The Indian aviation sector is raising the bar for global standards, with airports and airlines alike achieving remarkable milestones. India leads the world in cargo volume growth, with plans underway to increase the number airports, waterdromes and heliports in India from 149 to 220 by 2030, reflecting the ambitious growth trajectory of Indian airlines.
In terms of digital advancements, Indian airports are at the forefront, leveraging cargo community systems to streamline operations—an achievement unmatched by counterparts elsewhere. Having earned a reputation as a home for technological developments, India stands as a dynamic hub of innovation and abundant talent.
“We take pride in India’s global standing, ranking fourth out of six in e-AWB adoption, showcasing our nation’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation,” Amar More, Chief Executive Officer of Kale Logistics, said.
“With robust digital infrastructure, government support, and global collaboration opportunities, we have chosen to base our operations here. As a homegrown company, we are keenly focused on tapping into the rapidly expanding domestic air cargo market, projected to grow at an impressive rate.”
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Transforming Goa
Kale’s tech solutions, including Cargo Community Systems (CCS) and Enterprise Business Automation, have sought to transform cargo handling and information exchange across the air cargo value chain.
These software as a service (SaaS) platforms democratise technology, offering affordability, accessibility, and adaptability to all stakeholders.
“By providing real-time cargo movement data, our solutions have minimised congestion by 80%, slashed documentation by 90%, and enhanced efficiency by 75%, fostering harmonisation, standardisation, and global compliance in cargo operations,” More explained.
“Our CCS went live in Goa, meaning a total of 85% of India’s cargo now runs on Kale’s systems. Goa was special as our CCS was live from the day the airport opened for operations.
“Since initiating cargo services in January 2023, Miami (MIA) has become a vital hub for economic growth in Goa. Handling diverse cargo, from pharmaceuticals to vegetables, MIA’s temperature-controlled cargo terminal processed around 750 metric tonnes in the first 11 months of operation.
“Soon it will attract cargo from nearby states with its state-of-the-art cargo facilities. It will be integrated with other major airports where cargo is handled by Kale’s CCSs. This will start an era of airport collaboration and faster movement of freight.”
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Growth and competition
India’s growth story is complemented by the manufacturing growth it planned to achieve, although it still lags behind while competing with Asian countries like China and Singapore. The Indian air cargo market generated 2.2 million tonnes of traffic last year, which is 1/5 the size of China’s air cargo market. With five to six Indian conglomerates investing abroad, the India link is always going to be strong. So, India is in a good position as far as trade is concerned. The air cargo industry in India has come a long way with strong consumer demand serving as the primary driver of growth and, with more investments and routes being announced, India is set to up its game even further.
India’s express delivery sector is rapidly expanding, driven significantly by air transport. In 2022 alone, it managed 2.2 million tonnes of air cargo, a figure expected to soar to 10 million tonnes by 2031.
“The nation is poised to construct 14 new airports in the near future, with a strong emphasis on bolstering cargo operations. This strategic development underscores India’s commitment to nurturing and capitalising on the growth potential of its air cargo industry,” More added.
