APADCL meet focuses on enhancing  air cargo capabilities

The Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) successfully organised a high-level stakeholders’ consultation meeting focused on enhancing air cargo capabilities in the state, particularly in the Vijayawada region. The event, held on Thursday, saw participation from industry leaders, government officials, and representatives from sectors such as logistics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and airlines like SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Air India.
On the occasion, Praveen Adhithya, Managing Director of APADCL, emphasised Andhra Pradesh’s potential to become a global air cargo hub. With India’s goal of handling 10 million metric tonnes of cargo by 2030, the state’s strong production of perishable goods and strategic airports position it for growth. Investments in cold storage, warehousing, and terminals can drive economic prosperity and establish Andhra Pradesh as a key player in air logistics.
S. Suresh Kumar, Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP), highlighted the importance of establishing infrastructure to support air cargo operations, particularly in industrial corridors and port-led development areas. This was underscored during an interactive session where stakeholders raised their concerns and suggested ways the government could support existing cargo traffic.
Babu A, Secretary to GoAP, stressed the vital importance of exporting perishable goods and highlighted the need to establish dedicated air cargo and fishery hubs in Andhra Pradesh. He advocated for a cluster-based approach to enhance efficiency, boost exports, and drive sustainable growth in the sector.
N. Yuvaraj, Secretary of Industry and Commerce, emphasised the strong need for more flights from Vijayawada to major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai to enable direct cargo shipments to industrial hubs, improving efficiency and boosting economic growth.
Ajay Kumar, CEO of AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, outlined the existing air cargo facilities currently in place while emphasising the need for new, specialised infrastructure to support key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fisheries, and aquaculture. He also stressed the importance of enhancing international cargo export capabilities to meet the growing global demand.
Other notable speakers from government and industry included P. Nageswara Rao, Assistant Commissioner, Airport Customs, Vijayawada; M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy, Airport Director, Vijayawada; Satish Lakkaraju, CEO of Garudavega and Board Member of the Air Cargo Forum of India; and Jaligama Prasad, Head of Cargo Commercial, GMR Group and India Post.
They participated in the conference as panel members, sharing valuable insights on the benefits of air cargo in Andhra Pradesh, with a special emphasis on Vijayawada’s strategic role in this growing sector.