The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) launched its unique and landmark ‘Air Cargo Awards 2023-24,’ on 15th November 2023 aimed to recognize and acknowledge the most innovative initiatives, ideas and solutions addressing the challenges faced by the air cargo supply chain and logistics industry. These awards will recognize and inspire innovative thinking and research within the air cargo logistics domain.

ACFI represents all stakeholders in the air cargo industry and proudly serves as the leading voice of the Indian air cargo logistics sector, dedicated to its comprehensive growth and development.

The core objective behind these awards is to support and promote innovative concepts, research endeavours, and studies within the air cargo logistics domain, with the overarching aim of enhancing and fostering its progress. Ultimately, through these Awards, ACFI aspires to contribute towards the advancement of the Air Cargo logistics industry and economy at large.

ACFI’s ‘Knowledge & Research Task Pillar’ chaired by Mr. Keku Bomi Gazder, has created the layout of the Awards.

Five (5) categories have been devised based on the aspects of innovation and utopian perfection. Hence, a neologism – ‘INNOVATOPIA’ has been coined and prefixed before every category’s title to establish their unique identity.

CATEGORY – 1: Innovatopia Award for Enhanced Customer Experience
Use an innovative idea or concept to enhance Customer Experience via increased quality, visibility, simplified processes & modernized systems in the air cargo industry.

CATEGORY – 2: Innovatopia Award in Competitiveness
Use an innovative idea or concept to improve competitiveness via optimization of costs, enhance efficiency and improve capacity utilization in the air cargo industry through out of the box solutions.

CATEGORY – 3: Innovatopia Award in Air Cargo Safety & Security
Use an innovative idea or concept to improve Safety and Security in Air Cargo via latest technological advancement in the air cargo industry.

CATEGORY – 4: Innovatopia Award in Digitization
Use an innovative idea or concept by which we can speed up digitization in the Air Cargo industry.

CATEGORY – 5: Innovatopia Award Sustainability & Go Green efforts

Use an innovative idea or concept to address Sustainability challenges and contribute to any “Go Green” project in the Air Cargo industry.

Nominations for various categories of awards will be accepted exclusively through online submissions. The nomination window has been opened from 15th November, 2023 to 15th January 2024.

The final winners will be decided by an esteemed ‘Panel of Jury‘ members from across the globe, comprising:

Mr. Ashwin Bhat – Global Chief Executive Officer, Lufthansa Cargo

Mr. Ajay Singh – Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet

Mr. Glyn Hughes – Director General, TIACA

Mr. Keshav Tanna – Managing Director, Links Logistics

Mr. Pradeep Panicker – Chief Executive Officer, Hyderabad Airport

Ms. Vandana Aggarwal, Former Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA)

Mr. Keku Bomi Gazdar, Governing Board Member – ACFI and MD & CEO – AviaPro Logistics Services Pvt Ltd

Emphasizing the important role that ACFI Innovation Awards 2023-24 will play, Mr. Yashpal Sharma, ACFI President said, ‘’As the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected and reliant on the air cargo, recognizing and celebrating innovation and excellence in the industry has become more important than ever. Through acknowledging exceptional accomplishments, these awards seek to motivate individuals and organizations to embrace creative thinking and propel growth in the industry. The Air Cargo Innovation Awards will serve as a pivotal force in encouraging and applauding forward-thinking contributors who lead in enhancing air cargo and aviation services, thereby positively impacting the global economy and trade. The industry’s success relies on the expertise and commitment of the people who work in it, and the ACFI Innovation Awards will undoubtedly motivate individuals and teams to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards.’’

‘’By establishing the ACFI Innovation Awards 2023-24, we not only commend the outstanding work that is being done within the sector but also encourage innovation and continuous improvement within the Air Cargo fraternity. I look forward to witnessing the recognition and celebration of talent within the Air Cargo industry. These awards will serve as a well-deserved spotlight on those who work tirelessly to contribute towards the growth of the industry. This initiative will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for all those involved in the air cargo sector, and I am confident that our awards framework will help shape the industry’s future,’’ commented Keku Bomi Gazder, ACFI Governing Board Member & Chairman -Knowledge & Research Task Pillar.

ACFI seeks support from industry colleagues to promote the ACFI Innovation Awards 2023-24 within their trade circles to encourage involvement of different industry stakeholders for its wider reach.