Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said, “Air cargo sector may hold greater untapped potential. With a 47 per cent rise in volumes over the past decade, India now ranks 6th globally in total air cargo volumes, third in domestic freight, 12th in global freight. India’s cargo handling capacity has expanded to eight million MT, growing 10 per cent annually, with targets of 10 MMT by 2030 and 21 MMT by 2047.” Naidu was addressing the gathering at 11th Global Aviation Air Cargo Conclave held by PHDCCI. The national logistics enablers PM Gati Shakti, the National Logistics Policy and GST-driven market integration have accelerated this growth. Yet, India currently handles 2.9 per cent of global air cargo, underscoring massive room for expansion. One of the vital advancements, the minister noted, has been the rollout of iCargo, which grew from five airports in 2016 to 71 airports today with plans for 79 by 2030. The initiative is sharply focused on cutting processing time from eight hours to six hours and is extremely crucial for time-sensitive goods, especially perishables.”

Silk Way West Airlines has signed a pact with Airbus for the acquisition of two more A350Fs, bringing its total order for this next-generation model to four aircraft, said Wolfgang Meier, President, Silk Way West Airlines. This milestone reinforces the airline’s commitment to fleet modernisation and sustainable growth. The new order builds upon the partnership established between Silk Way West Airlines and Airbus in June 2022, when the airline became the first operator in the Central Asia and CIS region to order the A350F. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F programme. The A350Fs will strengthen our leading position in the global air freight market as we continue to modernise our fleet and reduce our carbon footprint,” he added.

Air One International has expanded its cargo fleet with delivery of a second Boeing 777F, which will be operated by its airline affiliate, One Air. The new aircraft arrived in the UK on 19 November following its handover at Boeing’s Everett production facility in the US. From its base at East Midlands Airport, One Air will deploy the freighter on scheduled services to Hong Kong, strengthening the carrier’s long-haul cargo capabilities. This addition follows the delivery of another 777F in August, placed into operation with One Air, marking a continued investment in the group’s growing air-cargo operations.

Softlink Global was recognised as the Best Technology Service Provider for its innovative solutions transforming the air cargo ecosystem at the recently hel;d India Cargo Awards 2025. The award highlights the company’s contributions in automating cargo operations, streamlining digital documentation, and enhancing real-time visibility across terminals and airlines. By enabling seamless integration, supporting ESG initiatives, and empowering teams with smart, data-driven tools, Softlink Global has set a benchmark for technology adoption in the industry. This recognition underscores its pivotal role in shaping a more efficient, transparent, and future-ready air cargo sector.

Delhi Cargo Service Centre was honoured with the Premier Air Cargo Terminal Operator Award at the recent India Cargo Awards 2025, recognising its outstanding performance and commitment to excellence in cargo handling. This achievement highlights the company’s dedication to efficient operations, advanced infrastructure, and superior service quality within the air cargo industry.    

Etihad Airways has firmed up its commitment to next-generation freighters by ordering three more Airbus A350Fs, expanding its existing order from seven to 10 aircraft. The pact follows the airline’s initial A350F order placed in August 2022. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive, Etihad Airways said the new freighters would add capability to the carrier’s cargo division as global demand continues to grow, noting the airline’s partnership with Airbus remains central to shaping a modern, efficient widebody fleet. The move had been widely anticipated, with Etihad Cargo previously indicating its intention to operate 10 A350Fs and confirming in late 2024 that it was negotiating to exercise options for three more. The airline currently operates five Boeing 777Fs and has said the shift toward the A350F is a logical progression given the presence of A350 passenger aircraft already within its fleet.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is planning to expand its cargo operations in India in response to growing demand for Scottish salmon and whisky, Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, PIK, said, while addressing delegates at the Air Cargo Southeast Asia Expo, Singapore. The development builds on the progress of the United Kingdom–India FTA, which will remove tariffs on Scottish salmon and reduce duties on Scotch whisky from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, with further cuts expected. “The Indian subcontinent, on the back of the recent Indo-Anglo trade agreement, is a key target for Glasgow Prestwick Airport for 2026,” said Nico Le Roux. “Scotland’s national export ambitions to India are well defined and Prestwick will provide an unrivalled European gateway for India’s pharma, medical equipment, and garment industries. “We are looking to mirror the collaborations we created with Chinese carriers and are seeking out full freighter airline partners to serve the Indian market. Expanding our connections with India will ensure faster, more efficient routes for Scotland’s key products to reach one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, while offering Indian manufacturers a superb hub in Europe,” added Le Roux.  

Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted India’s immense market potential, skilled manpower and rapidly expanding cargo sector, while addressing the 11th Global Aviation Air Cargo Conclave, themed “Gateway to the Skies: Elevating India’s aviation, air cargo and MRO ecosystem for global leadership”. He said India’s air cargo volumes have grown by 47 per cent over the last decade, positioning the country 6th globally in total air cargo volumes, 3rd in domestic freight, and 12th in international freight. With cargo-handling capacity now at 8 million MT and growing at over 10 per cent annually, India has set ambitious targets to reach 10 MMT by 2030 and 21 MMT by 2047. The Minister emphasised major initiatives, including the PMGS scheme, NLP, and creation of a unified national market through GST, have been critical enablers of this progress. With India currently accounting for only 2.9 per cent of global air traffic, he underlined the vast untapped potential ahead. He shared initiatives such as transforming airports into cargo hubs for local production, promoting regional exports, such as frozen fish from Agartala and tea from Dibrugarh, and operationalising the ‘one airport, one product’ concept inspired by the PM’s ‘one district, one product’ vision.

SpiceXpress & Logistics was presented with the Best Airline and Logistics Service Provider Award recently at the India Cargo Awards 2025, recognising its exceptional performance and consistent commitment to excellence in the air-cargo and logistics sector. The accolade highlights the company’s advances in operational efficiency, customer-centric solutions, and innovative service offerings, further strengthening its position as one of the leading logistics players in the country.

Keku Bomi Gazder, MD and CEO, Aviapro Logistic Services said, “Geopolitical events, regulatory changes, and shifting trade patterns have had a significant impact on our business operations. Global conflicts and regional tensions disrupted supply chains, increased transportation costs, and led to fluctuations in fuel prices, affecting logistics planning and profitability.” Evolving trade policies, such as changes in import-export regulations and tariff structures, have required constant monitoring and adaptation to ensure compliance and cost efficiency. “Also, the focus on sustainability and stricter environmental regulations have prompted investments in greener technologies and more transparent supply chain practices. Trade realignments and diversification of sourcing markets have encouraged us to strengthen partnerships in emerging regions to mitigate risks,” he added