CARGOCONNECT JULY2024 - Flipbook - Page 17
AIR FREIGHT : FOCUS
According to him, these collaborations
enhancements at pivotal airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore,
are instrumental in fostering a cohesive and
and Hyderabad. “These developments include the construction
future-ready air cargo ecosystem in India.
of dedicated cargo terminals, upgrades to cold chain facilities,
“India has set an ambitious target to
and the implementation of automation and
handle 10 million tons of air cargo per year by
digitalisation initiatives. Such improvements
2030,” avows Manish Patel, VP- Operations
are designed to boost efficiency, reduce
at DHL Express India. “This goal aligns
turnaround times, and e昀昀ectively handle the
with the necessary growth rate for our
increasing demand for air freight services,”
economy during this period. With a thrivKamesh puts across.
ing domestic economy, rapidly expanding
Thirdly, Kamesh highlights recent
e-commerce volumes, and robust sectors like
innovations such as autonomous vehicles,
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and perishparticularly drones, which o昀昀er groundables, coupled with signi昀椀cant investments
breaking solutions for e昀케cient and costin infrastructure and development, along
e昀昀ective cargo deliveries. Additionally, he
with supportive government policies such
emphasises that advancements in warehouse
as the National Logistics Policy, GatiShakti,
automation technologies are enhancing
and UDAN, we are well-positioned. However,
the speed and e昀케ciency of cargo handling
achieving this target will require concerted
processes. “Together, these innovations
e昀昀orts and persistent hard work.”
signify a transformative shift towards
Patel emphasises that ongoing devela resilient, efficient, and competitive air
opment plans are signalling significant
logistics ecosystem,” Kamesh summarises.
The expansion and modernisation of airport
growth in India’s air cargo industry. These
infrastructure are fundamental. Major airports
include expansions at existing airports,
such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are
construction of new ones such as India’s
undergoing significant upgrades to increase
largest cargo terminal in Noida and Navi
cargo handling capacities. These expansions
Mumbai International Airport, dedicated
include the construction of dedicated cargo
freight corridors, investments in automation,
Air freight plays a crucial role in driving the
terminals equipped with state-of-the-art
and supportive policy measures.
rapid expansion of e-commerce operations,
technology for faster processing and improved
“The construction of India’s largest cargo
relying on e昀케cient logistics solutions, includefficiency. Additionally, the implementation of
terminal in Noida and the Navi Mumbai
ing reverse logistics, to optimise market
the National Air Cargo Policy Outline (NACPO)
International Airport are progressing, poised
activity. With advancements in information
by the Indian government aims to create a
to revolutionise air cargo handling,” notes
technology and improved end-to-end visstructured and efficient framework for the air
Patel. He highlights that upcoming regional
ibility across supply chains, reverse logistics,
cargo industry. The policy focusses on develairports will enhance connectivity not only
essential for managing product returns
oping air freight stations, integrating cargo
for commercial 昀氀ights but also for air cargo
and exchanges, is expected to experience
hubs with multimodal logistics parks, and
operations. Private sector involvement in
substantial growth. Consequently, air cargo
simplifying customs procedures to expedite
expanding infrastructure, exempli昀椀ed by
remains indispensable in enabling swift
cargo movement.
DHL Express’ expansion of the Delhi gateway,
and dependable transportation, meeting
KEKU BOMI GAZDER
is pivotal in managing escalating volumes.
the evolving demands of modern commerce
Managing Director and CEO,
Patel underscores the role of government
e昀昀ectively.
Aviapro Logistic Services
policies in addressing capacity challenges.
Many market players are now providing
He mentions that initiatives like the UDAN
direct-to-consumer (D2C) routing options,
scheme, which enhances regional connectivbypassing traditional distribution centres to
ity and facilitates air cargo movement across India, are crucial.
deliver goods directly to customers’ homes
Additionally, the ‘open sky’ policy renewal enabling foreign
or businesses. This approach allows retailers
cargo airlines to operate from all international airports is seen
to expedite the movement of goods from
as instrumental in achieving India’s air freight handling targets.
overseas factories directly into the hands
Furthermore, Patel acknowledges e昀昀orts by the Airports
of consumers faster than ever before. Furthermore, companies
Authority of India (AAI) and industry bodies in launching
have access to comprehensive services, such as door-to-door
skill development programmes. He 昀椀rmly believes that these
shipping and specific regional pick-up and drop-off options.
initiatives will play a crucial role in cultivating and deploying
These advantages in e昀케ciency and cost savings, facilitated by
a skilled workforce capable of meeting the increasing demands
e-commerce, have led to a dramatic surge in competition among
of the air cargo sector.
carriers. This competition is fuelled by the proliferation of online
Kamesh Peri, CEO of Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Managemarketplaces and spot booking sites, leveraging advancements
ment, highlights three key facilitators driving advancements in
in digital technologies to vie for dominance.
the air cargo sector.
Simultaneously, when assessing the current state of the air
Firstly, he emphasises the reintroduction of the Open Sky Policy
cargo sector, it’s crucial to acknowledge the profound impact of
for foreign cargo carriers, which allows international airlines to
technological advancements on its evolution. For instance, digital
operate from multiple airports across India. According to Kamesh,
platforms are gaining popularity as they connect shippers directly
this policy change is poised to alleviate congestion at major hubs
with carriers. These advancements enable companies to leverage
and promote a more competitive and robust air cargo industry.
more e昀케cient tracking systems and bene昀椀t from reduced costs
Secondly, he underscores the importance of infrastructure
due to faster transit times. Furthermore, digital tracking systems
Making the Most of the
E-commerce Boom
CARGOCONNECT JULY 2024 | 17
