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Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics division of Etihad Airways, has introduced the Excellence Hub, describing it as the airline industry's first dedicated logistics training academy established by an airline. The initiative has been launched to strengthen knowledge sharing, professional development, and operational excellence across the global air cargo ecosystem.
The new platform has been designed to bring greater consistency to operational practices throughout Etihad Cargo's worldwide partner network. By standardising learning and best practices, the Excellence Hub aims to maintain uniform service quality, reinforce safety and regulatory compliance, and improve risk management across every stage of cargo operations. The academy is also expected to strengthen collaboration among partners while supporting the carrier's commitment to reliable and customer-focused services.
Developed for Etihad Cargo employees, representatives, partners, customers, and logistics professionals around the world, the academy offers an extensive learning framework covering operational procedures, service standards, product knowledge, safety practices, and compliance requirements aligned with international aviation regulations. The platform also includes industry-recognised certification programmes created in collaboration with accredited educational institutions.
The Excellence Hub features a wide range of learning formats, including introductory courses, expert-led masterclasses, educational podcasts, and executive programmes such as a miniMBA. Participants receive accredited certifications after successfully completing their respective learning tracks. To keep users engaged, the academy incorporates interactive elements such as leaderboards, reward points, and LinkedIn achievement badges that recognise individual progress. In addition, university students are being offered complimentary access, enabling aspiring professionals to gain industry exposure and become part of a global learning community.
Supporting continuous learning is an AI-powered system that delivers personalised recommendations, monitors learner performance, and provides real-time insights throughout the training journey. With a mobile-friendly interface, the platform ensures that users can access educational content anytime and from virtually anywhere, making professional development more flexible and accessible.
Commenting on the launch, Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, said the Excellence Hub represents a major milestone for the air cargo sector. He noted that bringing operational expertise, accredited education, and industry knowledge together on a single platform will help enhance professional capabilities and elevate service standards across the global logistics network.
Dr Nadia Al Bastaki, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, emphasised that investing in people remains a core priority for the airline. She said the Excellence Hub reflects that commitment by creating accessible learning opportunities for both newcomers and experienced professionals. According to her, the initiative will contribute to higher operational efficiency, stronger customer service, and the continued development of talent within the global air cargo industry.
Additionally, Etihad Cargo has expanded its digital customer platform with five additional languages and a series of new online shipment management tools designed to improve accessibility, visibility and customer self service. The logistics arm of Etihad Airways announced that its website is now available in Japanese, German, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic, enabling customers and partners to access services and manage shipments in their preferred language across key international markets.
The latest updates form part of the carrier’s digital strategy to simplify customer interactions and improve the end to end cargo experience through enhanced connectivity and shipment visibility.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has expanded its transshipment cargo network to four additional domestic origin stations and two international destinations, strengthening its role as a potential air cargo hub between eastern and western markets. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on August 19 flagged off the scaled-up phase of India’s transshipment cargo reform at Delhi International Airport Limited’s (DIAL) Transshipment Excellence Centre (TEC) at Terminal 2. The expanded network will now connect Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad with London and Copenhagen, following the successful completion of a proof-of-concept project on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt route. The proof of concept for domestic-to-international transshipment began on June 20, 2026, with Air India operating the service end-to-end. Since its launch, around 280 metric tonnes of cargo have been transshipped through the Delhi facility, while aircraft capacity utilisation increased from 75 per cent to nearly 100 per cent. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the expansion is expected to increase Air India’s monthly cargo carriage on the covered routes from 1,763 metric tonnes to 3,183 metric tonnes, representing an increase of nearly 80 per cent. Speaking at the Transshipment Excellence Centre at Terminal 2 of IGI Airport, Naidu said the reform was aimed at reducing turnaround time, handling costs and congestion at cargo terminals. The proof-of-concept exercise demonstrated a significant reduction in average end-to-end transit time on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt route, from around 60 hours to 20 hours. The government was working to expand the model further and eventually establish India as a global air cargo transshipment hub by leveraging the country’s geographical position between eastern and western markets, he said “While our immediate focus is on Domestic-to-International transshipment, our larger ambition is to position India as a global cargo transshipment hub,” Naidu said, adding that the framework would subsequently be expanded to International-to-International and International-to-Domestic transshipment. The reform follows a revised framework notified through Addendum-II to AVSEC Circular No. 6/2024 by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on July 21, 2025. Under the framework, secured transshipment cargo can be moved through dedicated Transfer Cargo Security Hold Areas (TCSHAs) without mandatory re-screening, subject to prescribed security safeguards. Naidu said the removal of mandatory re-screening had addressed a long-standing industry concern and was helping improve the efficiency and competitiveness of India’s air cargo ecosystem. He also said the initiative was part of the government’s broader effort to develop major Indian airports as global transit hubs. Following the strengthening of hub-and-spoke operations for passengers, similar measures are being undertaken to build India’s air cargo hub capabilities. The Minister congratulated Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), BCAS, CISF, airlines, Customs and other stakeholders for their coordination in implementing the reform. The ministry said additional domestic origin stations and international destinations are expected to be brought under the framework in the coming months, further expanding India’s air cargo connectivity and strengthening its position as a competitive global aviation hub. The event was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Airports Authority of India Chairman Vipin Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Asangba Chuba Ao, BCAS Joint Director General Pratibha Ambedkar and senior officials from the ministry, AAI, BCAS, DIAL, Air India and other stakeholders. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Air India has announced the appointment of Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD), marking a leadership transition as the Tata Group-owned airline advances its long-term transformation strategy. The appointment, approved by the airline's Board, follows an extensive global search and comes after the resignation of Campbell Wilson, who will continue in his role until September 30, 2026, to ensure a smooth leadership handover. Gebremariam, one of the aviation industry's most respected executives, brings more than three decades of airline leadership experience. He is best known for leading Ethiopian Airlines Group for over a decade, during which he transformed the carrier into Africa's largest and one of its most successful airlines through fleet expansion, network growth, operational excellence and strong financial performance. His career also includes senior leadership roles across commercial operations, cargo, ground services and strategic planning, making him well-equipped to steer Air India's next growth phase. Welcoming the appointment, N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, said: "On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Tewolde to Air India. Having completed the initial phase of stabilization, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell's guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era. Tewolde’s operational expertise, commitment to safety, and vision for hub development will be instrumental as we establish Air India as a premier global carrier and a source of national pride." Expressing his enthusiasm, Tewolde Gebremariam, Incoming CEO & Managing Director, said: "It is a profound honour to be entrusted with leading Air India at such a historic moment in its journey. Air India carries an incredible legacy, and the opportunity to build a world-class global airline that reflects India’s extraordinary economic potential is uniquely exciting. I look forward to working closely with Chairman Chandrasekaran, the Board, our employees, and all government and industry partners to deliver exceptional operational reliability, warm Indian hospitality, and sustained long-term growth." The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Air India as it continues its multi-year transformation following its return to the Tata Group in 2022. Over the past four years, the airline has consolidated four carriers, modernised its operations, strengthened its leadership team, initiated a large-scale fleet renewal programme, introduced upgraded cabin products and significantly expanded its aircraft order book. For the aviation, supply chain and air cargo ecosystem, Gebremariam's appointment is expected to strengthen Air India's operational efficiency and network capabilities. His proven expertise in airline turnaround, fleet planning and cargo development is likely to support the carrier's ambition of becoming a globally competitive full-service airline while reinforcing India's growing position in international aviation and logistics. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Emirates SkyCargo has reported an 11% increase in export volumes from the United Kingdom, underscoring the growing global demand for high-value and time-sensitive cargo such as aerospace components, pharmaceutical products and premium food items. The growth reflects the airline’s expanding role in facilitating international trade while strengthening supply chain connectivity between the UK and key markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australasia. The carrier currently serves the UK through a combination of scheduled passenger flights and dedicated freighter operations, linking seven major gateways with its global network via Dubai. This extensive connectivity has enabled British exporters to move critical shipments efficiently to more than 145 destinations, supporting industries that rely on speed, reliability and product integrity. According to Emirates SkyCargo, aerospace shipments have emerged as one of the fastest-growing cargo segments, driven by increasing global demand for aircraft components, engines and maintenance parts. The airline has continued to invest in specialised logistics capabilities for the aerospace industry, ensuring secure handling and rapid transportation of high-value equipment. This aligns with the broader recovery and expansion of the global aviation sector, which continues to fuel demand for precision logistics solutions. Pharmaceutical exports have also witnessed robust growth, with UK manufacturers leveraging Emirates SkyCargo’s temperature-controlled infrastructure and certified cold-chain services to transport vaccines, medicines and life sciences products. The carrier has consistently expanded its pharma logistics capabilities to meet stringent quality and compliance requirements for healthcare shipments worldwide. In addition to industrial and healthcare products, premium British food exports, including fresh berries, seafood, dairy products and gourmet ingredients have seen rising demand across international markets. Fast transit times and dedicated perishables handling have enabled exporters to preserve product freshness while reaching consumers in distant markets within short delivery windows. Hence, the latest growth in UK exports highlights the increasing importance of resilient air cargo networks as businesses seek faster and more dependable logistics solutions for high-value goods. For Emirates SkyCargo, the performance also reinforces its strategy of investing in specialised cargo products, expanded freighter capacity and industry-focused logistics services to support evolving global trade patterns. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
