Author name: Aviation World

Chennai,19th August 2026 : Garuda Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Timed Automation Solutions (TAS), Australia, a provider of enterprise autonomous drone platforms. The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organisations to advance technical cooperation, facilitate knowledge sharing, and explore growth opportunities in the autonomous drone sector. The collaboration brings together Garuda Aerospace’s expertise in drone manufacturing and drone-based solutions with Timed Automation Solutions’ strengths in autonomous aerial operations and enterprise drone platforms, including drone-in-a-box orchestration, fleet and site control, AI-assisted image review, and enterprise integrations. Under the MoU, both companies will evaluate non-exclusive opportunities in product distribution, joint development of drone technologies, and participation in domestic and international projects. By leveraging their complementary capabilities, the collaboration aims to support innovation across applications such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and remote operations. Speaking on the collaboration, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace Limited, said: “As autonomous technologies continue to redefine industries worldwide, building strong international relationships is essential to shaping the future of the drone ecosystem. Our association with Timed Automation Solutions reflects our commitment to expanding Garuda Aerospace’s global reach while developing solutions that address evolving industry requirements. We remain focused on driving technological excellence and delivering long-term value through strategic collaborations.” “This collaboration with Garuda Aerospace reflects TAS’s vision to build a scalable, software driven UAV ecosystem in Australia. By combining Garuda’s manufacturing capabilities with our SkyStream platform, we aim to deliver flexible, cost effective, and scalable solutions for industries transitioning towards autonomous operations.” Shakil Mansoor, Founder and Director from Timed Automation Solutions added. The collaboration will also explore pilot deployments across Australia and New Zealand, supporting the evaluation of real-world use cases and operational workflows. This MoU marks another step in Garuda Aerospace’s broader strategy of driving innovation through strategic collaborations. Building on its existing partnerships across the aerospace, defence, and technology ecosystem, the company continues to expand its capabilities while creating new opportunities in autonomous drone technologies and global markets. In 2025, Garuda Aerospace also secured export licence approvals, supporting potential expansion into the Australian market.

Delhi, August 11, 2026: SaveSage has  announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with IndiGo BluChip, enabling users to earn IndiGo BluChips on credit card and utility bill payments made through the SaveSage app. Under the partnership, members will earn 1 IndiGo BluChip for every Rs 1,000 of credit card and utility bill payments, with the opportunity to earn up to 1,000 IndiGo BluChips every month. The earned IndiGo BluChips can be redeemed for eligible flights and other applicable benefits within the IndiGo BluChips programme. The feature will be available immediately to all SaveSage users. The launch comes at a time when India’s credit card ecosystem continues to expand, with more than 120 million active cards and over 1 million new cards issued every month. Yet card penetration remains below 6% of the population compared with over 40% in China and more than 70% in the United States, highlighting significant room for growth. As consumers increasingly manage multiple cards and seek greater value from recurring expenses, credit card bill payments have remained one of the few large monthly transactions that generate no rewards. The partnership addresses this gap by enabling customers to earn IndiGo BluChips on everyday bill payments. Commenting on the launch, Ashish Lath, Founder & CEO, SaveSage, said, “Credit card bills are among the largest monthly transactions for millions of Indians, yet until now they have generated practically no rewards. Through this partnership with IndiGo, we’re changing that by helping users turn payments they already make every month into meaningful free flights. As consumers become more focused on maximising value from every transaction, we’re excited to introduce a proposition that makes travel rewards a part of daily financial life.”  The partnership reflects a broader shift towards integrating financial services with travel rewards, opening new ways for consumers to extract value from everyday spending while giving loyalty programmes a way to engage members beyond traditional travel.

New Delhi, 11th August 2026: At a time when geopolitical uncertainties, shifting manufacturing bases, expanding e-commerce and rapid digital transformation are redefining global trade, India is preparing to host one of the country’s largest gatherings of the air cargo and logistics industry. Beginning tomorrow, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) will convene the 7th ACFI World Conclave 2026 on 12–13 August at Taj Palace, New Delhi, bringing together more than 700 delegates from across the global aviation, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem. With Logistics Shakti as the Strategic Partner, Cathay Cargo as the Title Partner, SkyDrive as the Powered by Partner, and Freightos, Menzies Aviation, WFS and BLR Cargo as Gold Partners, the conclave will bring together policymakers, regulators, airlines, airports, cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, logistics companies and technology leaders to deliberate on the theme, “Reimagining Global Trade: India at the Forefront of Developing Resilient Supply Chains.” Discussions will focus on strengthening India’s position as a global logistics hub through digital innovation, infrastructure expansion and policy reforms to build resilient, future-ready supply chains. The two-day conclave will feature discussions on AI-enabled logistics, automation, digital air waybills, multimodal connectivity, sustainability and next-generation supply chain technologies, while fostering industry collaboration to accelerate the growth of India’s air cargo ecosystem. The conclave will be graced by Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, alongside senior government officials, regulators and industry leaders. Sanjiv Edward, President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) and CEO, Cargo & Logistics, GMR Group, said, “Global trade is entering a defining phase where resilience, digital integration and trusted partnerships are becoming the new drivers of competitiveness. As supply chains evolve, India has an unprecedented opportunity to emerge as a strategic gateway connecting global markets. The ACFI World Conclave 2026 is designed to bring together policymakers and industry leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and identify practical pathways that can strengthen India’s air cargo ecosystem while supporting the country’s long-term trade and economic ambitions.” Ramesh Mamidala, Vice President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) and Head of Cargo, Air India Limited, said,”Air cargo today sits at the intersection of global commerce, manufacturing, e-commerce and technology. The sector is witnessing rapid transformation driven by digitalisation, automation, changing trade routes and increasing customer expectations. This conclave will provide an important platform to deliberate on policy reforms, operational excellence, technology adoption and multimodal integration that will enhance efficiency, improve resilience and position India among the world’s leading logistics economies.” Karanjit Singh Wadhwa, Chairman, Event Management, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI), said, “The objective of the World Conclave is to create meaningful outcomes that extend well beyond the conference hall. By bringing together global decision makers, regulators, airlines, airports, logistics companies, technology providers and investors on one platform, we aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, business partnerships and collaborative solutions that will accelerate innovation and strengthen India’s role in shaping the future of global supply chains.” India’s air cargo sector continues to grow despite global disruptions, with cargo volumes rising 6.2 percent in FY26 to 39.63 lakh tonnes. International shipments accounted for nearly 64 percent of total freight, while Delhi remained the country’s largest cargo hub and Chennai recorded 11.7 percent growth, driven by electronics and engineering exports. Pharmaceuticals, perishables, automotive components and cross-border e-commerce continue to fuel cargo growth. The sector is also witnessing rapid adoption of AI-driven logistics, automation, digital documentation and paperless cargo processes, supported by initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Against this backdrop, the 7th ACFI World Conclave 2026 aims to bring together key stakeholders to advance policy dialogue, innovation and collaboration, strengthening India’s position as a leading global air cargo and logistics hub.