Recent trade pacts between India and the UAE have an advantage in clearing customs and quick movement of air freight. For Sky One, such agreements provide new corridors, strengthen links and enhance JIT delivery, improving operational efficiencies, says Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman, Sky One.
CT Bureau
As the global air cargo is moving towards recovery, how do you forecast its impact on India?
The cargo market is likely to witness growth along the lines of the recovering global sector. The biggest factor is, perhaps, the increase in the reach of e-commerce activity beyond the metros. This has propelled the industry to spruce up infrastructure and explore new routes. Initiatives such as PMGS have led to the growth of regional connectivity. Sky One foresees various possibilities in pharma, farm and manufacturing industries. Considering India’s standing as a geographical trade centre, we believe air cargo traffic will grow on the backs of exports and imports.
What measures were taken by Sky One to strengthen foreign trade ties in India?
Sky One, due to its base in the UAE, has good ties with the government, trade associations, and industry partners in India. We focus on offering tailored cargo solutions for Indian exporters and by participating in international trade shows and expanding our network of strategic partnerships, we have enhanced connectivity between India and global markets.
Can you give a brief about Sky One’s freighter ops. What kind of cargo is being handled?
Sky One freighter operations are managed to provide dependable air cargo solutions. We carry perishables, pharma, cars, industrial equipment, dry cargo, and emergency relief supplies. Also, we are engaged in transporting temperature-controlled cargo, including critical supplies as well as aircraft parts and live animals.
Do you think advanced tech has become the need of the hour?
Cargo operations have been redefined, and one cannot manage them without digitisation and automation. New development has been brought in the industry through IoT, computer programmes for route optimisation, blockchain technology for supply chain transparency. Such innovations are sought by the Sky One in a bid to normalise tracking, sustain efficiency levels and cut down delays.
Some of our operations, across various independent business units, are integrating automated systems for handling of containerised cargo and employing predictive maintenance to simplify operations.
What is the impact of inter-country trade pacts on streamlining global supply chain?
Trade agreements are helpful in removing non-tariff barriers, enabling low taxation and facilitating foreign operations. The recent FTAs such as the one between India and the UAE, which speak of clearing customs and ensuring quick air cargo movement, have given Sky One new corridors, enhanced JIT delivery, improved operational efficiencies. India’s Open Skies policy will give the airlines greater scope to fortify their route structure and reduce dead links.
What is Sky One’s vision in supporting sustainability in the cargo sector?
At Sky One, we are implementing eco-friendly flight planning to reduce emissions and collaborating with ecological airports and promoting strategies on land. The UAE govt’s policy states that by 2031, locally produced SAF must represent 1 per cent of the fuel used by airlines at its airports. We are working towards implementing SAF along with suppliers working on loading optimisation for fuel efficiency.
