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The Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association (APATA) has urged the state and central governments to expedite connectivity infrastructure to the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, stressing that timely road, rail and cargo linkages will be critical for the airport’s long-term success and the region’s logistics ecosystem. The association believes that seamless multimodal access will determine how effectively the airport can support passenger movement, cargo operations and industrial growth in north Andhra Pradesh.
The greenfield airport at Bhogapuram, officially named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, is being developed near Visakhapatnam by GMR Group and is expected to emerge as a major aviation and logistics gateway for the eastern coast. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2026 and is designed to handle over six million passengers annually.
APATA representatives have highlighted that while construction of the airport is progressing rapidly, supporting infrastructure outside the airport perimeter requires equal attention. The association has sought faster completion of highway expansion projects, improved public transportation links between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram, and dedicated rail connectivity to ensure efficient passenger and cargo movement.
Industry stakeholders believe the airport has the potential to significantly strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s air cargo and supply chain capabilities, particularly for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, marine exports, electronics, agri-products and perishables. APATA has also called for the establishment of a dedicated cargo terminal at the airport to support exporters and logistics operators in the region.
According to the association, the upcoming airport can evolve into a major logistics hub if integrated with industrial corridors, ports and warehousing infrastructure across Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts. Efficient airport access roads and cargo evacuation systems would help reduce turnaround time for freight operators and improve export competitiveness for businesses in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The association’s demand gains importance at a time when airlines are preparing to expand international connectivity from the region. APATA recently welcomed the announcement of Scoot’s proposed operations from Bhogapuram beginning July 2026, viewing it as a strong indicator of the airport’s growing strategic relevance in South India’s aviation network. Increased international services are expected to create fresh opportunities for air freight and time-sensitive cargo movement.
Logistics experts note that Bhogapuram Airport could eventually complement the region’s maritime infrastructure by creating an integrated air-sea cargo ecosystem. With Visakhapatnam already emerging as an important industrial and port city, the addition of a modern international airport with cargo handling capabilities could accelerate investments in warehousing, cold chain logistics and distribution centres.
APATA has emphasised that coordinated planning between aviation authorities, transport agencies and logistics stakeholders will be necessary to maximise the airport’s economic potential. The association maintains that early investment in connectivity infrastructure will not only improve passenger convenience but also position Bhogapuram as a future-ready logistics and trade gateway for eastern India.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Cargo operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are facing a series of operational challenges as airlines transition freight services from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Industry stakeholders have raised concerns over cargo-handling capacity, manpower shortages, equipment availability, delays in customs processes and inadequate coordination, creating uncertainty for carriers ahead of the peak air-freight season. The concerns have intensified following the decision by Malta-based Challenge Group to temporarily suspend its Mumbai cargo operations. The carrier said the current operating environment at NMIA does not yet provide the reliability and certainty required to maintain its services. Challenge Group had shifted its freighter operations to NMIA following the mandatory transition from CSMIA. According to Challenge Group, cargo-handling bottlenecks have affected both inbound and outbound operations. The airline's Chief Commercial Officer Or Zak highlighted constraints involving dollies, cargo availability and warehouse processes. He said a substantial volume of inbound cargo was waiting on dollies, limiting the ability to offload arriving aircraft, while export shipments were at times not ready, incorrectly built or awaiting release. The resulting bottlenecks could leave freighters departing with significantly reduced loads or, in some cases, without cargo. Customs brokers have separately flagged serious delays at the NMIA cargo complex. The Brihanmumbai Customs Brokers’ Association (BCBA) has reported instances of flight-checking delays exceeding 72 hours, along with shortages of operational manpower, loaders, forklifts, trained equipment operators and supervisory personnel. The association has also raised concerns about delays in registration and Permanent Deposit account opening, which can hold up cargo clearance even after shipments are ready for customs processing. Cargo storage has emerged as another concern, with the BCBA reporting instances of import consignments, including heavy and high-value shipments, being exposed to rain. The association has called for better covered storage, stronger cargo-handling procedures, adequate staffing and equipment, and faster resolution of operational grievances. The timing of these challenges is particularly significant as air cargo volumes enter the traditional peak season. Industry bodies and freight forwarders have indicated that the problems are not isolated, pointing to recurring delays in flight checking, cargo handling and account registration since freighter operations began at NMIA. Despite the hurdles, NMIA remains strategically important for Mumbai’s long-term aviation and logistics ecosystem. Several international freighter operators have already operated flights to the airport, while incentives such as landing-fee discounts are being offered to strengthen international cargo connectivity. For NMIA to establish itself as a competitive air cargo hub, industry stakeholders say operational readiness will need to catch up with the airport’s infrastructure capacity, particularly across ground handling, warehousing, customs coordination and cargo-flow management. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Central Asia is strengthening its position as an emerging air cargo bridge between Asia and Europe, with airlines, airports, logistics providers and regulators increasingly focused on building stronger connections with China, Europe and the Middle East. The shift was a key theme at the Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit, held in Tashkent on September 30 and October 1, 2026, which brought together 340 representatives from across the aviation and logistics ecosystem. The region’s growing relevance is supported by a significant expansion in air cargo volumes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Central Asia’s air cargo volumes more than doubled between 2019 and 2024. Kazakhstan remained the region’s leading gateway, with volumes increasing 149% over the period, while Uzbekistan recorded even faster growth of 182%, supported by infrastructure investment. The summit highlighted that Central Asia’s ambitions are extending beyond simply adding aircraft capacity. Airlines and airports are increasingly looking at how airfreight can be integrated with road and rail networks to create more efficient multimodal corridors. Representatives from Silk Way West Airlines, Saudia Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding discussed opportunities to strengthen connections linking Central Asia with China, Europe, the Middle East and other major markets. Digitalisation and Standards Gain Importance Digital transformation emerged as another critical component of the region’s cargo development. An IATA roundtable brought together representatives from IATA, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways, Centrum Air/My Freighter and Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee to discuss international standards, certification, ONE Record, cargo connectivity and regulatory modernisation. For Central Asian markets seeking deeper integration with global supply chains, improved data exchange and greater alignment with international cargo standards could help reduce manual processes and improve shipment visibility. The summit also examined artificial intelligence, cargo terminal automation and cybersecurity as technologies that could support higher volumes and more efficient operations. Airports Compete for Eurasian Cargo Flows Tashkent, Almaty and Navoi are increasingly positioning themselves as important gateways within the emerging Eurasian cargo network. Tashkent Airport and Navoi International Airport presented their cargo development strategies and infrastructure plans at the summit, while an industry panel examined the competitive and complementary roles of regional airports. The discussions covered scheduled and charter services, ACMI operations, express logistics, GSSA services, digital platforms and airport infrastructure. Flexible capacity is expected to remain important as cargo flows evolve and airlines respond to changing demand across Eurasian trade lanes. E-Commerce Adds Momentum The expansion of cross-border e-commerce is also creating new opportunities for Central Asian air cargo. Perishables, high-value shipments and express consignments are generating demand for faster customs processes, specialised handling and reliable last-mile delivery. The summit also addressed workforce development, highlighting the need for skilled professionals as airlines, airports and logistics companies expand their operations. Training, recruitment and operational expertise will therefore remain critical alongside investment in terminals, aircraft and digital infrastructure. Central Asia’s air cargo proposition is consequently evolving from a transit-focused model towards a broader logistics ecosystem. With rising cargo volumes, new infrastructure, stronger multimodal connections and greater adoption of digital standards, the region is seeking to convert its geographic position between East and West into a sustainable competitive advantage. The next phase will depend on how effectively airlines, airports, customs authorities and logistics providers translate these investments and partnerships into new routes, efficient cargo handling and dependable Eurasian trade corridors. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Cathay Cargo has introduced an AI-assisted screening capability designed to help customers identify potential permit and trade-control requirements earlier in the air cargo shipment process, strengthening compliance as international trade regulations become increasingly complex. The new digital capability uses artificial intelligence-assisted language analysis to assess shipment information against relevant trade-control requirements covering imports, exports and transhipments. Unlike conventional screening processes that depend largely on keyword matching, the system is designed to interpret the context of goods descriptions and identify potential links to applicable control-list requirements. The additional layer of digital screening is intended to give shippers greater visibility of regulatory obligations before cargo enters Cathay Cargo’s network. It can also help reduce the risk of shipment delays or disruptions arising from unidentified compliance requirements. However, shippers remain responsible for providing accurate and complete cargo declarations, while human oversight continues to be an integral part of the process. Cathay Cargo Director Cargo Dominic Perret said: “As global trade requirements continue to evolve, what customers value most is certainty — knowing that obligations are identified before a shipment moves, not after. Leveraging this new AI-assisted screening and clearer operational context for our frontline teams, Cathay Cargo is strengthening our ability to identify potential compliance requirements earlier, keep information accurate throughout the shipment journey, and facilitate safe, reliable and responsible cargo movement.” Alongside the AI capability, Cathay Cargo has redesigned its frontline display to present screening alerts and regulatory information more clearly. Operational teams can see why a shipment has been flagged and determine the follow-up action required, enabling them to prioritise alerts and address potential compliance issues before cargo moves through the network. The initiative builds on Cathay Cargo’s broader digitalisation and AI strategy. The carrier already uses AI-assisted technologies in areas including lithium-battery screening, predictive safety analysis and AI-enhanced CCTV at its cargo terminals. Perret added: “Through digital innovation and AI, Cathay Cargo continues to set the new industry standards that will shape the future of air cargo. The value of this enhancement is in how dense regulatory requirements are made clearer and more actionable for our people. Pairing digital intelligence with operational expertise creates better outcomes for customers, regulators and the wider air cargo community. We will continue to enhance the capability through operational feedback and compliance reviews.” As global trade controls continue to evolve, Cathay Cargo said it will further refine the screening capability through operational feedback and compliance reviews, reinforcing its focus on secure, compliant and efficient cargo movement. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
