Cargo

New Delhi, 5th July2024: The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) held their Annual Conclave themed “Unlocking Potential Paving Way for a Developed India” in New Delhi. The event aimed to foster collaborative brainstorming sessions to unlock the potential of international and domestic freight movements. Mohan Yadav,Chief Minister – Madhya Pradesh was the Special Guest at the event along with other dignitaries, including Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary (Logistics and Trade), DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Jivisha Joshi Gangopadhyay, Deputy Secreetary, DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At the ACFI Annual Conclave 2024, the air cargo community was invigorated as all relevant stakeholders came together, including airports, GSAs, carrier partners, shippers, regulators, policymakers, and government authorities. The event aimed to collectively shape a vision spanning from shippers to buyers and other stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem.The conclave brought together the entire Governing Board of ACFI, past presidents of the forum, and various stakeholders in the air cargo logistics and supply chain trade. This included senior government dignitaries, airlines, airport operators, cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, sales agents, other trade associations, and express industry professionals. Sharing his views, Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister – Madhya Pradesh said, “In this globally connected world, there is a crucial need for fast and efficient delivery, especially after COVID-19 which has taught us how unpredictable the future can be. Being the nation’s heart, Madhya Pradesh has been at the forefront of the logistics sector. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have undertaken several projects in roadways, expressways, and Vande metro. Earlier, it used to take months to travel abroad, but today with the help of air cargo we are able to deliver goods to the farthest corner of the world, benefiting businesses and society simultaneously. I hope Madhya Pradesh will soon have an Air Cargo like Delhi and we have initiated work in this regard with several industries. I extend my best wishes for the conclave and hope Madhya Pradesh will be able to contribute to bringing together the air cargo industry as a cohesive force.” Speaking at the event,Shri Piyush Srivasata, Sr. Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation said,“Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) is dedicated to building a world-class environmentally friendly air logistics industry that facilitates business and supports the aspirations of the new and advanced Viksit Bharat. Going forward, e-commerce and express delivery cargo will drive the future, making it crucial to maintain an airline clientele that is both high-value and low-volume. Additionally, stakeholders must remain cognizant and aware of optimizing processes and reducing turnaround times. Regulatory improvements have increased the ease of doing business and I strongly believe that the government will do what needs to be done to maintain this upward trajectory. As we leapfrog to achieve a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25, we need to adopt the best practices as per our need for rapid and sustainable growth of the Indian Economy.” The conclave covered three business sessions, capturing the possibilities, opportunities, challenges, and strategies within the air cargo sector to catapult India to become a developed nation.The sessions emphasized key topics–”Soaring Ambitions: Building India’s Air Cargo Capacity, paving way for a Developed India”, “Collaborative Horizons: Unlocking Customer Expectations” and “Future Skies: Transforming Air Cargo Through Technology, Innovation and Sustainability.”These were moderated by keyACFI Governing Board Members Mr. Sanjiv Edward, Mr. Satish Lakkaraju,andMr. Keku Bomi Gazder. Yashpal Sharma – President ACFI said, “A developed India requires significant advancement from our current state of growth. However, it is important to remember that this growth must be unanimous, driven by elevating skill sets, job opportunities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. The Indian aviation sector is poised to witness a 3X growth, leveraging the robust supply chain we have established. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, we must continuously innovate in our businesses and upskill our workforce. I truly believe that Air Cargo has the right potential and scope for empowering businesses worldwide. I am certain that this holistic approach will not only strengthens the industry’s current capabilities but also lay a strong foundation for future growth and success.” The ACFI Annual Conclave 2024 also featured a strong line-up of eminent speakers, including Peter Penseel, President, Delta Air Lines, Manoj Singh, Chief Cargo Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., Capt. Nikhil B. Ved, Managing Director, Blue Dart Aviation Ltd., Vishal Bhatnagar, Managing Director, Global Cargo Operations, Delta Air Lines, Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, IAG Cargo, Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director, Continental Carriers Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Tia Bhaduri Mohan, Director – Ocean & Air Transport Planning, Electrolux,Alok Kumar Singh, Director – Global Logistics & Warehouse, VVDN Technologies,Aram Lee, Country Head, Samsung SDS, Ramesh Mamidala, Head Cargo Commercial, Air India Limited, Mark Sutch, Chief Commercial Officer Cargo, Indigo, Yashpal Sharma, Managing Director, Skyways Group, A-lAnood Al-Suwaidi, SVP Cargo for Middle East, Africa and Asia Region, Menzies Aviation, Dr. Jivisha Joshi Gangopadhyay, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Halit Tuncer, Cargo Director South Asia, Turkish Airlines, Soham Chokshi, Chief Executive Officer, Shipsy, Mr. Zvi Schreiber, Founder and CEO, Freightos Group, as well as Kamesh Peri, Chief Executive Officer, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Private Limited. The ACFI Conclave focused on leveraging innovative technologies, integrating processes, adopting best global practices and accelerating the pace of change, and its business sessions will deliberate various opportunities, possibilities, challenges & action items for the Indian Air Cargo industry to get 10 Million MT by 2030-31. “The ACFI Annual Conclave 2024 served as a prestigious gathering of the most brilliant minds in India’s air cargo sector, offering a platform for addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges and exploring its most promising opportunities. This distinguished event showcased ACFI’s commitment to elevating the air freight industry by harnessing its inherent strengths, navigating the complexities of international

5th June 2024; New Delhi: SriLankan Cargo, the air cargo division of SriLankan Airlines, recently unveiled its reinvented service delivery framework and website, with a strong focus on customer experience. The new service model of SriLankan Cargo classifies service delivery under Freshness Class, Wellness Class, Precious Class and Guardian Class to ensure consistent and premium care for customers and their consignments. It also includes a 24/7 service hotline and a redesigned website for a better user experience. “We are excited to present our latest innovation – product verticals – that is the culmination of our collective focus, dedication and creativity in the pursuit of excellence in airfreight services. SriLankan Cargo is passionate about serving its customers even better by setting new standards, which when coupled with the innate warmth and friendliness of our people, create a service that rivals the best in class,” stated Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo of SriLankan Airlines. The four classes of service emphasize precision in activities throughout the airfreight logistics process. Freshness Class and Wellness Class focus on priority service, rapid connections and advanced cold chain management to conserve the freshness of perishable cargo and potency of medicine, respectively. Precious Class pledges to offer the highest degree of security for valuable and vulnerable cargo, and Guardian Class aims to provide all the comfort and care that pets and other animals need during air transportation. Customers can now reach out to the SriLankan Cargo team at any time of the day through the new 24/7 service hotline at +94197 33 3344, an integral feature of the new service framework. SriLankan Cargo will further provide regular tracking updates on shipments to customers. The redesigned website, another important element of the framework, aims to supply customers with all the information that they require for shipping decisions. From discovering the perfect flight schedule to easily calculating the chargeable weight by entering the dimensions of the consignment or making a request for air cargo charter services, the site promises to be the quickest information source for SriLankan Cargo products. “It is great to see the national carrier aggressively forging ahead with the introduction of these value-added products amid all the challenges that they are facing. I take this opportunity to wish SriLankan Cargo every success as they take off into the future,” expressed Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis.

Mumbai, 29th April 2024: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) recently declared its stats for cargo operations during FY 2023-2024. With a connection to over 700 cargo destinations this fiscal, CSMIA witnessed 6% year-on-year increase in the overall cargo volumes, marking a significant stride in economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. This boost was predominantly driven by a remarkable 10% surge in international cargo volumes. Notably, these volumes managed to attain an impressive 93% recovery comparing to their pre-COVID levels, indicating a robust resurgence in global trade and logistics activities. This fiscal year saw a 20% increase in the total number of Cargo Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). This achievement showcases the airport’s dedication to efficiently and flexibly managing the rapidly rising cargo volumes. CSMIA’s cargo facility manages a diverse array of goods, with pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and automobiles being among the primary categories. On the international scale, the top three categories transported are automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural cargo. Meanwhile, domestically, the leading cargo categories include General cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail. These categories underscore the airport’s proficiency in handling a wide variety of goods. The surge in e-commerce significantly impacted cargo operations at CSMIA. The festive season of Diwali noticed a notable 87% year-on-year growth in e-commerce shipments. The demand for perishable items also experienced a noteworthy increase. Mango exports were particularly prominent during the months of April to July 2023, accompanied by the export of seasonal cut flowers and chocolates during the Valentine’s Day period. Additionally, in a groundbreaking achievement, CSMIA successfully handled its inaugural shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using specialized va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam. CSMIA’s international cargo volumes comprised 56% exports and 44% imports. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and Amsterdam were the top global destinations for outgoing cargo, while Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad led domestically. Top International carriers handling cargo volumes from CSMIA included Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific, along with Indigo, Vistara and Akasa Air as top domestic carriers. This further reinforces the airport’s strategic position as a key facilitator in both international and domestic airfreight operations. To enhance the infrastructure and facilitate the adoption of advanced technology, MIAL is in process of building PEB (Pre-Engineered Building Structure) to enhance its cargo handling capacity in imports. In addition to these efforts, CSMIA has pioneered innovations in cargo operations, notably introducing the Air Cargo Community System, Adani MIAL Air Exchange (AMAX), the first of its kind in India. This system revolutionizes processes through SOPs, integrated systems, and digitization. Mobile apps like AMAX and Turant enable transparent, paperless, and digital operations, eliminating physical documentation for export consignments. Integrated processes like E-Airwaybill, e-carting order, e-CSD, e-delivery orders, and e-gate passes ensure efficiency. Additionally, CSMIA spearheaded the Air Cargo Community portal in India, enhancing operational efficiency and supply chain planning. The introduction of Digital Docket Delivery (D-Cube) for import gate pass system further streamlines online processing, reducing paper usage and cargo dwell time. With sustainability being an integral part of CSMIA’s operations, the airport has implemented various environmental sustainability initiatives such as LED lights, battery-operated cargo handling equipment, electric vehicles for staff movement, and solar panel installation to reduce electricity dependency, CSMIA has also prioritized the replacement of air conditioning units with lower GWP refrigerants. Furthermore, recent trends in the industry indicate a notable rise in air cargo volumes, largely attributed to challenges in container movement in the Red Sea. In Q4 of FY 2024, international cargo surged by approximately 22% compared to the previous year, showcasing air cargo’s adaptability in addressing supply chain disruptions and meeting market demands.

Seoul, 13th Sept, 2023: Korean Air will begin its full-scale digital transition to electronic air waybill (e-AWB) to replace conventional paper air cargo transport documents. The full transition will first apply to documents for general cargo departing from Korea bound for North America, Europe, Japan and other select markets. e-AWB is a digital replacement for traditional paper air waybills. Whereas paper air waybills require in-person visits for documentation, printing, and submission, the digital transition will streamline the entire process from reservations to final delivery. The transition will also enhance data quality and accuracy to allow the airline to share essential information more transparently. Simplifying processes and eliminating costs will also increase efficiency in the AWB framework. By going paperless, the airline will also be able to practice its ESG initiatives to make a sustainable impact. To minimize operational disruptions, Korean Air held consultations and completed trial operations with all stakeholders, cargo clients and forwarders. The airline will mandate e-AWB for Korea-outbound cargo starting from January 2024, and plans to expand the digital transition for all Korean Air Cargo departing from all global stations in due course. “Taking this digital step forward will bring an innovative paradigm to logistics, and we stand behind IATA’s effort to phase in e-AWB for air cargo digital transformation, ” said a Korean Air official. “We believe that Korean Air’s commitment to international industry initiatives will help raise Korea’s air cargo industry competitiveness.”

Jakarta, 5th Sept.2023: BBN Airlines Indonesia, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, that specialises in the provision of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance), air charter, and air freight services is the latest addition to Indonesia’s aviation industry. ACMI is considered relatively new in Indonesia, and there are very few service providers. With this expertise in hand, BBN Airlines Indonesia is expected to give an extra boost to support the ever-growing aviation needs in Indonesia. For the three services above, BBN Airlines Indonesia was awarded an Airline Operator Certificate issued by the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia on August 31st, 2023. The AOC was issued to BBN Airlines Indonesia upon successfully completing five stages of Pre-Application, Formal Application, Document Compliance, Demonstration and Inspection, and Certification; all of which complied with ICAO regulations and applicable aviation laws in Indonesia. By completing all certification stages, BBN Airlines Indonesia was declared qualified after having fully met all technical and safety requirements to be granted an AOC, and therefore can immediately conduct commercial flights. “The AOC is a testament to our serious commitment and readiness to support Indonesia’s aviation needs, in all sectors from airlines, tour operators, and cargo, to logistics. We have witnessed a high demand for aircraft provision, especially during high seasons such as Umrah, Haj, Eid, and other special holidays that result in a large surge in goods distribution, and we have conducted thorough research on that. This is why we are confident that this is an excellent opportunity for us to be able to give much-needed support to the airline, logistics, and tour operator companies so that, in return, they can give customers a fast, reliable, safe, and comfortable service,” says Martynas Grigas, Chairman of BBN Airlines Indonesia. Immediately following the issuance of its AOC, BBN Airlines Indonesia will operate a fleet consisting of two Boeing 737-800F specializing in air freight services. By the end of 2023, BBN Airlines Indonesia has set a target to operate a fleet of nine aircraft for air freight and passenger purposes. The commitment to get the aircraft fleet ready has been an important part that makes BBN Airlines Indonesia stand out among the other competitors in the ACMI field. “ACMI providers are still a rarity, especially in Asia. We are offering wet lease as well as mixed-crews or damp lease that can be custom tailored to the client’s specific needs. While the lessee gets an additional aircraft or more, the lessor gives a full guarantee on the airworthiness of the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and aircraft insurance. On the other hand, the lessee will be responsible for the other operational aspects such as fuel, and ground handling services,” says Mr. Grigas. The ACMI services provided by BBN Airlines Indonesia offer a full solution to the needs of Indonesian airline companies. Focusing on flexibility, reliability, and safety, BBN Airlines Indonesia offers a wide range of options from experienced crew, clockwork-like maintenance, and comprehensive insurance coverage needed by a partner company to run a safe and efficient operation. The second service offered by BBN Airlines Indonesia is air charter flights. This service directly answers the growing needs of travellers in Indonesia who have unique needs and requirements. In this case, BBN Airlines Indonesia will provide a service that can be custom-tailored according to the traveller’s need for a personalized trip purpose. Finally, air freight service is the third service offered by BBN Airlines Indonesia, which provides for the increasing volumes of e-commerce, in Indonesia and globally. The need for reliable delivery which covers a large area that spans from Sabang to Merauke requires quick and safe cargo aircraft. BBN Airlines Indonesia offers several route options and flexible schedules for business with competent and experienced third-party logistic companies ensuring fast and safe delivery.

Abu Dhabi,22.06.2023: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has welcomed senior leaders from China’s SF Airlines to Abu Dhabi to review the reciprocal block space agreement between the two airlines announced earlier this year and explore opportunities to expand it further based on Abu Dhabi’s strategic location. During the visit, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines entered into an expanded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cement their commitment to strengthening ties and further cooperating to increase cargo capacity between China and the rest of the world via Etihad Cargo’s hub in Abu Dhabi. In April 2023, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines signed a reciprocal capacity agreement to connect their respective networks. The new partnership saw the launch of two weekly freighter services between Abu Dhabi Airport and Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the Hubei Province of China and added a fourth Chinese gateway destination to Etihad Cargo’s expanding global network. The new flights have given Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers greater accessibility to 25 domestic Chinese destinations, including Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Nanjing. SF Airlines, via the agreement, has expanded its Middle Eastern footprint and benefits from Etihad Cargo’s global network for its express product, supporting the airline’s vision of growing its parcel delivery capabilities around the world. The new MoU, signed on 16 June 2023, expands the cooperation between the two airlines and strengthens their commitment to exploring additional opportunities to achieve mutual growth and expand their respective networks via the Abu Dhabi and Wuhan mega-hubs. Future plans include expanding cooperated flights to Ezhou Huahu Airport, China’s first cargo-focused airport. This move would make Etihad Airways the first international airline other than SF Airlines to operate flights to the airport. Under the new agreement, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will review the schedule of services between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan with a view to increasing frequencies, thereby ensuring the airlines can meet increasing capacity demands from customers and partners in the UAE, China and around the world. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said, “As the national carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways is committed to supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global logistics and express hub. The agreement between Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will contribute to achieving the emirate’s ambitious strategic plans. It was a pleasure to welcome such prominent visitors from SF Airlines’ leadership to the country’s capital. Etihad Cargo looks forward to expanding the agreement between the two airlines to not only benefit the partners and customers of both airlines but also broaden the strong ties between the UAE and China.” Li Sheng, Vice President of SF Group, Chairman of SF Airlines, said, “Working with Etihad Airways has been a significant milestone and achieved fruitful results. The elevation of two companies ties to a strategic partnership. By expanding this cooperation between SF Airlines and Etihad Airways, we will continue strongly supporting and improving both parties’ service capabilities, and provide global consumers with more convenient and reliable services.” While in Abu Dhabi, the SF Airlines’ delegation visited Abu Dhabi Airport’s new state-of-the-art terminal. Representatives from SF Airlines also visited the Etihad Aviation Training Centre and Etihad Engineering’s facilities.

14th June 2023, Auckland: Texel Air Australasia was officially launched from Auckland International Airport as New Zealand’s newest airline operating the B737- 800BCF. The airlines will add two additional B737-800BCFs to the fleet by December 2023. Texel Air, an established cargo airline and MRO based in the Kingdom of Bahrain, is expanding operations into Australasia with the B737- 800BCF, the industry benchmark aircraft supporting regional logistic operators.At present it operates Boeing 737 freighter aircraft from Bahrain International Airport with two B737-700FC aircraft, two B737-800BCF aircraft and one B737-300F aircraft. Texel Air was established in Bahrain in 2013 by Chisholm Enterprises WLL.The New Zealand operations increase the group fleet to six aircraft with further aircraft on order for delivery to New Zealand during 2023. It has been operating the B737-300F (A9C – APC) in New Zealand since 3 April 2023 under contract to NZ Post/Parceline Express in preparation for the arrival of the B737-800 (MSN 29985) ZK-TXE. The New Zealand operations have been supported by flight crew and engineers from Bahrain. The venture into Australasia initially commenced with domestic operations in New Zealand under contract for launch customers Parceline Express and NZ Post. Saturday 10 June 2023 marked the official launch of the New Zealand airline in Auckland. The event hosted by Boeing, was held in the NZ Post hangar where ZK – TXE aircraft was on display. In attendance during the evening were representatives from Government agencies, delegates from the aviation industry as well as major logistics companies from New Zealand and Australia. Joining those attendees were representatives of the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority. The Texel Air group plans to expand its fleet to ten aircraft by 2026 primarily flying in Australia and New Zealand and between the two countries supporting clients through ACMI services for the express, post and general cargo markets. Texel Air Australasia will benefit from a proven 10 years of operational experience from Texel Air Bahrain to establish an enduring and stable bond between the two distant island nations of New Zealand and Bahrain. John Chisholm, Chairman for Texel Air said “We are already very proud of our reputable and successful operation in Bahrain but to have the opportunity to replicate and launch an airline in my home country of New Zealand makes me even more proud. It is the culmination of my life’s work in the cargo and logistics industries in the Middle East. These next steps are sure to create employment opportunities and boost economic growth within New Zealand and Australia. This, of course, could not have been achieved without the long-standing relationship I have developed over the years with the Government of Bahrain, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication and the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs. I sincerely appreciate their continued support of our business development both locally and globally. The opportunity we have to host representatives of the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs at our launch, will initiate a permanent relationship with New Zealand’s aviation regulatory authority and in turn unfold further opportunities in the aviation and logistics sectors between the two countries.” George Chisholm, Director of Texel Air, said “Appreciation goes to our employees in both locations for their dedication and support to enable the growth and expansion of our company into a different region of the world.” He expressed excitement for the new opportunities the company has identified and looks forward to watching the development advance for many years to come.”

Delhi, 27th February 2023: Cathay is excited to announce the launch of Cathay Cargo, a rebrand of its cargo business, and a change of name from Cathay Pacific Cargo. The change aligns with the airline’s overarching brand redesign, and reinforces the existing strong brand association and perceptions held by its customers. Cathay Cargo aligns with the same purpose, vision and values of our master brand Cathay and all of its subsidiary brands, including Cathay Pacific, the passenger airline, and Cathay, the everyday lifestyle offering. Cathay Cargo is united behind Cathay’s vision to become one of the world’s greatest service brands, and plays an integral role in helping to fulfil that aspiration through its world-class air cargo network, which transports products that facilitate trade across the entire Cathay network and beyond. Shipping directly to more than 70 destinations worldwide, Cathay Cargo is committed to advancing the development of all destination countries served by Cathay’s more than 200 aircraft. Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said: “Cathay’s cargo business has played a vital role in the success of the Cathay Group since 1946, when we carried our first shipment between China and Australia. Our cargo services operate out of our home base of Hong Kong, which is also the world’s busiest international air cargo hub. “This is an opportune moment to align our cargo business with the master brand as we continue our cargo investments in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area for a promising future. This rebrand reflects our Cargo business’ commitment to the same ‘Move Beyond’ ambition as the Group, while building on a strength that the Cathay brand has long been known for – offering leading-edge services to our customers.” Reflecting this commitment to invest, Cathay Cargo has recently introduced a number of exciting refreshed solutions, including Cathay Priority and Cathay Pharma. Cathay Mail is scheduled for a refresh in March. These services cater to the respective burgeoning demands by customers for effective temperature-sensitive solutions, and efficient and reliable delivery solutions with new digital technology that better meets the requirements for shipment visibility, reliability and speed. Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Cathay Cargo continues to innovate new solutions, services and technology for customers as we build towards being one of the world’s greatest service brands. Continued investment in technology and logistics will solidify our position as a leading player in the industry.” Cathay Cargo has invested in technology in recent years. This includes Ultra Track, a multi-dimensional track-and-trace service that gives customers near-real-time information on the airport-to-airport leg of the shipment journey using low-energy Bluetooth data-loggers; and, Click & Ship, an intuitive online booking service available 24/7 with instant processing and confirmation. As part of its rebranding campaign, Cathay Cargo’s website has been revamped to reflect the brand ethos, and enable users to easily access popular features such as booking, track and trace, and flight availability, whilst also providing a clear showcase of recent campaign offers and featured solutions. The rebrand will connect Cathay Cargo to the master Cathay brand – a premium travel lifestyle brand offering a range of products and services that create more value for customers and partners. Cathay Cargo will have more exciting initiatives in the coming months as the company works toward a complete rebrand.

6th October 2022,New Delhi: IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG) hosted a roundtable at the JW Marriott Hotel in New Delhi to discuss key air cargo trends and business updates. Speakers included John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo, Yashpal Sharma, President of Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) & Managing Director at Skyways Group, along with Pratul Shekhar, Senior Director Airfreight at DSV. IAG Cargo recently conducted a global survey of freight forwarders and logistics industry professionals to get their thoughts on the future of the industry. This served as a focal point of discussion, highlighting trends in digitalisation and sustainability. The results showed that the Indian market has heavily adopted online booking as a way of booking air-cargo with 76% of respondents declaring it as their primary booking method, compared to only 46% globally. In sharp contrast, the global market still relies on email as their primary channel for booking freight (53%). The roundtable addressed these statistics in line with the digital advancements taking place and how the speakers are preparing their businesses to adapt to the fast-paced technological changes, which they believe will take place at an even quicker rate compared to pre-pandemic. Indian freight forwarders and logistics professionals appear to place greater importance on sustainability than their global counterparts. 78% of those surveyed in India responded that their business has a sustainability strategy (the global response was 67%) and 68% said they considered sustainability to be “extremely important” compared to 38% in the global audience. The speakers talked about how sustainability is informing their business decisions and how they see the industry progressing with SAF goals. The number one concern of those surveyed was talent attraction and retention. This was particularly pronounced with respondents in India with 46% naming it as their number one business challenge. John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo said, “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to engage with thought leaders of the industry in India, a region in which IAG Cargo has long since had a strong presence. We have gained some valuable insights which will be hugely beneficial and applicable to our operations around the world.” Yashpal Sharma, President of ACFI & Managing Director at Skyways Group added “It was an insightful and thought-provoking round table session with some of the most inspiring folks from the industry. We came together to deliberate and discuss how both sustainability & digitization are taking the front seats for making informed business decisions by organizations across the trade in the air cargo industry. The outcomes of the remarkable global survey on cargo trends conducted by IAG Cargo prior to the roundtable are really interesting. The findings indicate how people are supporting increased automation and digitization worldwide. It is heartening to see that Indian representatives actively participated in the survey and mentioned about the high benchmarks of digital automation being achieved, along with future expectations set in enterprises. Additionally, the need to attract the right talent and retain them has also taken prominence for enterprises, globally. It is our responsibility to come forward and help build greener and more sustainable means of operations as well as transactions. Coupled with digitization, innovation and the need to move away from legacy systems, each one of us can contribute to reducing the carbon footprints in our own way, for the air cargo industry”. Pratul Shekhar, Senior Director Airfreight at DSV commented, “Thank you IAG cargo for taking this initiative to bring in the industry leaders of logistics and supply chain to address the future of Air Logistics in terms of automation, digitalisation and sustainability. Like IAG cargo, DSV is also working towards making the world more transparent, automated and sustainable”. IAG Cargo also announced that its winter 2022 schedule is offering more weekly services in India than pre-pandemic, with 112 weekly flights servicing 5 Indian airports.

Abu Dhabi, 22nd Sept. 2022: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has advanced its sustainability journey by becoming the first Middle Eastern carrier to participate in The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) BlueSky programme. Following the March 2022 launch announcement of the air cargo industry’s first multi-sector sustainability verification programme and successful pilot programme, Etihad Cargo is one of the first participants to join the programme’s live operations. Other participants include organisations from airline, airport, ground handler, and general sales and service agents sectors. The first phase of the programme comprises an evidence-based desktop verification process in which participants can assess their progress against eight critical sustainability criteria, including decarbonisation, waste elimination, biodiversity protection, support for local economies and communities, impact on society improvement, efficiency and profitability, employee engagement, retention and development, and partnership building. Upon completion of the tailored assessment process, Etihad Cargo will receive a personalised dashboard which displays the carrier’s performance against the criteria. Later phases of the programme will include the option for a full onsite audit with an in-depth report that highlights areas for improvement. “Sustainability remains a key pillar of Etihad Cargo’s agenda,” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo. “Although the air cargo industry has historically been considered less sustainable than other methods of transportation, the sector is making great strides in developing more sustainable solutions and is investing in fleet modernisation, fuel efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel and carbon compensation initiatives. “Participating in TIACA’s BlueSky programme is just the latest step Etihad Cargo has taken to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The assessment process will enable Etihad Cargo to more effectively measure the carrier’s performance and track its sustainability progress as it continues on its sustainability journey, which will benefit Etihad Cargo’s customers and the wider air cargo industry.” Over the past year, Etihad Cargo has embarked on several green initiatives, which include replacing 3,000 containers from its original aluminium unit load device (ULD) fleet with environmentally friendly lightweight versions. On the average wide-bodied flight, utilisation of these lighter ULDs can provide a weight-saving of over 200 kilogrammes, which has lowered fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The carrier has also entered into a memorandum of understanding with B Medical Systems to develop and launch the world’s first airline-specific passive temperature-controlled solution for the transportation of life-saving drugs, vaccines and high-value pharmaceuticals. As these temperature-controlled container units utilise passive cooling technology, they do not require an external power source. They can retain temperatures from -80 to 25 degrees Celsius for five days while still significantly reducing carbon emissions.