The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)

What The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) does

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) is a Mumbai-headquartered, non-profit industry association founded in 1970 to represent India's air cargo agents and freight forwarders. It operates with a 13-person paid staff from a Head Office in Mumbai and eight regional chapter offices across New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Cochin, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Membership stands at approximately 600 organisations, a figure largely unchanged in scale terms, although the association continues to expand its engagement footprint with Indian and Asia-Pacific stakeholders.

ACAAI's core offerings are membership services, professional training programmes (notably Dangerous Goods Regulations certification delivered in collaboration with training partners DGM India and NALM), an annual convention held at international locations (Bangkok 2022, Kuala Lumpur 2023, Bali 2025), regional chapter meetings and a monthly newsletter distributed to members. There is no proprietary technology product, software platform or AI offering; operations are supported by a standard WordPress website and email/newsletter distribution.

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring membership fees from cargo agents and freight forwarders, training programme fees, and event/conference registration, sponsorship and exhibition revenues. The association maintains working relationships with Indian regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, CBIC, BCAS, AAI, AAICLAS, AERA and DPIIT, and with international bodies including FIATA (where Indian-origin office bearers occupy senior posts), FAPAA and IATA. It does not have external investors or parent ownership and operates as an independent member-governed body.

Name

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)

Legal name

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India

Website

https://acaai.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACAAI is a 55-year-old Mumbai-based, non-profit national trade association representing nearly 600 Indian air cargo agents and freight forwarders through eight regional chapters, offering membership, DGR training, annual conventions, and policy advocacy with government and bodies like FIATA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Cargo Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators (THABAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hazmat Air Cargo Transport (IATA DGR compliant) (TLADAIAH)

Keywords

• Air cargo association
• Freight forwarding advocacy
• Dangerous goods training
• Industry representation services
• Trade association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: ACAAI generates revenue through membership fees from air cargo agents, freight forwarders, and related industry professionals. The association provides membership certificates and professional recognition to members.
2. Training programs: The association conducts DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) training, basic cargo training, and other professional development programs for members and industry professionals in collaboration with partners like DGM India and NALM.
3. Convention and event registration: Annual conventions and regional events generate revenue through attendee registrations, sponsorship sales, and exhibition stall rentals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACAAI is a non-profit industry trade association providing membership-based professional representation, regulatory guidance, and advocacy for approximately 600 air cargo agents and freight forwarders in India. Its core offerings include Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) training and other professional development programs delivered with training partners DGM India and NALM, annual conventions and regional meetings for industry networking, monthly newsletters with industry intelligence, and liaison with government ministries (Ministry of Civil Aviation, CBIC), airport operators (AAI, GMR DIAL, Adani, AISATS), and international bodies (IATA, FIATA, FAPAA).

Product overview

ACAAI is an industry association offering membership services, professional training programs (DGR training, basic cargo training), annual conventions, monthly newsletters, and regional chapter activities. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform; its core offerings are membership-based advocacy, training, and industry event services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACAAI Membership Services Industry association membership providing professional assistance, regulatory guidance, advocacy with government ministries and international bodies (IATA, FIATA, FAPAA), and an industry recognition certificate to approximately 600 member companies across India.
• ACAAI Training Programs (including DGR Certification) Professional development and certification programs for the air cargo industry, including Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) training, basic cargo training, and recurrent training conducted in collaboration with DGM India and NALM for air cargo agents and freight forwarders.
• ACAAI Annual Convention Annual industry conventions featuring themed business sessions, networking opportunities, and fellowship activities, held at various locations in India and overseas to enable cross-border networking for air cargo professionals.
• ACAAI Monthly Newsletter Monthly newsletter ('ACAAI Highlights') covering industry news, regulatory updates, events, and developments for association members, available as digital publications on the ACAAI website.
• Regional Chapter Activities Region-based activities organized through ACAAI's 8 regional chapters (Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad), including stakeholder meetings, training sessions, industry visits, and member engagement events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mr. Keshav Tanna elected as Secretary General of FIATA - representing India's leadership in global logistics
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025ACAAI is an active member of FIATA, participating in World Congresses and Regional Asia-Pacific meetings. ACAAI President Mr. Samir J Shah serves as Vice Chair of FIATA's Customs Affairs Institute (CAI). Mr. Keshav Tanna was elected Secretary General of FIATA in 2025. ACAAI successfully hosted the FIATA RAP Meeting in India in May 2025.
• FAPAA (Freight Agents Pacific Area)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025ACAAI is represented at FAPAA Executive Council Meetings and AGMs. Mr. Keshav Tanna and Mr. C K Govil attended the 49th FAPAA ECM and AGM in Bali, Indonesia in June 2023.
• Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) - Adani GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025ACAAI Western Region organized an exclusive visit to NMIA (Adani Group project) on August 12, 2025. Collaboration on upcoming airport cargo facilities and infrastructure.
• FFFAI (Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024FFFAI is a key partner organization in India. ACAAI President Mr C K Govil was honoured by FFFAI during their 61st AGM in Delhi on September 30, 2024. Both organizations collaborate on industry matters.
• GMR Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024ACAAI was recognized at GMR DIAL's Samvaya 2.0 event for helping reach one million metric tonnes milestone. Collaboration on cargo operations and stakeholder engagement at Delhi airport.
• Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024AISATS hosted roadshow for ACAAI team showcasing plans for Noida International Airport Cargo facility. ACAAI participated in site visit at Jewar on April 3, 2024.
• International Ocean Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association of TaiwanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2024Mr. Jason Kuo, Executive Director, paid a courtesy call to ACAAI President Mr C K Govil to discuss synergies between India and Taiwan in logistics sector.
• Ministry of Civil AviationcoreOthersACAAI works closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on matters including DGR training, transshipment, and issues affecting air cargo operations. Met with Secretary Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam in 2024.
• CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs)coreOthersACAAI collaborates with CBIC on customs-related matters including VEGA initiative, AEO benefits, and trade facilitation. Met with new Chairman Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal in August 2023.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI)coreOthersAAI is a key government stakeholder for air cargo operations at Indian airports. ACAAI maintains working relationships with AAI officials.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIATA is listed as a useful link on ACAAI website. ACAAI collaborates with IATA on industry standards and practices for air cargo operations.
• DGM IndiacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner for DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) training programs. DGM India provides instructor support for ACAAI's training initiatives.
• NALM (National Association of Logistic Services)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates with ACAAI Northern Region for DGR training programs in Delhi.
• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)coreOthersListed as useful link - ACAAI maintains working relationship with BCAS on security-related matters for air cargo.
• Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA)minorOthersListed as useful link on ACAAI website for industry regulatory matters.
• Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association (BCBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCBA organized a Conclave in Mumbai where ACAAI President Mr C K Govil was facilitated. Both associations collaborate on customs-related matters.
• DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)coreOthersACAAI participated in DPIIT-organised Workshop on Logistics Cost Framework. ACAAI President met Special Secretary Ms Sumita Dawra to discuss trade issues.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Global airline industry association whose standards (including the IATA DGR) underpin ACAAI's training offering and link both organizations as adjacent industry bodies in the air cargo value chain.
• International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA): Global umbrella federation of forwarding associations. ACAAI is an active member whose leaders now hold senior FIATA offices, making FIATA the closest global incumbent overseeing the same constituency.

Regional players

• British International Freight Association (BIFA): UK trade association for international freight forwarders, providing comparable member services, training, and policy advocacy. Peer for understanding mature association economics in another geography.
• Freight Agents Pacific Area (FAPAA): Regional federation of freight forwarding associations across Asia-Pacific. ACAAI is a member and attends FAPAA Executive Council meetings, making it a directly comparable regional industry association peer.
• Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA): National Canadian freight forwarding association with analogous advocacy, training and member-service mandate. Useful structural peer for benchmarking non-profit association operations and revenue mix.
• Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF): Australian national body representing international freight forwarders and customs brokers. Comparable in structure and mission to ACAAI, providing a benchmark for association operations in another regional market.

Direct peers

• National Association of Logistic Services (NALM): Indian logistics industry body that co-delivers DGR and professional training with ACAAI. Comparable membership-association model serving freight and logistics professionals in India.
• Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association (BCBA): Mumbai-based association of customs brokers active in cargo clearance. Similar trade association structure focused on customs-related advocacy, with documented collaboration with ACAAI leadership.
• Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI): India-focused air cargo industry forum that organises an annual conclave and convenes cargo stakeholders. Overlaps directly with ACAAI's air cargo member base and recognized ACAAI leadership at its 2023 event.
• Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI): National Indian trade body for freight forwarders, including air cargo, with similar advocacy, training and government liaison functions. FFFAI is ACAAI's closest domestic counterpart and active partner on industry matters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acaaiofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/acaaiofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)