Page 33 - ITLN January - February 2025

To succeed, stakeholders
must manage these
risks carefully, invest
in technology and
infrastructure, and
align their strategies
with global trends in
trade, sustainability, and
logistics innovation.

Anupama Kachhap
WFS
opportunities for Indian airlines “India’s diversified trade base
and airports, especially in terms and growing domestic demand a temp-controlled infrastructure.
of revenue diversification, tapping further cushion the impact of these Similarly, Ahmedabad Airport has
into growing e-commerce demand, challenges,” he said. focused on textile and jewellery export
and expanding export potential. Chandra also informed that at by creating a special zone for handling
“However,” she said, “These BLR Airport, they have consistently fragile goods while Mumbai Airport has
opportunities come with risks such observed a surge in e-commerce- focused on high-density cargo and hub
as high operational costs, market driven cargo. operations with initiatives like automated
volatility, and regulatory challenges. “The growing demand for fast, storage and retrieval system."
“To succeed, stakeholders must reliable deliveries has opened
manage these risks carefully, invest opportunities for value-added services Indian air cargo by 2029
in technology and infrastructure, and and optimised supply chain solutions,” The Indian air cargo sector stands
align their strategies with global trends he added. at a crossroads. Its potential is
in trade, sustainability, and logistics Padmanabhan also supported undeniable, with projections indicating
innovation,” she added. this notion. “Air cargo’s role in the annual growth of 6-9 percent driven
Geopolitical conflicts and economic e-commerce ecosystem has created by expanding trade, e-commerce, and
slowdowns can also cause fluctuations opportunities for revenue growth." He manufacturing. However, the journey
in demand for air transport services, pointed out BLR Airport’s dedicated ahead is fraught with challenges.
impacting overall growth rates. express cargo terminal to exemplify By addressing structural gaps and
While short-term disruptions may this shift, supporting next-day embracing forward-looking strategies,
arise, analysts remain optimistic deliveries to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. the sector can reinforce its position
about the long-term outlook, pointed Adding to this, he noted that many as a cornerstone of global logistics,
out Arun Chandra, Vice President airports in the country have realised the ensuring sustained growth and global
- Aviation Business, Bangalore revenue potential of air cargo and have competitiveness for years to come.
International Airport (BIAL), provided adopted region-specific and sector/ As Glyn Hughes aptly summarised,
that key demand drivers—such product-specific strategies. "Hyderabad “We must continue to be agile so that we
as e-commerce—continue to gain Airport Pharma Zone has increased its may respond successfully to whatever
strength despite global uncertainties. focus on pharma exports by establishing prevailing conditions present.”
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