<h3 data-path-to-node="0">Mobilizing a massive cross-border standard for air freight operations, the Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) has officially announced the dates for its upcoming <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="175">7th World Conclave 2026</b>. Scheduled to take place from <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="229">August 12 to 13, 2026</b>, at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, the apex industry event will gather more than 700 international delegates. The agenda will center entirely on the theme: <i data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="405">"Reimagining Global Trade: India at the Forefront of Developing Resilient Supply Chains."</i></h3><p data-path-to-node="6">The flagship summit arrives at a critical turning point for South Asian aviation logistics, aiming to establish a collaborative, data-driven roadmap to insulate international air freight networks from ongoing airspace restrictions, shifting trade lanes, and regional economic shocks.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Curtain Raiser Pushes for 'Cargo UDAN' and Open Sky Policy Revisions</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">Ahead of the main August assembly, ACFI leadership outlined key policy transformations required to scale India's total air cargo throughput to an ambitious <b data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="156">10 million metric tonnes</b>:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Expanding Regional Tier-2 and Tier-3 Hubs:</b> A primary focus of the upcoming conclave is the structural expansion of dedicated air cargo infrastructure beyond Tier-1 metro cities. Industry experts emphasize that integrating regional manufacturing zones directly into global export loops is vital to sustaining long-term freight volume growth.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Proposing 'Cargo UDAN' Framework:</b> To address connectivity gaps in underserved manufacturing markets, the forum is advocating for a specialized "Cargo UDAN" scheme. The targeted regulatory framework would subsidize and incentivize short-haul freighter routes, helping rural agricultural and industrial processors reach international gateways quickly.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Revisiting Open Sky Policies for Freighters:</b> ACFI is urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation to review current Open Sky policies for cargo aircraft. Granting greater operational capacity and flexible landing rights to international all-cargo fleets will give domestic exporters lower freight rates and better space availability.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capitalizing on Transshipment Policy Easing:</b> The summit will highlight the successful pilot of the newly amended transshipment double-screening policy. By removing historical customs hurdles for international air-to-air cargo transfers, Indian gateways like New Delhi and Mumbai are rapidly positioning themselves as direct competitors to established global transshipment hubs.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Transitioning to Digital Workflows:</b> Panels will focus on accelerating digital transformations, including AI-driven yard management, automated ULD (Unit Load Device) tracking, and the universal adoption of digital air waybills to eliminate physical paperwork delays across international freight stations.</p></li></ul>