Air Logistics Group-India, MD, Vikramjit Singh Ahluwalia, interacted with Cargo Insights. In this conversation, we delved into the fascinating journey of Air Logistics Group’s (ALG) presence in India.
The story of Air Logistics Group can be traced back to its strong foothold in Europe, North America, and South America. The organisation’s journey began in 1994, when it was founded in the UK with a clear vision of expanding its operations to the Indian subcontinent and Hong Kong. This vision materialised in 2004, when the Indian presence was officially established, with its headquarters in Delhi. The strategic choice of India as a location was driven by existing connections and a commitment to better serve the company’s European clients.
The Indian air cargo market is unique, characterised by a personalised industry that places a premium on personal relationships within the forwarding community
This interview with Vikramjit Singh Ahluwalia provides a fascinating insight into the evolution and growth of the Air Logistics Group-India (ALG), showcasing how a global logistics leader expanded its reach and established a strong presence in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
As Air Logistics Group-India approaches its second decade of operation in the country, it’s evident that the journey has been marked by remarkable growth and expansion. They now boast a robust presence across India, extending its reach to major international airports and collaborating with airline partners. Establishing partnerships with airlines in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai has been a cornerstone of their operations.
The Indian air cargo market presents a unique landscape, characterised by a personalised industry that highly values interpersonal relationships within the forwarding community. The ALG-India’s success is rooted in its ability to provide round-theclock responses and maintain the right attitude in this 24/7 relationship-based business. The stark differences between the Indian market and the Western world emphasise the need to understand and adapt to the specific dynamics and demands of the Indian air cargo industry. Approaching its 20th anniversary, the ALG-India continues to evolve, solidifying its role as a vital link in the global operations of the Air Logistics Group.
ALG-India
Air Logistics Group-India has been pivotal in ascent as a global cargo GSSA leader. In the past decade, it has harnessed opportunities in the Asian market, securing new contracts amidst the emergence of airlines and the expanded reach of existing ones. Its success in India has contributed significantly to the global growth of Air Logistics Group, highlighting the unique potential and challenges that the Indian market offers to this industry leader.
Air Logistics Group is strategically positioned as a formidable partner for airlines seeking the advantages of outsourcing
Service Evolution
ALG-India caters to the evolving needs of airlines and forwarding clients by prioritising service excellence. In a competitive landscape, they meet customer expectations with value-added services. Continuous investment in technology, a dedicated pharmaceutical platform, and versatile solutions align with industry demands. Their commitment to addressing every request, underscores the importance of agility and speed in the modern air cargo world.
Strategic Outsourcing
ALG is strategically positioned as a formidable partner for airlines seeking the advantages of outsourcing. Financial stability is a cornerstone of their reputation, underpinned by support from institutional investors. ALG stands as a strong collaborator, recognised for adding substantial value in terms of revenue, network coverage, and a deep understanding of airline and forwarding clients’ requirements.
What sets ALG apart is its holistic approach. It transcends the conventional notion of a mere selling solution and offers a range of supplementary services. These encompass administrative and back-office functions, cutting-edge IT solutions, and business intelligence capabilities. Their experienced sales and customer service teams round out this comprehensive offering.
Airlines have the flexibility to cherry-pick from this array of services, tailored to their specific needs. This customisation ensures a seamless and efficient cargo operation, which, in turn, acts as a vital revenue stream for airlines, significantly impacting their overall success.
ALG’s commitment to delivering more than just sales assistance and its dedication to being a one-stop solution provider for airlines solidify its reputation as a strategic outsourcing partner in the air cargo industry. This approach aligns with the growing recognition of the benefits of outsourcing in the dynamic air cargo sector.
As part of a global corporation reporting to institutional investors, ALG is obligated to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Digital Transformation
Air Logistics Group’s substantial investments in IT and digitalisation are at the forefront of enhancing their services and meeting the evolving demands of the digital age within the air cargo industry. As a General Sales & Service Agency (GSSA), they have emerged as a significant player in the supply chain. They recognise the importance of online booking platforms and view them as a positive evolution for the freight forwarding sector. To cater to their forwarder and airline clients, ALG offers multiple sales channels, embracing online, email, and telephone-based approaches to generate business.
While the digital landscape evolves, ALG remains committed to providing top-notch service for shipments exceeding 1000 kg, dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals, and oversized cargo. In these specialised areas, their experienced employees continue to be the go-to resource, ensuring the highest level of service excellence.
A key element of their technological investment is business intelligence, enabling their teams to access commercial knowledge and real-time data. This empowers them to outperform the market by swiftly delivering the right information for sound business decisions. The shift from traditional manual reporting to proactive technology-driven management has significantly improved their speed to market on quotations and created substantial efficiencies.
ALG’s ongoing commitment to digitalisation, including the utilisation of the Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (PBI) platform, provides their teams with the most up-to-date data on laptops and mobile devices. This technology empowers them to identify and monitor current performance and market trends, aligning their operations with the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the air cargo industry.
Impactful Success
ALG-India boasts a compelling success story defined by its swift emergence and adaptable approach. With an existing system in place, it seamlessly integrates with its airline clients and forwarding partners, making it a plug-and-play solution.
A pivotal aspect is their understanding of the crucial link between profitability and airline operations. Notably, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, they operated freighters consistently on behalf of their airline partners in India. These operations included successful flights to Europe using Boeing 777 aircraft, B-787-9 PTC to Japan and Asia all through COVID time and the Business-to-Business (B2B) model. This initiative began in 2020 and continued through 2021 and 2022.
Their ability to navigate the pandemic while maintaining operations reflects their agility and commitment to finding solutions that generate revenue for their clients. They have very much grown their operations in India, indicating their confidence in Air Logistics Group’s performance.
ALG-India’s impact is indeed remarkable, demonstrating its ability to swiftly adapt to market dynamics, ensure operational profitability, and create opportunities for its airline clients and forwarding partners. These success stories underscore its pivotal role in the broader context of ALG’s global operations, where India is emerging as a prominent success story in the aviation and air cargo industries.
Customer-Centric
Air Logistics Group-India distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to outstanding customer service in the digital age. While the industry undergoes substantial digitisation, ALG recognises that the growth of e-sales channels and digital platforms doesn’t eliminate the need for manual expertise. Skilled and experienced employees remain pivotal in navigating the complexities of digitalisation.
In tandem with digital advancements, Air Logistics Group acknowledges the uniqueness of each shipment, whether it’s high-value cargo or temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals. They adopt a holistic approach by taking ownership of bookings and ensuring safe delivery to the final destination. This personalised service extends to having local experts available for forwarding and airline clients, providing crucial support throughout the entire process.
ALG’s pride in its employees and their accomplishments over the last 30 years underscores the human element’s value within the digital transformation. The knowledge and experience brought by their workforce complement the ongoing digital enhancements. This customer-centric approach, bridging the gap between digital innovation and hands-on expertise, sets ALG- India apart in the market and reinforces its reputation for exceptional service.
Transparency Assurance
Air Logistics Group places a high premium on transparency and compliance, recognising their pivotal roles in the air cargo industry. As part of a global corporation reporting to institutional investors, ALG is obligated to uphold the highest standards of integrity. To ensure transparency and compliance, ALG-India adheres to a recognised industry compliance programme that is consistently applied across all stations within its extensive network. This steadfast commitment ensures that industry standards are not just met but maintained consistently. By upholding these stringent guidelines, they not only safeguard their own operations but also benefit their clients and the broader industry by promoting best practices, ethical conduct, and accountability. This dedication to transparency and compliance is a cornerstone of ALG’s reputation and contributes to the trust and credibility it enjoys in the air cargo sector.
Regional Expansion
Air Logistics Group-India is primed for regional expansion, focusing on growth in Tier 2 airports with an eye on Tier 1 major international airports. The evolving landscape of the Indian aviation and logistics sectors is driving airlines to explore Tier 2 cities, where ALG-India can provide seamless air cargo solutions. Leveraging technology, they aim to maximise revenue while minimising costs for their partners. As a General Sales & Service Agency (GSSA), their mission is two-fold: to serve specific airlines and to cater to forwarders. Originally concentrating on major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, they’ve adapted to the changing industry landscape. With more airlines extending their operations to cities like Cochin and Ahmedabad, the ALG-India remains agile, mirroring the requirements and aspirations of their clients. Their strategy aligns with the growing opportunities in India’s aviation and logistics sectors and reflects a commitment to being at the forefront of this dynamic industry, expanding their footprint, and enhancing their impact in the region.
Market Adaptation
Air Logistics Group thrives in the country’s diverse and dynamic market while upholding global excellence standards. Faced with intense competition, customers demand more, pushing ALG to streamline processes. To succeed in this challenging environment, they maintain a 24/7 presence, ensuring high-quality deliverables and transparency in all operations.
As Air Logistics Group approach their 30th year in 2024, ALG-India is poised for growth and expansion within Asia. Initiatives in the pipeline are aimed at equipping their teams with the tools needed to enhance sales and yields for their partners. These initiatives will focus on realising efficiencies, fostering innovation, and sustaining a high level of service excellence.
Their ability to adapt and excel in the Indian market while upholding global standards is a testament to their commitment to meeting the unique needs and challenges of this dynamic region. Their ongoing initiatives and future projects reflect their dedication to continuous improvement and their role as a trusted partner in the air cargo industry.
