The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) launched its unique and landmark ‘Air Cargo Innovation Awards 2023-24’ on November 15, 2023 aimed to recognise 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 recognise 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, it emphasised in a communique.
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.
Categories
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 & modernised systems in the air cargo industry.
CATEGORY – 2: Innovatopia Award in Competitiveness
Use an innovative idea or concept to improve competitiveness via optimisation of costs, enhance efficiency and improve capacity utilisation 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 November 15, 2023 to January 15, 2024.
Distinguished Jury
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 Gazder, Governing Board Member – ACFI and MD & CEO – AviaPro Logistics Services Pvt. Ltd
Emphasising the important role that the ACFI Innovation Awards 2023-24 will play, Mr Yashpal Sharma, ACFI President, said: “As the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected and reliant on air cargo, recognising 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 organisations 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 Mr Keku Bomi Gazder, ACFI Governing Board Member & Chairman – Knowledge & Research Task Pillar.
ACFI has sought the 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, the communique added.