More belly capacity, routes to revolutionise air cargo

This year marked a transformative year for SpiceXpress as the airline speeded up its growth trajectory with expanded capacity, new global routes, and digital upgrades, says Amit Chadha, Head, SpiceXpress. The airlines enhanced operational efficiency through advanced cargo management, he adds.

- CT Bureau

How would you sum up 2025 for SpiceXpress in terms of growth, volumes, and network expansion?

This year, 18 new aircraft were inducted, which enhanced the belly capacity and allowed SpiceXpress to serve vital domestic and regional routes. On the global front, Phuket, Kathmandu, Ho Chi Minh City, and Sharjah were added to strengthen the airline's presence in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. These new links have opened trade corridors for Indian exporters and enabled quicker, more reliable cargo movements across sectors such as e-commerce, perishables, and pharma.

Overall, this year has been a year of consolidation and strategic growth. We expanded our reach but also improved our operational efficiency and service reliability, positioning SpiceXpress as one of fast-growing cargo airlines in the region.

What were the lessons learnt in managing cargo operations in a competitive air freight market?

One of the lessons has been the importance of agility and foresight in operations. The cargo market continues to evolve rapidly, with shifting demand patterns, changing regulatory landscape, and heightened competition. We learnt to anticipate market flow and respond quickly with the right capacity, network, and product mix crucial to stay ahead. Another takeaway has been the value of digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. Leveraging real-time data for route optimisation, yield management, and tracking has helped us improve efficiency.

The year reinforced collaboration — whether with airport operators, logistics partners, or technology providers. Building a connected ecosystem is essential to maintaining consistency in a fast-moving and competitive environment.

Were there any surprising cargo routes or commodities that outperformed expectations this year?