AIR CARGO

10th ACFI annual event fuels the collective mission to achie...

10th ACFI annual event fuels the collective mission to achieve 10 MMT of air cargo by 2030

Admin May 11, 2022 0

Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) organised its 10th annual event yesterday, on May 10, 2022. The theme was “10 Million: Vision 2030; Stimulating, Scaling, Steering Air Cargo”. Dignitaries who graced the event were, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation; Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Minister of Civil Aviation; Cyrus Katgara, President, ACFI; Yashpal Sharma, Vice President, ACFI; besides Arvind Aggarwal, Arun Sharma and other top dignitaries of AFCI, as well as representatives of the cargo industry.

Introduction
The theme ‘10 million Vision 2030- Stimulating, Scaling and Steering Air Cargo’ is the vision of Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, to reach the figure of 10 million metric tonnes of air cargo from the current 3.14 metric tonnes. The dedication and enthusiasm to achieve the target is immense.

During the last two years of COVID, the domestic air cargo sector has emerged as a promising area for Indian aviation. In this period, airlines have witnessed 520% increase in cargo revenue. As of today, India’s air cargo revenue stands at INR 2,000 crore with 3.1 million metric tonnage, with a CAGR of 13%. Today, India has approximately 21 international and 35 domestic cargo terminals.

Cyrus Katgara, President, ACFI commented:
Changing the theme of the event, I would like to introduce everyone present here as different parts in the process of filmmaking. The sponsors are the producers, of which Yashpal Sharma is a part as he is supposed to execute the idea and Arvind Aggarwal is the Director. This event is, however, bound to be a blockbuster event as we have a superhero amongst us, Hon'ble Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. He has been actively hustling around, visiting all those 141 airports present in India. There has not been a single day when he has not visited an airport. In fact, he has just come from Bhopal. He is not just a minister-on-the-wheels but he is minister-on-the-air, always flying around.

We must acknowledge the achievements of Mr Scindia that he has achieved in such a short time. One of which is the reduction of VAT in 13 states, from the earlier 25-30% to just 1-5%. Of course, we would like Mr Scindia to cut down the GST on aviation fuel. Well, it is a herculean task, we all know. He is looking after all the airlines. He knows that the airlines are the roosters that lay golden eggs for the national economy. Terminal operators, freight forwarders – all of them depend on airlines and hence, the airline industry must be maintained healthy. These stakeholders have high investments, white body aircrafts to compete globally. For every new 100 jobs in aviation, they create 600 more indirect jobs. Aviation sector contributes 3.5% to the GDP. Mr Scindia is the only aviation minister who has been at Delhi Airport, taking a walk around the cargo terminals. That simply shows his enthusiasm for air cargo. Under his leadership, we are proud to announce that Delhi International Airport is now the second busiest airport in the world.

Keeping in line with the expected boost of manufacturing and consumption, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has set an impressive and solid target of 10 million tonnes for the Indian air cargo industry by 2030. Now, the industry has to push towards this target with collective dedication, as the task is huge.

The CAGR is going to be 13% per year. Today, the CAGR is about 7%, and to get to 13%, everyone has to put in their chips.

We pledge on behalf of ACFI to collaborate and promote air freight as the preferred mode of transportation so that it actively contributes to the growth of India’s GDP by achieving the mentioned target of 10 million metric tonnes of air cargo by 2030.

Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation remarked:
Air cargo had started as an underdog during the difficult COVID times, but the industry was able to adapt and change to the new environment. During times of COVID, we have rapidly expanded from having seven cargo freighters to 28 cargo freighters in a short period of three years.

To achieve the target of 10 million metric tonnes of cargo, the industry players need to focus on transportation of smaller cargo loads from tier II and III cities to metros, which can be achieved by acquisition of smaller size aircrafts. To give you an example, today, Jackfruit from Tripura is finding markets in the UK and Germany while King Chillies and Lemon from Assam are now being supplied to London. This is a classic example of A2A, i.e. Agriculture to Aviation, the link of two seemingly unrelated sectors being linked due to air infrastructure being made available to remote areas in the country. To further facilitate all of this, we are also establishing 33 new domestic cargo terminals by 2024-2025 which will allow our cargo sector to flourish and grow.

Additionally, Ministry of Civil Aviation will be spending close to INR 98,000 crores over four years in terms of setting up new Greenfield airports and expansion of existing Brownfield airports. Out this, INR 62,000 crores will be invested by private sector and INR 36,000 crores will be invested by the centre through AAI. The government, through AAI, will expand 42 Brownfield airports and setup three new Greenfield airports. Meanwhile, the private sector will expand seven existing Brownfield airports and setup three new Greenfield airports including Navi Mumbai, Jewar, and Mopa.

In the meantime, we need to work on ease of doing business in cargo sector by making processes paperless, adapting automation, digitalisation which can make cargo processing swift.

Piyush Srivastava, Sr Economic Adviser, Ministry of Civil Aviation expressed:
The event today with the vision of 2030 is truly a very remarkable one. As we know, the civil aviation industry is basically a multiple sector regulator and multiple stakeholder industries and the stakeholders are oftentimes in conflicting positions. So, it is very important that everyone should be on the same page as far as the common vision is concerned. The vision has to be contextual with respect to where we stand today.

As we all know, the last few years have been very hard for the industry. The civil aviation sector has been the worst affected. The overall aviation sector was chasing a double digit growth for quite some time, before the outbreak of COVID. Surprisingly, the air cargo arrived as the knight in shining armour, not just for the citizens by supplying vaccines, PPE kits, oxygen concentrators and various other medicines, but also for the civil aviation sector as many of the airlines would belly-up, had it not been for the air cargo sector which was clipping around at a good pace, even at the peak of COVID. 25 lakh tonnes of cargo was ferried which included all life saving things as I just mentioned. So, the point that I am trying to make here is that cargo is going to be at the centre stage of the aviation sector, and there are two recent news items that came out. The Delhi International Airport has become the second busiest airport in the world. The second news item is about our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the expatriate Indians in Europe, recently. He exhorted all the expatriate citizens to convince at least five foreigners to visit India in the current year. Believe me, this is going to be a reality sooner than later, and once this happens, this will open up the floodgates for the aviation sector.

Talking in the context of air cargo, 85% of the global cargo is ferried on the belly of the passenger planes. So, if there is going to be an explosion of passenger traffic into the country, it is natural that cargo traffic will also grow at the same pace. And, once this happens, it will create demand for more infrastructure, which would in turn invite more investment. This is going to be a virtuous circle, further increasing the growth rate of the aviation sector. In a spin-off to this, I believe will be the growth of the MRO sector, the manufacturing (leasing and financing as well).

So, we are in for a very good time. Decision makers, stakeholders, cargo movers, and everyone who had connected with us both offline and online are well aware that the Ministry of Civil Aviation does not believe in reactive administration. We believe in proactive administration. Our friends and various other associations that represent the cargo industry have been meeting us at various levels, and most of the time, in person with me wherever they are faced with any grave problem or issue. In this process, various issues have been noticed by us policy makers and also our Hon’ble Minister Mr Scindia, and we have taken pledges to look into all of that.

I can recall in the last seven to eight months that I have worked with the Ministry, a laundry list of around 33 items were brought to our notice which were sieved and distilled and finally, at the level of our Hon’ble Minister Mr Scindia, we are now down to three crucial issues, which we are pursuing relentlessly: one is the reduction of area requirement for FTWZ, second is single bond and faceless and paperless customs clearances, and third is the presence of the PGS at airports. I am positive that we will yield positive results and deliver them to you, very soon, under the Hon'ble Minister Mr Scindia’s leadership.

We will pull all stops that are coming in the path of progress as hindrances in this sector. I am sure you people, with your experience, your foot on the ground and hand on the impulse of the sector, will come up with constructive ideas – thinking like the citizens of this country and produce ideas that will leverage the entire air cargo sector. To borrow a phrase from the Marine Industry, they say that when the tides are up, all boats rise. So, thinking within and around these lines always helps. When we give an idea, it should be for the betterment of the entire cargo sector and the country, such that all the players and all the industries are interdependent and grow together.

Popular post
Changi Airport sees 16% increase in air cargo volumes in Q2

Singapore Changi Airport experienced a significant boost in air cargo volumes for the second quarter of 2024, handling 485,000 tonnes of airfreight from April to June. This represents a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth is attributed to robust shipment flows between Singapore and major markets including the US and China. Changi Airport Group highlighted that the increase was seen across all cargo categories—exports, imports, and transhipments. The airport’s top five air cargo markets for the period were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, and the United States. In the year-to-date, Changi Airport has processed a total of 960,000 tonnes of airfreight. The first quarter of 2024 also saw strong performance, with 475,000 tonnes handled, driven by high transhipment activity, particularly with China. Key sectors contributing to the cargo throughput include pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and advanced materials like semiconductors. Notable airlines operating cargo flights at Changi include Spice Express, Tasman Cargo Airlines, Atlas Air, DHL Express, and Singapore Airlines, which collaborate on cargo operations. As of July 1, Changi Airport boasts 94 airlines operating over 6,900 weekly scheduled flights, linking Singapore to 158 cities across 50 countries and territories globally. This extensive network supports Changi’s role as a major international cargo hub. The airport’s continued growth in air cargo volumes underscores its importance as a critical logistics and transportation hub in the global supply chain.

Maersk expands footprint in Bangladesh with 200,000 sq ft custom bonded warehouse at Chattogram

AP Moller – Maersk is strengthening its operations in Bangladesh, where it has been serving the country and its exporters connect to the global market for almost three decades. Bangladesh has been one of the most important sourcing markets for the garments and apparel industry worldwide. The garment manufacturers exporting to global markets have significantly contributed towards building the country’s economy. Despite the impressive growth of garments exports from Bangladesh, the number of warehouses in Chattogram have not increased since 2012, with the sole exception of ISATL that became operational in 2018. Optimising utilisation of available capacity assisted to an extent, however it did not scale enough to meet the trade’s requirements. The logistics ecosystem and the Chittagong Port get stretched, particularly during the peak seasons. In 2021, a fallout of this structural challenge was felt by all the stakeholders involved in EXIM trade when the Container Freight Stations (CFSs) got clogged with cargo resulting in delayed clearance, stuffing and consequently dispatch of containers to the port. Delay in offloading cargo also led to longer truck waiting time, and delay in dispatch of containers to the port, consequently resulting in lack of overall productivity. These challenges have serious consequences on the overall economy of the country given the fact that the Chittagong Port handles in excess of 90 per cent of the total containerised trade to and from Bangladesh. Recognising these challenges, Maersk Bangladesh has partnered with Ispahani Summit Alliance Terminal Limited (ISATL) to build a 200,000 sq ft custom bonded warehouse. ISATL are pioneers in constructing and operating warehouses and CFS and operate four CFS within Chattogram and the River Terminal at Dhaka. Under the scope of this partnership, ISATL will construct a brand new custom bonded warehouse within the existing premises of the facility located at Pathortoli in Chattogram. The new warehouse will double the existing capacity at ISATL and add around 8 per cent additional space to the existing ecosystem at Chattogram. The construction of the new CFS has already commenced and is expected to be completed in a phased manner by the end of 2022. Bangladesh’s exporters and their overseas buyers will be able to start using the facility from July 2022, once the first phase of construction is completed. “Maersk’s commitment to connect and simplify our customers’ supply chains means that we look at long term solutions for problems such as the longstanding congestion within the ecosystem. We tackled the situation in 2021 by deploying an additional vessel for evacuating export loaded containers,” said Angshuman Mustafi, Managing Director, Maersk Bangladesh. “The solutions provided immediate relief to the ecosystem, but there was a need for a comprehensive solution to optimise ocean shipping, port handling and inland logistics that would benefit trade in the long term. By partnering with ISALT, we are establishing a facility that has the potential to partially decongest the system from the landside and streamline the flow of cargo in and out of Bangladesh.” Apart from adding capacity, the facility will offer several other benefits to Bangladesh’s exports. Amongst others, the new facility is being built by benchmarking international best practices when it comes to safety and other compliance guidelines. It will be modern multi-storeyed facility in Chattogram which will have storage at G+2 levels, thus making optimal use of available space to maximise the capacity. There will be an option to offer pallets for all operations, thereby improving the overall operational efficiency. Maersk will also offer customers Garment on Hanger facility, sorting, product audit, labelling, bar code and RFID scanning amongst others. “We are proud to partner with Maersk on this exciting long term project where ISATL’s extensive local experience combined with Maersk’s international best practices will allow us to create a truly world-class facility that will help raise the standards for the entire industry,” said Yasser Rizvi, Managing Director, ISATL.

Mundra Port faces significant congestion, impacting Indian trade

Indian importers and exporters are grappling with significant cargo delays at Mundra Port, the country’s leading container trade hub. Local trade sources have voiced serious concerns about the worsening congestion at Mundra’s container terminals in recent weeks. "The terminals at Mundra now seem to be hugely congested, and the pendency has increased to levels affecting the normal movement of boxes between CFSs and terminals," stated the Container Freight Station Association Mundra in a complaint. The association added, "All the efforts put in by CFSs are not witnessing any improvement, but are rather finding that the situation is deteriorating further." A recent change in the process of issuing port entry permits for freight vehicles by the port authority has been identified as a major source of frustration. According to freight station owners, truckers are experiencing longer waits to move containers due to difficulties in securing entry permits promptly. "Vehicles are stranded on the road for hours together because of this. A corrective measure needs to be discussed with our members and worked out so as to ensure that movement continues without any hassles," explained the CFS association. The congestion has also frustrated container rail operators, as ICD (inland container depot) volumes constitute a significant portion of Mundra’s trade. The Association of Container Train Operators (ACTO) noted in a trade advisory, "There has been increased congestion at Mundra Port due to delays in effectively evacuating import containers in FIFO [first-in, first-out] sequence on time, despite trains being provided for clearance by container train operators [CTOs]." ACTO indicated that Indian Railways has restricted double-stack loading to expedite train evacuation from the port, resulting in additional ground rent charges for traders. Mundra, Adani Ports’ flagship entity, managed 7.4 million TEUs in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 15% increase over Nhava Sheva Port. With volumes rapidly expanding, the Adani Group is considering further investment to enhance capacity. "We continue to invest heavily in the business to drive growth, particularly in the logistics segment," stated Adani in a recent announcement.

Lufthansa Cargo offers new belly cargo capacity on numerous routes

Lufthansa Cargo has recently expanded its offerings, providing customers with new belly capacities on several attractive routes. Since the start of June, passengers and cargo alike can benefit from direct connections to various destinations, enhancing global connectivity and trade opportunities. Direct flights to North America, including routes from Frankfurt to Minneapolis (MSP) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) with Lufthansa Airlines, are now available for booking. Additionally, from the Lufthansa Cargo hub in Munich, new connections to Seattle (SEA) three times a week, and daily capacity to Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) are being offered. Austrian Airlines has also introduced a new route, connecting Vienna with Los Angeles (LAX). Discover Airlines has expanded its services from Frankfurt to Halifax (YHZ) and Anchorage (ANC), further widening the reach of cargo transportation. Moreover, Lufthansa Cargo has introduced freighter capacity to Dubai World Central (DWC), providing customers with additional options for handling larger cargo items or special freight. This new service complements the existing belly service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and offers enhanced flexibility and efficiency in cargo transportation. With a commitment to enhancing global connectivity and trade facilitation, Lufthansa Cargo continues to innovate and expand its service offerings. These new routes and increased capacities underscore Lufthansa Cargo's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its customers in a rapidly changing global market.

PM Modi inaugurates 77-kilometer-long section of WDFC

In a momentous event today, PM Modi inaugurated a 77-kilometer-long section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), marking a significant milestone in India's ambitious infrastructure development efforts. The inauguration ceremony, held in the presence of key dignitaries and government officials, showcased the country's commitment to enhancing its transportation network. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a game-changing project that aims to revolutionize India's freight transportation sector. The newly inaugurated 77-kilometer section connects key industrial regions, providing a dedicated pathway for the efficient movement of goods. With this achievement, India takes a major step towards reducing logistics costs, boosting manufacturing, and improving the overall economy. PM Modi, while addressing the audience, emphasized the importance of this project in promoting economic growth, generating employment, and reducing the carbon footprint. He noted, "The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a testament to India's vision for a modern and efficient transportation system. It will not only enhance our connectivity but also make us a global logistics hub." The event was attended by several Union Ministers and top officials from the Ministry of Railways, underscoring the government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the country.

Air Cargo

View more
Union Budget 2025-26 strengthens logistics, air cargo, and infrastructure

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, underscores the government's commitment to strengthening India's logistics and supply chain infrastructure. Building upon previous initiatives, the budget introduces several key measures aimed at enhancing efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability in the sector. Maritime Development Fund A significant highlight is the establishment of a ₹250 billion ($3 billion) Maritime Development Fund aimed at revitalising India's shipbuilding and repair industry. The government will contribute 49% to this fund, with the remainder sourced from ports and private entities. This initiative seeks to enhance maritime infrastructure, reduce dependence on foreign carriers, and position India as a formidable player in global shipping. Plans include promoting shipbuilding clusters and extending a 10-year import tax exemption on inputs for shipbuilding and shipbreaking activities. Additionally, credit notes for shipbreaking will be issued to encourage the scrapping of old vessels and the construction of new ones. Expansion of Air Cargo and Regional Connectivity Recognising the critical role of air cargo in facilitating trade, especially for high-value perishable goods, the budget proposes significant investments in modernising air cargo infrastructure. This includes the development of state-of-the-art warehousing facilities equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient handling and storage. Additionally, cargo screening and customs procedures will be streamlined to improve efficiency and reduce transit times and costs for exporters and importers. To further strengthen regional connectivity, the budget introduces a modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. This initiative aims to connect 120 new destinations using turboprop aircraft and helicopters, with a target of carrying 40 million passengers over the next decade. The scheme includes substantial incentives and development plans for smaller airports, helipads, and greenfield airports, particularly in hilly and northeastern regions. This expansion is expected to bolster regional trade and integrate remote areas into the national economy. Capital Expenditure and Technological Integration The government has consistently increased budgetary allocations for infrastructure to reduce logistics costs and enhance supply chain efficiencies. Capital expenditures grew by 28.4% in FY24 and are expected to grow by 17% in FY25. This sustained investment underscores the government's commitment to strengthening the logistics framework. Additionally, there is a focus on technological integration, with expectations of reforms that will further accelerate growth and efficiency in the logistics sector. Industry Reactions Industry leaders have lauded the budget's balanced approach to strengthening infrastructure, manufacturing, and consumer spending. Key measures include tax relief for the middle class, increased access to essential drugs, promotion of electric vehicle production, incentives for renewable energy, and support for the agricultural ecosystem. Experts are optimistic about the budget's potential to increase disposable incomes and drive consumer demand while emphasising the importance of continued fiscal discipline and improvements in the ease of doing business. The budget includes significant steps towards developing India's startup ecosystem, enhancing real estate accessibility, and expanding global supply chains. Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Logistics, emphasises that the Union Budget reinforces India's position as one of the fastest-growing major economies, strengthening the roadmap for overall growth in consumption and infrastructure. He highlights that the ‘National Manufacturing Mission’ and 'Make in India' initiatives will further accelerate domestic production, fueling 'Move in India'—a vision for seamless cargo movement across the country. Additionally, the sustained emphasis on infrastructure development, along with a three-year project pipeline under the PPP model and state-backed incentives for capital expenditure, lays a strong foundation for future growth.  He further notes that the budget’s focus on logistics modernisation—including PM Gati Shakti, streamlined air cargo warehousing, and the new BharatTradeNet initiative—will enhance India's logistics ecosystem. Aligned with these developments, Mahindra Logistics remains committed to leveraging technology, driving efficiency, and strengthening supply chain resilience. "We look forward to collaboratively building a future-ready, sustainable, and tech-driven logistics landscape, aligned with India's growth ambitions," he adds. C.K. Govil, President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) & Chairman and Managing Director of Activair Airfreight India, acknowledges that the Union Budget 2025-26 presents a balanced roadmap that fuels economic expansion while maintaining fiscal prudence. He highlights that for the logistics, air cargo, and supply chain industries, the budget introduces key initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and driving modernisation.  He further emphasises that these measures will strengthen the overall logistics framework, ensuring seamless operations and improved competitiveness. "The focus on infrastructure development and digital integration will play a crucial role in shaping a more efficient and resilient supply chain ecosystem," he adds.

Admin February 27, 2026 0

Navi Mumbai Airport set to transform air traffic in Mumbai metropolitan region

Changi Airport to prioritise pharmaceuticals and e-commerce amid cargo constraints

Air India strengthens U.S. connectivity with A350 Aircraft

Global air cargo market continues upward trend with 8.2% growth in November: IATA report

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for November 2024 global air cargo markets showing: Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 8.2% compared to November 2023 levels (9.5% for international operations) for a 16th consecutive month of growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 4.6% compared to November 2023 (6.5% for international operations). "It was a good November for air cargo with 8.2% demand growth nearly doubling the 4.6% growth in cargo capacity. Fuel costs tracked at 22% below previous-year levels and tight market conditions supported yield growth at 7.8%. All things considered we are looking to close out 2024 air cargo performance on a profitable note. While this strong performance is very likely to extend into 2025, there are some downside risks that must be carefully watched. These include inflation, geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: Year-on-year, industrial production rose 2.1% in October. Global goods trade grew for a seventh consecutive month, reporting a 1.6% increase. The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for global manufacturing output was above the 50-mark for November, indicating growth. However, the PMI for new export orders remained below the 50-mark, suggesting ongoing uncertainty and weakness in global trade. US headline inflation, based on the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose by 0.1 percentage points to 2.7% in November. In the same month, the inflation rate in the EU increased by 0.2 percentage points to 2.5%. China’s consumer inflation fell to 0.2% in November, continuing concerns of an economic slowdown. November Regional Performance Asia-Pacific airlines saw 13.2% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in November, the strongest growth among the regions. Capacity increased by 9.4% year-on-year. North American carriers saw 6.9% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in November. Capacity increased by 2.2% year-on-year. European carriers saw 5.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in November. Capacity increased 4.3% year-on-year. Middle Eastern carriers saw 3.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in November. Capacity decreased by 0.6% year-on-year. Latin American carriers saw 11.6% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in November. Capacity increased 6.4% year-on-year. African airlines saw a 0.7% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in November, the slowest among regions. Capacity increased by 0.4% year-on-year.  Trade Lane Growth: International routes experienced exceptional traffic levels for the 16th consecutive month with a 9.5% year-on-year increase in November. Airlines are benefiting from rising e-commerce demand in the US and Europe amid ongoing capacity limits in ocean shipping.

Admin February 27, 2026 0

Challenge Group strengthens fleet with new Boeing 747-400F to meet growing global demand

Baykar Technologies acquires Piaggio Aerospace, heralding a new era for Italian Aviation

ECS Group's Globe Air Cargo India becomes GSSA for Thai Airways

Etihad Cargo introduces extended journey times for pets and support for snub-nosed breeds

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has introduced significant updates to its IATA CEIV-certified LiveAnimals product, enhancing services to extend journey times and implement specialised provisions for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds. These changes, effective from 1st November 2024, reflect Etihad Cargo's commitment to animal welfare, aligning with international standards to provide pet owners with flexible, high-standard travel options.  The maximum transportation time for cats and dogs has been extended from 17 hours to 24 hours, applicable from acceptance at origin to the scheduled time of arrival (STA) at the final destination, in line with IATA and European Union Commission international regulations. This extension ensures that pets can undertake longer journeys safely and comfortably.  Etihad Cargo has also implemented a seasonal policy to permit the transport of brachycephalic cats and dogs from 1st November to 1st March. Known for respiratory sensitivities, these breeds require specialised care during air travel, and the winter period provides safer travel conditions. All brachycephalic breeds will need additional checks, documentation, and approval from Etihad Cargo's Live Animals experts to ensure they are fit to fly safely.  Commenting on the enhancements, Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations and Delivery, said: "With these enhancements, Etihad Cargo is raising the standard of pet transport by extending the LiveAnimals offering for pets requiring longer journey times and by catering specifically to brachycephalic breeds during winter months. Etihad Cargo is committed to the highest levels of animal welfare, which has driven these improvements to meet the needs of pet owners and shippers globally."  Etihad Cargo offers a comprehensive portfolio of specialised products tailored to meet diverse customer needs, including its IATA CEIV-certified LiveAnimals product for live animal shipments, temperature-controlled solutions for pharmaceuticals, and secure handling for high-value cargo. With an expanding global network and innovative logistics solutions, Etihad Cargo provides safe, reliable, and efficient air freight services across key markets worldwide.

Admin November 19, 2024 0

Lufthansa Cargo’s subsidiary time:matters and Shenzhen Airport Group Co. Ltd. strengthen collaboration regarding logistics handling services

Mobile Industry urges government to increase air cargo capacity to boost exports

Air India Express expands north-east operations for winter schedule

0 Comments