ACFI South India Conclave 2025 Concludes Successfully, Calls for Regional Cooperation to Drive Global Competitiveness

The event served as a vital platform for discussions on regional connectivity, infrastructure expansion, regulatory alignment, and the role of technology in transforming South India’s air cargo ecosystem. It commenced with the inaugural session, featuring keynote addresses from industry leaders and dignitaries. Mr. Sanjiv Edward, President of Air Cargo Forum India, addressing the gathering highlighted the tremendous growth of the air cargo industry, stating, “India’s aviation and air cargo sectors are poised for remarkable growth, with projections showing the market could double by 2032. As South Asia becomes the heart of this expansion, Indian air cargo is set to play a pivotal role on the global stage. By enhancing our infrastructure, developing tier 2 and tier 3 facilities, and embracing multimodal solutions, we are not only aiming for an ambitious target of 10 million metric tons by 2030 but also ensuring India remains a key player in the global logistics market.” During his address, Mr. Edward announced the launch of two key pillars at ACFI: The Women Empowerment Pillar and the Outreach and Regional Engagement Pillar. The Women Empowerment Pillar, led by Ms. Reshma Zaheer, Chairwoman of the Women Empowerment Pillar at ACFI and COO of TT Logistics, is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and empowerment within the air cargo and logistics industry. Meanwhile, the Outreach and Regional Engagement Pillar, headed by Satish Lakkaraju, Board Member and Chairman of the Outreach Pillar at ACFI, and CEO of Nexgen Logistics Private Limited, focuses on expanding ACFI’s reach and fostering regional collaboration to support growth and innovation across the industry.

During the inaugural session, Mr. Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GMR Hyderabad Airport, shared his insights, saying,… As we expand our cargo terminals to accommodate future growth, we are not just preparing for increased volume, but also ensuring that we continue to support India’s economic growth by strengthening our air cargo capabilities for years to come.”

Mr. Sandeep Prakash (IRS) addressed the conclave, stating, “…As we move forward, we are committed to further simplifying our systems, with initiatives like the automated out-of-charge system already benefiting 15% of authorized operators. I look forward to the valuable insights from this conference, especially regarding the growth potential of southern Indian airports, which hold great promise in driving our manufacturing hub’s global reach.”

Other industry leaders and ACFI committee members including Mr. Kamal Jain, Chairman of the ACFI Hyderabad Chapter and Director of Cargomen Logistics India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Karanjit Singh Wadhwa, Chairman of the ACFI Event Management Task Pillar and Director of Grace Group, and Mr. Satish Lakkaraju, CEO of Nexgen Logistics Private Limited, set the stage for the conclave by emphasizing the need for technology adoption, regulatory streamlining, and sustainability in air cargo operations.

The event featured insightful panel discussions and fireside chats covering crucial topics such as: Bridging Trade Imbalances—Strategies to build a sustainable air cargo industry; Airline-Airport Coordination—Enhancing collaboration for economic growth; Building Strong-Cargo Infrastructure on Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities Airports and Building a Thriving Air Cargo Ecosystem: The Role of Allied Agencies One of the key highlights of the event was the launch of the Cargo Customer Loyalty Program by GMR Aero Logistics, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing customer experience in cargo operations. .

The event concluded with the felicitation of sponsors, followed by a vote of thanks by Mr. V. V. Satish (GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo)…With leaders from across the air cargo value chain coming together, the conclave reaffirmed South India’s crucial role in shaping the future of air logistics in India and beyond.