Mr. Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director at Continental Carriers Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL), shares insights into the critical role of specialised logistics in aerospace and defence supply chains. He discusses CCPL expertise in Aircraft on Ground (AOG) services, specialised cargo handling, customs clearance and complex aircraft movements, highlighting how precision, speed and regulatory compliance help keep aircraft operational and critical supply chains moving.

In aerospace and defence, a delayed consignment is rarely just a delay. An aircraft grounded for want of a critical component can disrupt operations and incur significant costs, while equipment held up in transit can affect maintenance schedules and defence preparedness. Aerospace and defence logistics is a specialised discipline requiring speed, technical expertise, regulatory compliance and secure handling.

With India strengthening its aviation ecosystem and expanding domestic defence manufacturing, dependable, time-critical logistics is becoming increasingly important.

Established in 1957, Continental Carriers Pvt. Ltd. (CCPL) is an established Indian freight forwarding and integrated logistics company, operating through 19 offices across Indian cities and supported by an extensive international network of agency partners. The company offers end-to-end solutions spanning international air and ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, domestic distribution and supply chain management, with specialised expertise across diverse industry verticals. With nearly seven decades of experience, CCPL combines operational knowledge with customer-focused logistics solutions. Its pioneering establishment of India’s first Greenfield Air Freight Station (AFS) further underscores its commitment to innovation and the development of the country’s air cargo infrastructure.

CCPL was the first Indian company to establish a dedicated Aircraft on Ground (AOG) services desk, now operating round the clock across all metro stations. Supporting Indian carriers, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), the service prioritises urgent shipments where every hour matters. Teams across CCPL stations receive Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) training, essential for handling regulated aviation cargo.

Customs clearance and documentation are equally critical. Errors in classification or paperwork can delay urgently required aviation spares. CCPL combines freight forwarding with customs brokerage under Customs Broker Licence No. R06 and is developing an import bonded warehouse dedicated to aviation spares to support the storage and clearance of high-value, time-sensitive components.

Its expertise extends to complex aircraft and engine movements, including air-ride trucking, airside collection and delivery, and stand movements. CCPL also handles specialised and hazardous aviation materials such as oxygen generators, oxygen cylinders, ignition cartridges, inflatable slides, lubricants, sealants and radioactive substances, subject to applicable packaging, documentation and handling requirements. Its helicopter logistics capabilities include door-to-door transportation of Airbus and Bell helicopters, with flexibility in charter arrangements. The company moves close to ten new Airbus helicopters into India and Nepal annually. In FY 2023–24, it also moved 106 Tecnam P2008 aircraft from the European Union, demonstrating its ability to coordinate complex, large-scale international movements.

Repair-and-return logistics demands precision, coordination and end-to-end traceability. CCPL manages the complete process, from component removal and tagging to shipment under a Return Material Authorisation (RMA), repair and certification, return transportation and reinstallation. Coordinating documentation, customs formalities and multiple handovers helps maintain traceability throughout the repair cycle.

In defence logistics, CCPL is registered with Embarkation Headquarters and empanelled with the Indian Air Force’s 31 MCU and the Indian Navy at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Goa. Its experience also includes managing a performance-based logistics contract with Airbus Spain for the Indian Air Force and Tata Advanced Systems.

As India strengthens its position in global aerospace and defence supply chains, logistics capability will remain integral to operational readiness. CCPL’s combination of round-the-clock AOG support, customs expertise, specialised cargo handling and complex movement management helps keep aircraft operational and critical supply chains moving.