A transformational vision for air cargo

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) is spearheading a transformation of India’s airfreight industry through modernisation, digital adoption, sustainability, and policy alignment. At the core of this agenda is the push for digital transformation, particularly universal adoption of electronic Air Waybills (e-AWB) and paperless documentation.

Policy and partnerships

ACAAI is actively engaging with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to streamline procedures, build multimodal hubs, and develop cargo villages. The association has laid a pivotal role in digitising customs clearance, promoting faceless assessments, and enhancing the SWIFT platform.

It also works with airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad to introduce real-time tracking, automated gate passes, and wider e-AWB adoption.

Partnerships with FIATA, ICAO, and IATA are strengthening workforce development in areas like digital logistics, compliance, sustainability, and dangerous goods handling. Supporting family businesses and attracting young talent remain priorities.

Operational challenges

Govil highlights persistent challenges such as limited infrastructure at smaller airports, congestion during peak seasons, and lack of temperature-controlled storage. He advocates PPP-led investments and greater use of secondary airports. Customs processes, though digitised, remain prone to delays, while cost unpredictability–hidden charges, fuel surcharges, and fees–adds pressure. ACAAI proposes an industry-wide pricing index and multimodal contracts to stabilize costs.

Skill deficits and slow technology adoption among smaller freight forwarders are also barriers. ACAAI is addressing this through accredited training and digital adoption incentives. secondary airports. Customs processes, though digitised, remain prone to delays, while cost unpredictability–hidden charges, fuel surcharges, and fees–adds pressure. ACAAI proposes an industry-wide pricing index and multimodal contracts to stabilize costs. Skill deficits and slow technology adoption among smaller freight forwarders are also barriers. ACAAI is addressing this through accredited training and digital adoption incentives.

The tech edge

Govil envisions AI, IoT, and blockchain as integral to future air cargo operations–from pricing and fraud prevention to route planning and cargo tracking. Cargo Community Systems (CCS), developed by AAICLAS and GMR, are already improving collaboration and transparency. However, the digital divide among MSMEs must be bridged for full benefits.

Aligning with national vision

By championing digitalization, skill development, regulatory reform, and multimodal solutions, ACAAI is aligning air cargo with the NLP’s vision of reducing logistics costs and building globally competitive supply chains. With strong international engagement through FIATA, IATA, and TIACA, ACAAI is ensuring India emerges as a key player in shaping the future of global air cargo.