2024 started off slowly for the airfreight industry, but with tensions in the region and disruptions in Red Sea shipping, there has been a steady increase in demand, making the sector rethink how it operates. 

Success in this environment is all about being adaptable, innovative, and having strong partnerships. Digitalisation has been key to this – it helps to predict demand, streamline operations, and give real-time updates to our partners and customers. This has made things more efficient and improved customer experience. 

Sustainability is also becoming more important, and while airfreight has its challenges in this area, General Sales and Service Agents (GSSAs) are working with airlines that are focusing on greener technologies. 

“At Airglow, we’ve always been quick to adapt, but this year has really emphasised the need for flexibility,” Rohit Thakwani, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Airglow Aviation Services, stated.

“We’ve focused more on getting extra capacity for regions like the EU and Africa, where the Red Sea disruptions have hit the hardest. This has helped us take advantage of the opportunities in these markets while providing customised solutions for our customers. 

“Our offices in the UAE, India, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia have all performed better than in 2023, especially for shipments to the EU and Africa, where supply chain issues have pushed more cargo to airfreight,” Rohit Thakwani, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Airglow Aviation Services, stated.

“We’ve also strengthened our partnerships with airlines to optimise routes and make sure everything runs smoothly during this busy time.

“We’re optimistic about ending the year strong, as we continue adjusting to the market and working closely with our airline partners to meet customer needs.”

Drivers and discussions

e-commerce is definitely a big boom right now. People want fast and reliable delivery, especially in regions like the Middle East and India, where GSSAs had to adapt to handle high volumes. 

The cool chain has also grown a lot, particularly for things like pharmaceuticals and perishables. These shipments require extra care with handling and timing, and GSSAs have used expertise in this area to make sure they meet those strict requirements, offering strong solutions for temperature-controlled cargo.

For the rest of 2024 and into 2025, Africa is due to be a main focus for Airglow Aviation Services. It’s still an untapped market, especially in countries like Uganda and Nigeria, where there is a lot of growth potential.The Airglow team has already made good progress in Uganda, and is pushing for similar success in Nigeria. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is becoming more important for the company, and the team aims to focus more on that region as they expand there next year. 

 “At Airglow, we handle risks by keeping strong partnerships across the supply chain so we can adapt quickly if things change. We’ve also spread out our operations across different regions and markets, so we’re not overly reliant on any one area. This helps us stay resilient no matter what challenges come our way,” Thakwani outlined.

“Africa offers a big opportunity for us, especially in Uganda and Nigeria. We’ve already strengthened our teams there and secured a couple of airlines in Uganda, and we’re pushing to do the same in Nigeria. These markets are still underserved when it comes to Cargo GSA solutions that meet international standards, so we’re in a great position to provide more efficient services.

“We’re also expanding in India by adding more cities to grow our reach. Early next year, we’ll apply the same approach to Saudi Arabia, where the market is growing fast. Our strategy is to build strong local teams, form solid airline partnerships, and provide customised solutions for each market.”

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