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The 2023 annual conclave of Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) will be held physically on May 03.
As a prelude to the event and what it would entail, ACFI yesterday hosted a pre-summit curtain raiser event and press conference at the new GMR Udaan Bhawan in New Delhi to give a brief about the conclave to the media and extend a red-carpet invite to the entire air cargo fraternity to participate and attend the ACFI Summit 2023.
Sakshi Gupta, Country Manager for Air Logistics Group (ALG) addressed the gathering with a welcome speech.
It was then followed by the context setting delivered by Satish Lakkaraju, ACFI Board Member and Global Head for Air Freight and Pharma at WIZ Freight. He also shared some insights and outlook pertaining to the industry and the topics to be discussed at the inaugural session of the conclave.
Thereafter, the president of ACFI and Managing Director of Skyways Group Yashpal Sharma took to the dais and addressed the crowd. He shared the reason behind the formation of ACFI, their achievements in the past years and aims and objectives for the upcoming years and details about their upcoming 2023 conclave.
Soon after, ACFI Director General K S Kunwar shared a brief about the organisation, their working model, the challenges they have faced and measures been undertaken to resolve the same, and their future aspects.
A small video was then showcased to the audience by Vice President of ACFI and Chief Commercial Officer at Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) Sanjiv Edward who acknowledged issues that are to be discussed during the second session of the conclave. The session was then presided by Keku Bomi Gazder, ACFI Board Member and Managing Director and CEO of Aviapro Logistics Services, who addressed the crowd about the domestic air cargo scenario, challenges and growth prospects and suitable methods for overcoming those to be discussed during the third panel session of the conclave on May 03.
Finally the floor was open to the media for the Q&A round. Following that, Munish Davessar Head of Cargo Business Development at DIAL took to the stage to deliver the vote of Thanks and threw open the event for High Tea and Networking.
ACFI is an association of key stakeholders from the air cargo supply chain and logistics industry consisting of airlines, airport operators, cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs brokers, express industry, bonded truckers, etc. Its objective is to steer and promote the development of air cargo logistics industry in India and make it at par with the best air cargo ecosystems of the world. It is one of a kind and the only nationwide association that has representation in the governing board from all stakeholders of the industry. ACFI has been working very closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on its vision to achieve the goal of taking Indian air space to 10 million MT by 2030-31 from the current 3.1 million MT.
My Freighter has appointed Group Concorde as its Cargo Sales Agent across the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar, marking a strategic move to strengthen its commercial footprint and accelerate growth in key international markets. The partnership is expected to enhance My Freighter’s market presence in regions that play a vital role in global trade and logistics. Through the agreement, Group Concorde will be responsible for cargo sales development, customer engagement, market intelligence and commercial representation for the Uzbekistan-based airline in the four countries. The appointment reflects My Freighter’s continued focus on expanding its international network and improving access to customers across Asia and the Middle East. As global air cargo demand evolves, the airline is investing in partnerships that can help it connect more effectively with freight forwarders, shippers and logistics providers in strategic markets. Group Concorde brings extensive experience in airline representation and cargo sales management. With a growing network spanning Asia-Pacific, South Asia and the Middle East, the company has established itself as a prominent player in the air cargo sales and services sector. Over the years, it has managed cargo sales operations for several leading international airlines, helping carriers strengthen market penetration and improve customer service standards. Industry observers note that the collaboration combines My Freighter’s expanding freighter operations with Group Concorde’s regional expertise and established customer relationships. The arrangement is expected to support capacity utilization, improve market responsiveness and create new business opportunities in sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, perishables and general cargo. For My Freighter, the move aligns with its broader growth strategy aimed at increasing connectivity between Central Asia and major global trade corridors. The carrier has steadily expanded its fleet and network in recent years, positioning itself as an emerging player in the international air cargo industry. The airline currently operates cargo services linking Central Asia with Europe, the Middle East and Asia, supporting the growing demand for time-sensitive freight transportation. The partnership also underscores the increasing importance of specialized cargo sales agents in helping airlines navigate competitive markets. By leveraging local market knowledge and customer networks, cargo sales agents enable carriers to expand their reach without establishing a direct commercial presence in every market. As air cargo continues to play a critical role in global supply chains, the collaboration between My Freighter and Group Concorde is expected to strengthen service accessibility and create greater value for customers across the UAE, the Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar. The agreement further reinforces both companies’ ambitions to expand their influence in fast-growing cargo markets and capitalize on emerging trade opportunities. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Noida International Airport is set to begin dedicated cargo operations on June 17, marking a significant milestone in the development of North India's newest aviation and logistics hub. The first cargo flight is scheduled to depart two days after the airport commences commercial passenger services on June 15. Airport officials said the launch of cargo services will strengthen the airport's role as a multimodal logistics gateway for the National Capital Region (NCR), western Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring industrial clusters. The airport has been designed to handle both passenger and freight traffic from the start of commercial operations, with cargo expected to become a key growth segment. The initial cargo movement is expected to support industries across electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, perishables and e-commerce, sectors that rely heavily on time-sensitive transportation. Logistics stakeholders view the airport as an additional capacity source for the region's air freight market, which has traditionally depended on Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Located in Jewar, the airport is positioned near major industrial and manufacturing zones across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Its proximity to the Yamuna Expressway and upcoming logistics developments is expected to improve cargo connectivity between production centres and international markets. Industry observers believe the addition of a new air cargo gateway could help reduce pressure on existing freight infrastructure in the NCR while creating new opportunities for freight forwarders, express operators and supply chain service providers. The airport's long-term development plans include expanding cargo handling capacity as freight volumes increase. Commercial operations at Noida International Airport will begin on June 15, with domestic passenger services operated by airlines including IndiGo and Akasa Air. Cargo flights are expected to follow shortly thereafter, supporting the airport's ambition to establish itself as an integrated passenger and freight transportation hub. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Freightos has joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Digitalization Leadership Charter, reinforcing industry efforts to accelerate digital transformation across the global air cargo sector. The move highlights growing momentum behind initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, standardisation and data exchange throughout the air freight ecosystem. The IATA Digitalization Leadership Charter was launched to encourage industry stakeholders to adopt common digital standards and collaborate on modernising cargo operations. The initiative focuses on five core priorities: interoperability and data standards, cybersecurity and digital resilience, paperless cargo processes, innovation and automation, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Central to the charter is the promotion of IATA’s ONE Record standard, designed to facilitate seamless and efficient data sharing across the supply chain. By becoming a signatory, Freightos joins a growing network of airlines, technology providers and logistics stakeholders committed to creating a more connected and efficient cargo ecosystem. The company said the initiative aligns with its long-standing focus on enabling digital freight procurement, booking and payment processes through interoperable platforms that connect carriers, freight forwarders and shippers. Industry leaders view digitalisation as critical to addressing longstanding inefficiencies in air cargo, including fragmented data flows, manual documentation and limited visibility across supply chains. The adoption of shared standards is expected to reduce integration challenges, improve operational efficiency and support faster, more reliable cargo movement. Freightos believes broader industry alignment around digital connectivity can help create a more agile and resilient freight network capable of responding to evolving market demands. IATA has repeatedly emphasised that meaningful digital transformation requires collaboration across the entire cargo community. The association’s charter seeks to establish a common framework for innovation while encouraging organisations to invest in technologies that support transparency, sustainability and operational excellence. Freightos’ participation is expected to contribute to these efforts by leveraging its extensive digital marketplace and booking infrastructure, which already facilitates large-scale interactions between airlines and freight forwarders worldwide. The announcement comes at a time when air cargo stakeholders are increasingly prioritising automation, real-time data exchange and digital documentation to enhance customer experience and improve supply chain performance. As global trade networks continue to evolve, initiatives such as the IATA Digitalization Leadership Charter are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air freight operations. With Freightos now part of the initiative, industry observers see another significant step toward achieving a fully connected, data-driven and digitally enabled air cargo ecosystem capable of supporting the next generation of global logistics. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
