dnata announced that it would invest US$ 100 million in green operations in the next two years to further enhance environmental efficiency across its global network. The company’s ongoing investment in infrastructure, equipment and process improvement will support it to achieve its strategic objectives and reduce its carbon footprint by 20% by 2024, and by 50% by 2030. Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “We’ve been making great progress on reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste and reducing energy and water consumption across our operations. We will further increase our investments and efforts in strong cooperation with our partners to achieve our targets and preserve the environment for current and future generations.”

Maersk has completed the acquisition of global freight forwarding company, Senator International. According to a company statement, “Senator brings with it a strong organisation and a well-developed airfreight network comprising own controlled flights and long-term partnerships with best-in-class airlines, a well-established full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) network and specialised services such packaging, warehousing and distribution across five continents.” The acquisition will enable Maersk to offer an even wider range of products and the ability to provide flexible and integrated logistics solutions to customers, allowing them to speed up or slow down cargo depending on their changing supply chain needs, the statement added. Vincent Clerc, CEO of Ocean & Logistics, A.P. Moller-Maersk said, “We are delighted to welcome the Senator team to our Maersk family. As a global provider of integrated logistics, we are improving our ability to provide end-to-end solutions to our customers. With Senator on board, we are ramping up our air freight capacity, network, and know-how significantly to cater even better for our customers.”

To cater to the increased demand, the Miami-based Amerijet International Airlines has been rapidly expanding its fleet in 2022. The carrier said in a statement that it has taken delivery of a total of six B757 freighters this year and next year the carrier will add five B767s. The carier’s fleet now stands at 20 freighters. With the addition of B767s the carrier will operate 25 freighters; 19 B767s and six B757s. Tim Strauss, Chief Executive said in a statement, “The carrier is in discussion over another four aircraft that could join the fleet next year. It is going to be a good long run for air cargo. It is a great time to be in the business. Industry has never witnessed this kind of transformation and the stakeholders now knows what supply chain means.”

Ethiopian Airlines is all set to start thrice weekly flights to Chennai from July 2, 2022. The flights to Chennai operated using B737-8 aircraft, will join the vast Ethiopian network as a fourth destination in India after New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Mesfin Tasew said in a release, “I am excited that we are getting closer to our customers with our signature service and global connectivity options. We have been connecting Asia and Africa for 55 years now facilitating trade between the two continents. The addition of Chennai as a fourth passenger destination in India is a testimony of our resilience and unwavering commitment to serve our customers in India and the continent at large. We will continue to serve India with enhanced frequency and more destinations in the future.” Exports from India includes pharmaceutical products, fabrics, finished goods, petroleum goods, fruits/vegetables, heavy machinery for project cargo, spares, handicrafts etc.

The cargo terminal at Jaipur International airport is now functional. According to the official media reports, Rahul Nangre, commissioner of customs (preventive) inaugurated the terminal which is managed by AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Ltd. Nangre said in reports, “There is immense potential for direct import and export from Jaipur Air Cargo terminal and with the commencement of this cargo terminal, all the importers and exporters of Rajasthan will benefit including gems and jewellery.” He added, “There shall be an increase in export-import of items such as fabrics, clothes, handicrafts, machinery parts, vegetables, and other items due to commencement of operations of this Cargo terminal.”

As a part of PM Narendra Modi’s special package for Bihar, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road transport and highways will lay foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth Rs 13,000 crore to revamp eastern flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge in Bihar on June 7. Road construction minister Nitin Nabin along with additional chief secretary (road) Pratyaya Amrit also inspected the restructured eastern flank of Mahatma Gandhi Setu ahead of its inauguration, says reports. “Gadkari ji will launch eight projects from Patna, and he is proposed to launch two more projects at Bhagalpur on the same day. The entire work of Gandhi Setu has been completed with an estimated outlay of Rs 1800 crores,” said Nabin in a media release. A four-lane bridge is also proposed to be constructed parallel to Gandhi Setu on its western side, added official release. The rehabilitation of 39-year-old bridge is being done by the ministry of road transport and highways by replacing its old superstructure with steel deck superstructure, except pillars.

In sync with the government’s vision of making India a drone hub by 203O, Skye Air Mobility has unveiled its long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named, Artemis, equipped to carry a payload of 6 kgs with a range of 100 km. It has been designed for inter-city, inter-district, and inter-state cargo movements and has a speed of 100mph speed and an endurance of 90 minutes per trip. Artemis is best suited for sectors such as healthcare and e-commerce, said the company statement. Ankit Kumar, Chief Executive said, “The Skye Air Team has been working on Artemis since mid-2021. Finally, we are proud to showcase a technology that is set to change the landscape of air cargo deliveries. We feel as industries are well embracing the drone technology, it was a perfect time to showcase the Artemis, further adding to our capabilities.” “Skye Air’s vision is in sync with the government’s vision of making India a drone hub by 2030. Skye Air is proactively trying to bring a faster and cost-effective solution for different verticals and by launching Artemis, we have taken another step in that direction.”

Focusing on its commitment to ambitious CO2 reduction targets, Blue Dart has signed the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The company has adopted a package of measures worth up to €7 billion to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, primarily to expand the use of sustainable technologies and fuels in its fleets and buildings. The company’s long-term goal is to reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050, says release. Pablo Ciano, EVP Corporate Development, DPDHL Group says, “As a Group, we have developed a Sustainability Roadmap that supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are constantly working towards introducing innovative green logistics solutions that improve our carbon footprint. I am delighted to share that representing the DHL eCommerce Solutions Division in India, Blue Dart has been delivering high on its sustainability initiatives.”

Elixia Tech Solutions recorded a business growth of 175 per cent in Maharashtra in 2021-2022. This apart, Elixia has also clocked a 2.2x increase in its customer base in the said region in FY 2021-2022. Sanket Sheth, Founder and MD said, “Maharashtra Government has made large investments towards improving the state’s fragmented logistics sector. It has resulted in the state emerging as a hub for supply chain operations. Elixia has responded enthusiastically to the moves by leveraging them with our tech-based services. We have taken full advantage and registered robust business growth.” Seth added that “technological intervention will boost and strengthen the state and India’s logistics segment”.

Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo announced the entry of Swiss WorldCargo into the airlines’ joint business agreement, providing cargo customers with more direct connections, flexibility, and speed. “Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo have a close collaboration on international lanes via their hubs in Hong Kong and Germany, while the handling of cargo in Hong Kong is coordinated under one roof at the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport. Under the agreement, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo, and Swiss WorldCargo will work closely on network planning, as well as on sales, IT, and ground handling. Initially, the airlines will cooperate on traffic from Hong Kong to Zurich and Frankfurt, with traffic to and from Hong Kong and Europe, which is planned to be included later this year,” said a statement. Cargo customers will be able to access the entire network via the booking systems of all three partners.