‘In Rescue Mode’: Air Charter Service reflects on a busy response and relief cargo led 2023

Upamanyu Borah
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‘In Rescue Mode’: Air Charter Service reflects on a busy response and relief cargo led 2023

Leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, had the busiest year for emergency response humanitarian flights in 2023, with a number of natural disasters and civil unrest requiring aid and evacuations.

Ben Dinsdale, ACS’s Director of Humanitarian and Government Services elaborated, “There are humanitarian projects and development efforts that are constantly going on, but unfortunately, last year saw a higher number of occasions than usual where we have had to activate our specialist Humanitarian Task Forces around our global offices in response to an emergency.”

“The first notable humanitarian operation that we arranged charters for last year was in February, following an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale which struck Turkey, and was also strongly felt in Syria. By the following day, we had flown German and British search and rescue teams to the region, as well as an ACS representative to ensure the smooth operation of the charters that followed. In all we arranged charters for more than 2,000 tonnes of relief cargo to fly in, on a wide variety of aircraft, including Boeing 737s, 747s, 757s and 777s, Airbus A300s and A330s, and Ilyushin 76s. The cargo included shelters, tents, blankets, food and drink supplies, as well as the field hospital.”

In April, according to Dinsdale, following civil war breaking out in Sudan, ACS response teams in the US, Europe and Middle East were all called into action to evacuate people from the country. Following these evacuations, the specilist chartered aircraft over the next month to fly in a large amount of aid, for those displaced by the troubles.

Following the significant damage caused to Guam, the American territory in the Western Pacific, by Typhoon Mawar in June, ACS teams across our North American offices were asked to transport humanitarian cargo including generators, water tanks, tractors and trucks. A few months later, in August, wildfires started to spread across Hawaii. Again, ACS North American offices were put to an extremely busy schedule; flying in aid, as well as three charters with mobile phone towers to Maui.

In September, there were two major events in close proximity in a matter of days – first the Moroccan earthquake and then the floods following Storm Daniel in Libya a few days later. Very few charter flights were needed for Morocco, so attention became focussed on Libya, where we flew in more than 500 tonnes of aid, including shelter equipment, such as tarpaulins, tents and sleeping bags, as well as water purification tablets.

“This list by no means covers all of the emergency humanitarian charters that we did in 2023, but gives an idea of the breadth of charters arranged across the globe. Whilst the majority of the work in my role is supporting longer term relief and development projects, which is ongoing, I am proud that our skillsets can be put to good use in these emergency situations and help out in such tragic circumstances,” Dinsdale expressed.

MLL announces 1.1 lakh sq ft FC in Malda—its 3rd prime hub to steer Q-commerce delivery capabilities in the Eastern region

Upamanyu Borah
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MLL announces 1.1 lakh sq ft FC in Malda—its 3rd prime hub to steer Q-commerce delivery capabilities in the Eastern region

Broadening its footprint in West Bengal, Mahindra Logistics Ltd (MLL) will soon commence operations at a 1.1 lakh sq. ft. fulfilment centre in Malda city, around 340 km from Kolkata, dedicated to handling fulfilment and last-mile deliveries.

This FC will act as a critical cog in Mahindra Logistics’ supply chain network and supporting efficient and timely deliveries through end-to-end fulfilment and distribution capabilities. To supplement the extended final-mile distribution capabilities to be executed from the facility, MLL is adding 14 last-mile delivery stations within the city, which will enable it to service and reach out to approximately 15,000 households daily.

Tailored for grocery and e-commerce customers, the facility is a beacon of optimised deliveries with a daily processing capacity of 10,000 orders and an inventory capacity exceeding 15 lakh units; designed to meet and exceed the growing demands of the region. The establishment will generate over 750 job opportunities, including the 350 dedicated personnel for the last-mile network. Mahindra Logistics continues its commitment to diversity, aiming to fill 25% of the FC roles with women and individuals from the PwD and LGBTQIA+ communities.

This expansion is a cornerstone of MLL’s comprehensive logistics solutions integrating fulfilment, express, as well as mid-mile and last-mile services. The FC is strategically positioned to serve Northern West Bengal, Eastern Bihar, and parts of the Northeast. This expansion particularly enhances the company’s warehousing footprint in West Bengal to 3.3 lakh sq. ft. It will also support Mahindra Logistics’ dedicated trucking services like FTL and PTL, as well as integrated service offerings to nearly 2000 pin codes in the region.

Commenting on commencing operations, Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Logistics said, “Our new facility in Malda is strategically positioned in proximity to the demand centres servicing the customers through end-to-end fulfilment and last mile delivery solutions. It aligns with our vision of providing integrated supply chain solutions to our customers pan India as well as expands our operations in tier-II and III cities.”

“Adding to our facilities in Eastern India, this fulfilment centre symbolises our commitment to facilitate swift and dependable deliveries nationwide. We uphold the highest standards of service quality, guaranteeing streamlined operations for our esteemed customers as we strive to redefine the landscape of grocery and e-commerce logistics across the country. This facility is also in line with the government’s commitment to transform the eastern region and its people into powerful drivers of India’s economic growth,” he added.

Industry veteran Sunil Arora and team launches ‘One World One Network’ to herald a new epoch of collaborative prosperity in logistics

Upamanyu Borah
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Industry veteran Sunil Arora and team launches ‘One World One Network’ to herald a new epoch of collaborative prosperity in logistics

Committed to delivering seamless and efficient supply chain networking, One World One Network (1WN), a new-age business services solution platform was unveiled today in the capital. The service setup will be effective from March 01 with its mega launch in Dubai.

By reimagining networking and communication in an era of globalisation, 1WN seeks to simultaneously celebrate and prioritise the “one-ness” through its first-grade services, pushing the boundaries to make the world a more connected place and cultivating a new era of operational efficiency and reliability in logistics and supply chain management in today’s dynamic environment. 1WN will provide expert services and solutions using infrastructures that are built to last and designed to meet the precise requirements of any business.

Founded with a vision to transform collaboration, the global network unites a community of seasoned logistics professionals, helping elevate businesses by forging strategic relationships, thus efficiently making it ‘One world, One network’ for companies and enterprises in the logistics and forwarding industry, from big multinationals to medium and smaller-sized ones. This synergy will fuel a new wave of competitiveness and agility, enabling companies to redefine their operations, explore untapped avenues, and drive service innovation.

With air cargo industry veteran Sunil Arora at the helm – a seasoned logistics professional with comprehensive expertise in freight forwarding and customs clearance, who is also synonymous as an acknowledged leader initiating change and assisting advisory boards of various industry association bodies, 1WN will benefit from visionary thinking and inspiring leadership, making a profound and lasting impact.

Arora has fostered and led industry collaboration and pushed to modernise the industry over a career spanning 35 years, with an unstinted commitment to promote air cargo, passionately pursuing the cause. He has held various prestigious positions, such as being the President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) and the Air Cargo Club of Delhi (ACCD), alongside serving as a Senior Advisor to the Delhi Customs Broker Association (DCBA). Recognised for his contributions, he was honoured with the “Mentor of the Year 2018” award by India Cargo Awards and the “Logistics Industry Ambassador Award – 2023.”

Arora continues to actively work for the industry and involved with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Ministry of Commerce on bring contemporary issues to the table. He is also part of national organisations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and PHO Chamber of Commerce and lndustry (PHDCCI).

Sharing his thoughts on the momentous occasion, Sunil Arora said, “It’s all about logistics; in the sense that it’s a bit wider gamut. Earlier my experience in life has been more rotating towards freight, on the forwarding side. Now, with 1WN, it will be freight forwarding, brokerage, warehousing, then various verticals like express, projects, temperature, and dangerous goods. And then the IT platforms, who we are onboarding. So, it will be like an arena where the world of logistics can showcase its products and services, and I am very excited for the coming times. 1WN will offer single-window multinational, multidimensional advisory services across the world.”

“Subsequently, we will have 6 verticals, namely 1WN Global, 1WN Express, 1WN Projects, 1WN Temp, 1WN Dangerous Goods, and 1WN Personal. To give you an example, 1WN Express will be dedicated to e-commerce and express players across the world. Today, e-commerce is moving with only a few integrators majorly, but we will try to connect smaller players also, facilitated through our platform. Another very specialised segment is Dangerous Goods, which comes with abundant risks as it involves movement of critical nature goods, but is a high revenue earner for the logistics industry. Yet we don’t find many players in the country and across the world specialising or able to ensure efficient and reliable services. So, we will try to connect the best of the best in this business via our platform.”

Speaking extensively on the 1WN’s value-adding propositions, Arora said, “The primary idea is to bring in members, bring in people, bring in companies from around the world and help them do their networking, thereby developing their relations to work hand-in-hand. That is how we are planning to connect the word of logistics under one umbrella and facilitate business. From big enterprises and agents to medium and small entrepreneurs, we will on board businesses who are specialist in their verticals. Because, that is how the business of logistics work.”

“We will not only just connect them over a platform, we will also ensure that they are working amongst themselves. In case there are any impediments in between, we will try to take care of that also on a very personalised level. To give you an example, you might met 10 agents at a particular conference. You may be happy with the results, but if you are not satisfied, then we will connect you to another agent. Which products you are not able to service? Where you are not getting quotes? Where you are not getting solutions? Where is the displeasure or discontentment? We will take care of all of that on a personalised level.”

“Then comes the working modality, the best part is easy quotation. We will roll-out various formats, various dashboards, which will make it for very easy connectivity. We are implanting a feature where our agents can connect on our platform on a real-time basis. For instance, if an agent need to get something from Morocco, 1WN would instantly develop connection with another agent in Morocco, who is already enrolled in our platform. They get connected, quickly exchange the talks and works on the desired solutions. There will also be customised tools wherein agents can advertise, do their PR, and initiates their mileage gaining exercise on the 1WN platform.”

“The membership is going to be very very limited. Across the globe, we are targeting not more than 500 and in India not more than 25, to begin with. But then as we develop our verticals, we probably might expand,” Arora noted adding that they are going to select, choose and invite applications and very soon the platform will be rolled-out. “We are giving the finishing touches to the 1WN platform.”

“We will be headquartered in Dubai, UAE and our back-end operations will be out of New Delhi, India. We will set up our second office in Manila, Philipines within the next six months, or probably much earlier which will take care of our back-end operations in Southeast Asia.”

“This will be the only network in the world which will have a board of advisors who are subject matter experts and industry specialists. They will be from across the globe and not only from India, with broad and comprehensive experience of working for various airlines, air freight carriers, shipping lines, regulatory bodies, collateral governing bodies for travel trade, etc. These global experts will keep guiding us from time to time how to develop this platform, where to take it and of course, guide our members on the economic priorities and where the majority of the world is going from here onwards. There will be personalised meetings and those will be a regular feature.”

At the launch event, Sunil Arora was accompanied by Anju Gupta, Head of Corporate Communications and Amit Kumar, General Manager, 1WN.

“Sunil Arora requires no introduction to the industry, and I am so humbled to get an opportunity to ride alongside him and under his mentorship. I would sum it in a very few words that 1WN is going to bring a revolution in business networking when it comes to the logistics domain worldwide. I am very, very optimistic and under the leadership of sir, who is the CEO of 1WN, we are looking forward to an exciting journey,” said Amit Kumar.

Kerry Indev partners with world’s leading apparel and footwear brand to expand distribution capabilities in India

Upamanyu Borah
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Kerry Indev partners with world’s leading apparel and footwear brand to expand distribution capabilities in India

Kerry Indev Logistics yesterday announced signing a contract with one of the world’s major sports apparel and footwear manufacturer from USA.

“30,000 SKUs of various products imported via the Kerry Indev FTWZ will be stocked in Kerry Indev Gurgaon warehouse facility to cater for a pan-India distribution for this MNC brand,” the company was quoted mentioning in a LinkedIn post.

“Multi-tier racking system for pick and pack, scan, and easy distribution with advanced warehouse management system (WMS) from Hong Kong based Kerry Logistics Network has been set up for this global sportswear company,” the company added.

“We consider it as a great privilege to be associated with this renowned US sportswear manufacturer as logistics partner and will offer end-to-end solutions and services right from first- to last-mile distribution,” the leading Indian integrated logistics service provider further expressed.

Om Logistics expands footprint in Tamil Nadu with state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Chennai

Upamanyu Borah
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Om Logistics expands footprint in Tamil Nadu with state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Chennai

OM Logistics, the integrated logistics solutions specialist, today announced the launch of its new warehouse facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This strategic move is aimed at elevating connectivity and solidifying the company’s presence in the hub state and southern region.

The state-of-the-art warehouse facility, covering a floor area of 100,000 sq ft, is equipped with advanced and sustainable features to enhance operational efficiency and service quality. The facility is designed to offer top performance to keep pace with growing customer demand in the region with emphasis on speed, on-time delivery, and reliability in managing intricate supply chain operations.

With a focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, OM Logistics positions itself as a pivotal player in the logistics arena. By leveraging its vast network of transport hubs and warehouses, the company is able to maintain the agility to adapt to the ever-changing demands and ensure customers receive the highest levels of service efficiency.

Vinsum Logistics and Maruti Suzuki leads the charge towards a more sustainable future by operationalising TOT model

Upamanyu Borah
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Vinsum Logistics and Maruti Suzuki leads the charge towards a more sustainable future by operationalising TOT model

Vinsum Logistics, in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki, achieved a monumental milestone with the launch of the first Truck on Train (TOT) consignment at New Rewari Station on February 21, 2024. The historic event was graced by S D Chhabra, Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India and Vinod Sharma, CMD of Vinsum Logistics, who were on the ground to commemorate the momentous occasion.

The partnership between Vinsum Logistics and Maruti Suzuki is a crucial step forward in the implementation of Prime Minister GatiShakti’s National Master Plan (NMP) for multimodal logistics. It aligns perfectly with the broader vision of sustainable development outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

By transitioning towards a multimodal approach and harnessing the power of rail transport, Vinsum Logistics and Maruti Suzuki are setting a precedent for sustainable development in the industry. By leveraging the TOT model, both entities aim to revolutionise the transportation of goods, reduce carbon emissions, and foster the development of a green logistics ecosystem.

Etihad Airways welcomes Stanislas Brun to the role of Vice President– Cargo

Upamanyu Borah
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Etihad Airways welcomes Stanislas Brun to the role of Vice President– Cargo

Etihad Airways has appointed Stanislas Brun to the role of Vice President– Cargo. Brun will be responsible for Etihad Cargo’s commercial operations including scheduled and charter flights, revenue management and network planning. Brun will report to Etihad Airways’ Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Al Bulooki.

“I have every confidence that the passion and expertise Stanislas brings to this role will enable Etihad Cargo to continue the impressive growth trajectory it has achieved in recent years,” said Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Airways.

“Etihad Cargo has embarked on an exciting period of growth, innovation, adding more destinations, increasing frequencies and significantly growing the airline’s cargo operations both here in the UAE and internationally. The carrier will continue to play a crucial role in Etihad Airways’ ability to achieve these ambitious growth plans,” he added.

As the newly appointed Vice President Cargo of Etihad Cargo, Brun will oversee all facets of the cargo commercial operations, including revenue management and network planning.

Brun joins Etihad Cargo from Geodis, where his role was Senior Vice President– Global Airfreight. During that stint, he oversaw the global air cargo operations of the logistics and supply chain solutions provider.

Commenting on his appointment, Brun said, “It is a privilege to take on this new challenge at Etihad Cargo. The carrier has consistently demonstrated professionalism, agility and commitment to customer service excellence, which are very much aligned with my values. As the airline enters this next exciting period of growth, I look forward to working closely with the team, our partners and customers and continuing to deliver innovative end-to-end solutions so Etihad Cargo can remain the air cargo partner of choice.”

Al Bulooki continued, “I would like to thank Leonard Rodrigues, Head of Revenue Management and Network Planning, for his commitment and hard work during this transition period for the carrier. In his time as Acting Managing Director, Leonard has played a pivotal role in enabling Etihad Cargo to navigate challenging market conditions to deliver operational efficiencies, innovation and technology initiatives, and customer service excellence to partners and customers.”

PHDCCI’s Pharma and Healthcare Summit concludes with resounding call for collaboration, innovation, and commitment

Upamanyu Borah
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PHDCCI’s Pharma and Healthcare Summit concludes with resounding call for collaboration, innovation, and commitment

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organised the Medical Devices, Pharma and Healthcare Summit on February 17, 2024, at its New Delhi headquarters PHD House, with the theme of Empowering Atmanirbhar Bharat: A Logistics Odyssey

The summit aimed to bring together industry experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare sectors, fostering collaboration and innovation for the betterment of healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. It offered a diverse range of thematic sessions, attracting an impressive participation of over 30+ speakers, 10+ exhibitors, and 150+ delegates.

Dr Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, logistical hurdles included workforce shortages, border closures, and unpredictable market conditions.

“However, there were significant accomplishments, including improved communication networks, adaptable supply chain approaches, and the use of data analytics to enhance resource allocation, all of which facilitated the effective distribution of essential resources and support services,” he noted.

Former Secretary, DPIIT, N Sivasailam commended PHDCCI for being the pioneer industry body that swiftly initiated the necessary actions for transporting essential items within the first week of the COVID-19 lockdown. This proactive step set the precedent for others to follow in ensuring the smooth transportation of vital goods during the pandemic.

“There were notable successes, including swift adoption of new technologies, collective problem-solving, and the rise of inventive solutions to ensure the prompt delivery of critical goods and services,” Sivasailam highlighted.

Sumit Duggal, Co-Chair, Retail, E-Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee, PHDCCI in his opening remarks, emphasised the importance of addressing key themes and issues shaping the future of healthcare logistics in our country. He stressed the need to uphold principles of inclusivity and equity, highlighting that the country’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat should go beyond mere self-sufficiency to empower every individual and community, ensuring no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress and prosperity.

In his address, Madu Lokan, Executive Director, The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) – APAC underscored the critical need for government authorities, industry bodies, and associations like TAPA to prioritise and implement global standards certification and best practices.

“Through training and workshops, stakeholders can enhance the skills of the workforce to adapt to the evolving business landscape. This approach strengthens businesses and aligns with the shared goal of establishing a resilient, secure, and efficient supply chain for pharmaceuticals and medical devices,” he emphasised.

The summit in the Technical Sessions covered subjects such as:
•Bringing the Pharma Supply Chain into the New Era alignment with Atmanirbhar Bharat
•Combating Counterfeiting in the Pharma and Medical Devices Supply Chain
•Innovative Cold Chain Solutions for Medical Devices Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
•Last-mile delivery and Patient-Centric Supply Chains
•Data-Driven Procurement and Sourcing: Leveraging Analytics for Informed Decision-Making

In its Fireside Chat Sessions, the summit covered subjects such as:
•Quality Assurance in Pharma and Medical Devices – Then – Now – and the Way Forward
•Insights into the logistical challenges and triumphs experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic

The summit was moderated by Ajay Bansal, Senior Secretary, PHDCCI and sponsored by Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA – APAC), MOVIN Express and Icertis.

Vipin Vohra, Co-Chair of Aviation Committee, PHDCCI and Chairman of Continental Carriers Group of Companies felicitated Dr Ahirwar and Sivasailam for convening the proceedings of the summit and extending their valuable insights and experiences to the attendees..

air cargo India 2024 will catalyse ideas around multimodality by joining forces with CTL & BHP

Upamanyu Borah
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air cargo India 2024 will catalyse ideas around multimodality by joining forces with CTL & BHP

air cargo India, organised by Messe Muenchen, has emerged as a premier trade fair for the air freight industry, bringing together all the leading players from the community, including airlines, airports, cargo handlers, and many other GSAs and services providers like technology and IT systems developers, etc.

The 2024 edition, kicking off tomorrow at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai, goes one step further in stimulating growth of the industry by spotlighting multimodal solutions through the exhibition’s co-location with the CTL (cargo, transport, logistics) and BHP (break bulk, heavy lift, project forwarding) exhibition.

Both these powerhouse exhibitions at one destination promotes a multimodal approach for India’s fast developing logistics networks covering roads, railways, and waterways connectivity, in addition to air cargo. Therefore, this edition of air cargo India, co-located with CTL-BHP, will open the gates for the world’s largest exhibition for this industry in India – transport logistic – the world’s largest trade fair for multimodal logistic solutions.

transport logistic is held in Munich, Germany, every alternate year and attracts 2300+ exhibitors from all around the world. In India, the transport logistic exhibition will amplify the industry’s strengths by promoting best practices and knowledge sharing among key stakeholders.

With greater focus on key sectors like infrastructure development, food processing, and pharmaceuticals in the Interim Budget 2024, India is likely to emerge as an important export hub in the global economy. This reinforces the need for world-class transport and logistics solutions to keep pace with the expanding volumes of EXIM trade along established and newer trade routes.

One of the key highlights of air cargo India is the content focussed and knowledge rich conference programme, produced in association with the STAT Media Group. The conference sessions at this edition will delve deeper into the aspects of capacity expansion, sustainability initiatives, digitisation, and other technology solutions for higher volumes of trade in pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and many other segments. The two-day conference schedule will bring together 50+ globally acclaimed speakers, industry veterans and thought leaders, in addition to 600+ conference delegates from 50+ countries.

About the upcoming edition, Bhupinder Singh, CEO, Messe Muenchen India says, “India’s ambitious goal of reaching US$2 trillion in exports by 2030 hinges on building a worldclass logistics network to complement existing investments in infrastructure expansions such as the launch of new airports, seaports, highways, industrial corridors, dedicated logistics parks, etc. Additionally, we are also witnessing widespread investments to build on India’s digital capabilities and skill development for the air cargo and transport logistics sectors.”

“This edition of air cargo India will continue these dynamic conversations around multimodal transport, with a special emphasis on the sustainability initiatives of the air cargo industry. We look forward to the exchange of exciting ideas at the conferences and celebrations at the networking sessions and awards evening. Therefore, we invite maximum participation from the air cargo and logistics ecosystem, and we look forward to enabling more meaningful handshakes; unlocking business opportunities throughout these three days and beyond.”

Regarding the focus on multimodality at this edition, Dr Robert Schönberger, Global Industry Lead transport logistic exhibitions at Messe München GmbH says, “We are truly delighted to offer our customers a multimodal experience at this edition, and we expect these co-located exhibitions to unlock new business opportunities across India’s vast logistics landscape, including air, sea, rail, and road connectivity.”

“This 10th anniversary edition will be a milestone not only for air cargo India but also for all our clients and partners from the Indian and global logistics community. Therefore, we hope to see more energising ideas, innovations, and collaborations at this edition that will serve as a powerful launchpad for transport logistic India.”

Lufthansa Cargo honours top agents in New Delhi as India network and capacity growth gets momentum

Upamanyu Borah
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Lufthansa Cargo honours top agents in New Delhi as India network and capacity growth gets momentum

Lufthansa Cargo, the cargo division of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, honoured its top performing cargo agents in recognition of their contribution to the airline’s impressive growth at a function held yesterday evening at Roseate House, New Delhi. Top performers were listed from the New Delhi hub.

Certificates of appreciation were handed out to the freight agents by Lufthansa Cargo CEO Ashwin Bhat. Galaxy Freight received the accolade for being the top agent under the td.Zoom (top-priority and time-sensitive shipping) segment, Penta Freight under the active pharma category and Nippon Express in the passive pharma shipments segment, while ASR Freight, C.H. Robinson India and United Worldwide Couriers were honoured under the general cargo shipments services category.

“Our success hinges not just on numbers but on the relationships we foster and the service we provide. It’s the dedication of our team in Delhi and across the globe that truly keeps the flag of Lufthansa Cargo flying high. So, to our valued partners, we extend our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support and collaboration,” said Bhat.

“Our commitment to India is unwavering, and we’re here for the long-haul, ready to expand wherever we can facilitate global business, always staying aligned with market demands and product innovation,” he expressed.

“In India, particularly in Delhi, there’s a palpable sense of growth and ambition permeating the air. The atmosphere here is electrifying, with growth reaching double digits. At Lufthansa Cargo, we’re fully committed to seizing these opportunities. Whether it’s through strategic freighter operations or seizing market opportunities, our goal remains clear: enabling global business. With your support, we’re determined to fuel the growth of global trade and business,” Bhat added.

“While our passenger belly operations thrive across South India, we aim to reclaim our former glory in Delhi and Mumbai. We appreciate the support of our colleagues and business partners, and their recognition of us as a network carrier and that we’re here for the long-haul. We aim to reignite these partnerships and continue delivering exceptional service,” said Shankar Iyer, Head of Sales and Handling – South Asia, Lufthansa Cargo.

“While our recent milestone of hitting 110 tons on a freighter may seem incidental, it underscores our commitment to this market and our determination to overcome any challenges together. With our fantastic team and robust infrastructure, I have no doubt that we will rise to meet every challenge and exceed expectations,” he added.

Lufthansa Cargo is operating freighters to and from key Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. This is in addition to the belly cargo capacity of 64 weekly flights to its Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna hubs in Europe and onward connections to the biggest network on the European continent.

The airline also offers its unique products like time-critical and top priority shipping solutions to Indian customers, such as td.Zoom, td.Pro and td.Flash, thereby providing customers comprehensive choice in terms of speed, transit times, and to choose a price-performance ratio that meets their individual needs. These services can be used in conjunction with the carrier’s existing services, such as general cargo, dangerous goods and emergency and customers can book add-on services such as sustainable choice to reduce CO2 emissions.

In addition to the recently expanded A321F service on short and medium-haul routes, Lufthansa Cargo, the 16th-largest airfreight carrier by volume, offers 83 weekly connections with currently 16 Boeing 777 freighters to intercontinental destinations and markets the belly capacities of more than 6,000 flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines and SunExpress.

The carrier’s fleet is expected to grow to 18 B777 freighters by the end of the winter flight schedule and another freighter may be added soon between Delhi and Frankfurt, with a steadfast commitment to linking India to the world.

Unarguably, Lufthansa Cargo recognises India’s robust economic growth, rising e-commerce activities, and the need for reliable transportation solutions. By offering enhanced freight capacity, the carrier aims to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and support the country’s burgeoning import and export industry.

Lufthansa Cargo operates 11 aircraft under its own brand. Five aircraft are chartered from AeroLogic, a joint venture with DHL Express, and operated by AeroLogic on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo.

Reportedly, the largest carrier in the Indian market is currently Aerologic with 14 per cent share of the market.

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