Digital platforms and blockchain are changing air cargo by enhancing transparency and security. Cloud-based tracking systems provide end-to-end visibility of shipments, ensuring users can track their goods in real-time. Also, air cargo businesses must navigate the challenge of maintaining efficiency.
CT Bureau
In this fast-paced world, air cargo industry is experiencing a transformatory phase. The demand for quick and efficient transportation of goods has forced the industry to adopt and integrate advanced technological solutions for air cargo operations. To cater to the users’ demand, the industry is embracing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, automation and ML to boost operational efficiency and accuracy. Digital platforms and blockchain technology are transforming the sector by improving transparency and security through real-time tracking and tamper-proof transaction records.
By creating a decentralised and trustworthy ledger accessible to authorised parties, blockchain minimises the risk of fraud and errors. This enhanced visibility stre-amlines operations, reduces delays, and fosters greater trust among supply chain stakeholders.
Along with advanced technology, sustainability is another key growth driver for the industry in this ever-evolving global economy. As the government and organisations have set ambitious goals of reducing carbon footprint, it has become crucial to adopt strategies that minimise the environmental impact of air transportation. The use of SAF reduces emissions up to 80 per cent in comparison to conventional jet fuels, which can play a pivotal role in achieving the sector’s sustainability goals. Air cargo firms can strike a balance by investing in sustainable technologies such as fuel-efficient aircraft, electric ground vehicles, and eco-friendly packaging. Optimising flight routes and adopting collaborative logistics solutions can reduce carbon footprint, while meeting the demand for faster deliveries.
However, there are few constraints that the industry still faces in the adoption of technology.
The air cargo sector faces challenges such as high costs, lack of standardisation, cybersecurity risks, regulatory hurdles, and resistance to change, while adopting new technologies. To promote investments in technology, the industry must highlight return on investment (RoI), promote collaboration, ensure cybersecurity awareness, upskill the workforce and engage regulators. Scalable, cost-effective solutions and industry-wide digital literacy will accelerate adoption of technologies and transformation of cargo operations. CARGOTALK interacted with women leaders from the industry to get their insights on why tech-adoption and sustainability practices are crucial for the growth of air cargo sector.
Eliminating fraud risks to ensuring data integrity
Padma Handa, Director, Hans Infomatic
Digital platforms and blockchain are boosting transparency and security in air cargo. It enables real-time tracking, predictive analytics, and seamless collaboration between stakeholders. Blockchain fortifies security by creating tamper-proof records and shipment documents, such as bills of lading and customs declarations. It eliminates fraud risks, ensuring data integrity. It provides the stakeholders with access to verified information. By integrating these technologies, the industry achieves transparency, reduces errors, and streamlines processes. The sector faces issues such as high upfront costs and resistance to change.”
Carbon tax regulations push firms to innovate
Sakshi Gupta, Country Manager, India Air Logistics Group
Sustainability has evolved from a mere choice to an imperative necessity. The focus on green logistics includes transitioning to alternative fuels, adopting renewable energy solutions for warehouses, and reducing packaging waste. Internationally, initiatives such as EU’s Fit for 55 and carbon tax regulations are pushing the companies to innovate. In the country, challenges such as reducing carbon footprint is being addressed through EVs, solar-powered warehouses, and investments in green corridors. Public-private partnerships will play a significant role in giving pace to sustainability efforts and meeting long-term goals.”
Awareness of long-term benefits of tech crucial
Apeksha Gupta, Head, Skilling VCJ Foundation
The sector faces constraints such as high costs, lack of digital integration, and resistance to change. To overcome them, awareness about long-term benefits of tech investments is crucial. Reducing errors and enhancing customer satisfaction can drive efficiency. IATA has developed digital cargo technical specifications to aid in the transition to flexible supply chains. Balancing environmental goals with demand for quick deliveries requires adopting sustainable practices such as using biofuels and optimising flight paths. Digital tools for route optimisation and blockchain for supply chain transparency help achieve this balance.”
Emerging tech steadily gaining acceptance
Vandana Singh, Director, Global Corporate Key Account Management, Saudia Cargo
The industry faces many challenges, including high implementation costs, fragmented infrastructure, and lack of standardised platforms. As emerging tech demonstrates their investment potential and long-term benefits, they are gaining acceptance. Educating stakeholders before and after integration is crucial for seamless adoption and sustained success. Air cargo must maintain efficiency, while adopting sustainability to ensure timely deliveries. With stress on sustainability, air cargo to implement environmental improvements sans compromising quality.”
Digital tech streamlines efficiency, reduces delays
Jalpa H Vithalani, Director, Global Aviation Services
The sector is integrating digital platforms and blockchain to enhance transparency and security. Blockchain enables tamper-proof tracking of shipments, reducing fraud and ensuring data integrity. Digital platforms streamline documentation, automate processes, and enhance efficiency through AI and IoT-driven analytics, cutting delays and bottlenecks. Adopting new tech faces multiple constraints, high implementation costs, integration challenges with legacy systems, and regulatory complexities. Awareness is needed to highlight the long-term cost savings and efficiency gains.”
Sustainable infra key for quicker deliveries
Jinali Gandhi, Business Head, Global Growth & Expansion Gandhi Automations
Digitalisation is changing air cargo warehousing by streamlining operations, enhancing security and improving supply chain visibility. Smart sensors enable real-time tracking for cargo storage and transport, while reducing manual intervention and errors. We integrate advancements with automation to enhance cargo terminal efficiency. Our loading bay equipment enhances efficiency by reducing handling time, optimising cargo flow, and ensuring airtight sealing to protect against the external contaminants. The sector faces challenges such as high investment costs, and the like.”
Digital literacy vital to change cargo operations
Rajni Patwardhan, Head, Marketing, Kale Logistics Solutions
Digital platforms like Cargo Community Systems (CCS) are designed to evolve with technologies such as blockchain and AI. Blockchain enhances CCS by making secure, tamper-proof data accessible to the community. Every transaction is recorded, preventing unauthorised changes. Cryptographic encryption safeguards sensitive cargo data, while shared ledger ensures transparency and reducing disputes. The sector faces challenges such as high costs, cybersecurity risks and regulatory hurdles while adopting new technologies. To drive tech investment, the sector must promote collaboration and cybersecurity awareness.”
Resistance to modernity hurdle to adopting tech
Vaishali Kadam, National Head Sea Freight, Galaxy Freight
Security in ocean cargo shipments has become a concern. To quell risks to operations, transparency-enhancing tools such as real-time tracking of shipments, location and status monitoring, and documentation automation come in handy. These tools reduce paperwork, which is a win for the environment, and minimise errors and enhance accuracy. The hurdle when it comes to adopting tech is the prevailing cultural resistance to embracing modernity. The sector is slow to adopt new technologies and changing this culture can be quite a challenge. If implemented, it would require heavy costs, making ops less affordable.”
E-commerce boom steps up demand for faster deliveries
Uma Negi, Global Head Marketing, Partner ProgrammeLearning, Softlink Global
Many firms view digital transformation as an expense rather than an efficiency multiplier. The industry’s patchwork of legacy systems creates integration challenges, but the hurdle is data standardisation—sans alignment across industry, even the best tech is underutilised. Tech is not about replacing expertise but enhancing decision-making. Logi-Sys helps forwarders automate workflows, while saving human oversight. E-commerce boom intensified demand for rapid air cargo deliveries. Speed and sustainability coexist through route optimisation and AI-driven planning.”
Cybersecurity & data privacy major concern
Nomita Kothari, CEO, New Globe Logistik LLP
India is one of the fastest-growing aviation and logistics markets. We are leveraging digital platforms and blockchain technology to enhance efficiencies, transparency, and security in air cargo shipments. Several initiatives and innovations are shaping the industry, such as Air Cargo Community System, Electronic Air Waybill. Blockchain ensures documents such as invoices, customs declarations, and airway bills are secure. Cybersecurity and data privacy is a major concern and under constant threat. The adoption of digital platforms and blockchain in India’s cargo sector is improving efficiency.”
Climate control, tech to cut energy consumption
Anupama Kacchap, Head, Commercial, Worldwide Flight Services
Today there is insufficient integration and inter-linking of first, middle and last-mile elements of supply chain, leading to delays, damages and higher costs. A key differentiator towards this are digital technologies and community platforms that can host all players together, rather than having standalone systems. The new age airport community systems such as the Galaxy ACS being used by WFS Bengaluru via BLR Cargo is one such system. It brings direct digital integration with regulators and stakeholders. Within SATS Group and at WFS Bengaluru, we are looking at ways to decarbonise ops.”
Digital platforms make transactions transparent
Chandrima Govil, Director, MKF Logistics
Cargo transactions become transparent, accessible to all stakeholders and less prone to errors or tampering. Digital platforms such as cloud-based tracking systems, provide visibility of shipments, ensuring customers and operators can track their goods in real-time, improving communication and efficiency. The industry faces several constraints, while adopting new technologies. Digital platforms and blockchain are transforming air cargo by enhancing transparency and security. Blockchain’s decentralised ledger enables real-time tracking of goods, ensuring data integrity and minimising fraud.”
Carbon tax regulations push firms to innovate
Sonia Nair, National Head, Customer Service, Blue Dart
While high implementation costs and complexity pose challenges, adopting these innovations is no longer optional but essential to maintaining a competitive edge. The future of air cargo logistics depends on digitising to drive operational excellence and create a transparent, secure, and sustainable supply chain. By leveraging fuel-efficient tech, optimising operations, and embracing green practices, companies can meet deadlines while minimising their environmental impact. Technology and sustainability will work as twin engines driving the future of air cargo growth.”
