Apace Digital Cargo interviewed Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo. IAG Cargo, a prominent player in the global cargo industry, has been steadily expanding its operations and presence in various markets worldwide. With an eye on the dynamic Indian market, we had the opportunity to gain insights into the company’s strategic approach, expansion plans, digital integration efforts, and sustainability initiatives. In this interview, we delve into the intricacies of IAG Cargo’s operations in India, exploring their unique strategy for this market, their growth plans, their utilization of digital technologies for enhanced efficiency, and their commitment to sustainability. Here are the excerpts:
India is an incredibly important region to us at IAG Cargo – we have the unique ability to stay agile and support the movements of crucial commodities, such as pharmaceuticals, garments, perishables and consumer technology. Our dedicated team in India are focused on optimising the aircraft available, whilst leveraging our trucking network to ensure seamless export of goods. So, for example, if all the flights are full in Chennai, we will use trucks to transport the customer cargo to Bangalore – allowing us to optimise all capacity available from the five stations.
Investing in new technologies and sustainable practices is central to our business operations, and we are proud to be making some significant changes with the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). IAG was the first European airline group to commit to 10% SAF on flights by 2030. We know that SAF is one of the most viable options for sufficiently reducing emissions today and over the coming decades.
We have also implemented environmentally friendly changes across our entire operations – not just the fuel used in airplanes. We began testing the first electric cargo Terberg at London Heathrow last year, with the ambition to transition our current diesel fleet to more sustainable alternatives such as electric. We have introduced a sustainable film for wrapping cargo that is 100% recyclable and biodegradable in landfills. This is beneficial on a global scale, where the receiving country of the goods will be able to effectively dispose of the film.
We’re also proud to have recently opened New Premia – IAG Cargo’s new home for handling premium loose shipments. The new dedicated 10,000m2 semi-automated facility will increase IAG Cargo’s London Heathrow handling capability and capacity. This state-of-the-art facility will bring immense benefits to our pharmaceutical customers. Given India’s growing recognition for its expertise in the field of pharmaceuticals, I eagerly anticipate expanding our collaboration with Indian customers who will reap significant benefits from this facility and our Constant Climate product.
