Blue Dart Express has announced a general price increase (GPI) effective from January 1, 2025. The adjustment will see an average price hike ranging between 9% and 12%, varying according to the type of product and shipping profile, as per the official release from the company. This annual pricing adjustment is aimed at addressing long-term operational costs, which have surged due to inflation and rising input costs in critical areas such as airline operations and infrastructure. In the official statement, Blue Dart highlighted that the price increase will allow the company to continue offering ..read more

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted regulatory approval for the merger of AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia, into Air India Express. Effective from October 1, 2024, all AIX Connect aircraft have been transferred to Air India Express’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), ensuring uninterrupted airline operations. This move is a part of the broader Air India Group’s restructuring efforts, which aims to merge four airlines into two. The newly merged entity will operate under the ‘Air India Express’ brand with a unified airline code, IX. This milestone is a critical part ..read more

Challenge Group is expanding its presence in India by launching two additional weekly flights to Delhi, effective October 3, 2024. This initiative will increase the Group’s total operations to five weekly flights into India, which includes three flights to Mumbai. The new service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, utilising Challenge Group’s fleet of Boeing 767F aircraft, each capable of carrying approximately 52 tonnes of cargo. Zak, Chief Commercial Officer of Challenge Group, emphasised the significance of Delhi as a crucial hub for global trade. The introduction of these routes demons ..read more

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations have jointly announced the endorsement of the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) by FIATA, marking a significant milestone in air cargo operations. This endorsement follows a comprehensive year-long process of collaboration and review between the two organisations, aimed at streamlining air cargo handling practices. The ICHM provides standardised procedures for airlines, ground handling agents (GHAs), and freight forwarders, fostering consistency and efficiency throughout ..read more

American Airlines Cargo has announced the certification of two more US stations under the IATA’s CEIV Pharma program. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) have joined the airline’s growing list of certified stations, further reinforcing its commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics. The CEIV Pharma certification highlights American Airlines Cargo’s focus on ensuring safety, compliance, consistency, and rigorous training for handling Life Sciences products. In addition to these new certifications, the carrier also achieved re-ce ..read more

Etihad Cargo, the dedicated cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, celebrates two decades of operations in India, a significant milestone that underscores its steadfast commitment to the Indian market. The journey began with the airline’s inaugural flight to Mumbai on September 26, 2004. Since then, Etihad Cargo has continually expanded its presence in the region, now providing belly hold capacity through nonstop services connecting Abu Dhabi to 12 major Indian cities, with ambitious plans for further growth. Handling over 46,000 tonnes of cargo annually from India, Etihad Cargo connects t ..read more

TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM Group have forged a significant partnership, with TotalEnergies set to supply up to 1.5 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to the airline group over a 10-year period, extending until 2035. This agreement marks one of the largest SAF purchase contracts signed by Air France-KLM to date, according to an official release. In recent years, Air France-KLM has taken a leading role in the adoption of SAF, representing 17% of total global production in 2022 and 16% in 2023. This new contract builds upon a previous memorandum of understanding (MoU) from 20 ..read more

AeroNet has successfully renewed its contract with Emirates SkyCargo to supply air cargo nets, straps, and various restraint equipment, reinforcing the safety and efficiency of global goods transportation. This renewal reflects AeroNet’s commitment to delivering high-quality air cargo solutions tailored to the needs of Emirates SkyCargo, which plays a vital role in facilitating international trade by connecting over 140 destinations through its advanced hub in Dubai. Ludovic Coatmellec, General Manager of AeroNet, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, stating that it demonstrates th ..read more

MSC Air Cargo has announced its recent attainment of the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, a prestigious recognition that underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to quality and expertise in the safe and compliant handling of pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments. Joern Roehl, Head of Product, Quality, and Transformation at MSC Air Cargo, expressed, “The certification highlights our commitment to quality and our dedication to continuously challenging the status quo, enhancing our quality standards, and our reliability as a trusted partner in pharmaceutical logistics.” The IATA CEIV Phar ..read more

Cathay Pacific is expanding its North American network with the introduction of a new non-stop service between Hong Kong and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), set to launch on April 24, 2025. This addition marks Cathay Pacific’s sixth U.S. destination and its eighth in North America, reinforcing the airline’s growing presence on the continent and strengthening Hong Kong’s global connectivity. Lavinia Lau, Cathay Group’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the new route, emphasising the airline’s deep ties to Hong Kong and its role as a key internation ..read more