics has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, for its Composite Scheme of Arrangement under Sections 230–232 of the Companies Act, 2013. This marks the completion of the legal process for the company’s comprehensive restructuring plan, covering its express distribution, contract logistics, and global supply chain businesses, said a company statement. Under the approved scheme, the International Supply Chain business of Allcargo Logistics Ltd will be demerged into a new listed entity, Allcargo Global Ltd. The domestic express and contract logistics businesses —operating under Allcargo Gati, Gati Express & Supply Chain, and Allcargo Supply Chain — will be consolidated under Allcargo Logistics Ltd, which continues as a listed entity. The restructuring allows global and domestic ops to function independently, with strategic focus, dedicated management oversight, and efficient capital allocation.

Tej Contractor, Director, Mayur C. Contractor Logistics, MCC Container Lines, and Transcargo India, has been elected VP, FFFAI at the recent FIATA World Congress held in Hanoi, Vietnam. In another development, Keshav Tanna, Member, Board of Advisors, ACAAI, has been appointed Secretary General, FIATA. Their appointments underscore FIATA’s recognition of India’s influence in shaping global logistics policy and development. The recognition coincides with ACAAI being honoured by FIATA at the same Congress for hosting the FIATA Regional Asia-Pacific Meeting in New Delhi earlier this year —testament to India’s growing leadership and active engagement in the global freight forwarding community.

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said, “The time is ripe for PM GatiShakti to move to the next level. It is a central tool for national and human development, aimed at achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.” He noted the initiative’s impact was visible across sectors, with logistics costs showing a decline and last-mile connectivity improving. He highlighted how PMGS has evolved into a key tool for coordination and effective planning across ministries, states and departments. Goyal also announced the launch of new digital tools, including a unified geospatial interface offering public access to PMGS databases. He was speaking at the fourth anniversary of PMGS, held at Bharat Mandapam. The event focused on the initiatives and developments have taken place in the past four years under PMGS and its future vision.

Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight said, “Firstly, we would like to thank our government for providing Mumbai with an additional airport, given that Mumbai is the financial centre and one of the most important cities in India. We definitely need better road connectivity to the new airport, and while it’s going to take some time, it’s super important for making things easier for travellers. Right now, people flying out of Mumbai might find it quicker to get to BLR or MAA instead. The government is on it, and once the infrastructure is finished, getting to the airport should be a breeze. One big thing to think about is how many airlines will start operating from this airport. If cargo gets offloaded and the next flight isn’t for a week, we need to figure out who will handle the extra costs and how the remaining goods will get shipped. Will airlines use bonded trucking to take cargo back to the old airport, or will they wait for the next flight? – is another question that comes to mind.  These hiccups are part of getting started, but we’re hopeful they’ll get sorted out soon. Once everything is running smoothly, this airport will bring awesome advantages with its space and high-tech facilities, and the warehouses will be huge and automated. The Navi  Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) along with the Noida International Airport, or Jewar Airport, is set to be a game changer, especially since it’s part of the Indian government’s plan to double the domestic airport network to 300 by 2047. Unlike the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, NMIA is designed for smooth, congestion-free access. Plus, it’s conveniently located near the Nhava …