Delhi Cargo Service Center, which operates Cargo Terminal II at IGIA, is the busiest air cargo gateway. Handling up to 900 tonnes daily, DCSC supports the trade in pharma and perishables. DCSC is evolving from simple cargo handler into a logistics hub for South Asia, says Avinash Razdan, Group CEO, CSC Group.
Ritika Arora Bhola
How was this year for cargo operations? How does DCSC evolve in the next five to 10 years as the air cargo sector modernises?
DCSC, operating at IGIA Cargo Terminal II, continues to play a central role in the busiest air cargo gateway. Throughput has risen sharply, with daily volumes reaching 800 tonnes, and occasionally, 900 tonnes, by early 2024. While full FY 2025 figures have not been disclosed, the terminal operates within an cargo infra capable of handling 0.5 million MT annually, scalable up to 0.8 million MT. As India’s air cargo market rebounds from disruptions, demand for perishables, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and general cargo has strengthened, positioning DCSC to evolve from a national hub into a regional hub for South Asia. DCSC aims to expand capacity, enhance value-added services such as cold chain, consolidation and transshipment, and speed up digitalisation through full e-AWB, real-time visibility, and automated slot and truck-management systems building on its 24×7 digital export/import ops. With Delhi’s connectivity and strategic location, DCSC is set to function as a cargo terminal and an integrated logistics node, backing outbound exports, nationwide distribution, and the development of Cargo City ecosystems with warehousing, bonded zones, and logistics parks.
What are DCSC’s top priorities to strengthen its position as an important air cargo hub in South Asia?
DCSC and IGIA’s priorities for the coming years centre in on expanding capacity to match rising cargo throughput, developing specialised infrastructure for pharma, perishables, e-commerce, high-value goods, and express shipments. The focus will be on deepening digitalisation, enhancing paperless processing, e-AWB, cargo community systems, truck slot management, and real-time visibility. Strengthening transshipment capability and collaboration with airlines, forwarders, customs, and ground partners will be key to improving turnaround times and reliability.
DCSC also aims to support a broader logistics ecosystem through value-added services, on-airport warehousing, and road feeder linkage, while maintaining a competitive cost model. The goal is to position the cargo terminal as a logistics hub for North India and the South Asian region.
How will you face competition from new cargo terminals or regional airports in North India?
IGIA offers 12 freighter bays, a 150-acre cargo complex with two integrated terminals, and 67 carriers, including 30 freighters. DCSC delivers faster turnaround and advanced services through digitalisation, truck slot management, express handling, and transshipment capabilities, providing operational advantages that smaller facilities cannot match. Its hinterland reach, and bonded road-feeder services across 2,700 km, and focus on high-growth segments, such as pharma, perishables, cold chain, live animals, and high-value cargo strengthen its competitive edge. With scalable capacity, multilevel logistics centres, airline collabs, and cost-competitive operations, DCSC reinforces its hub status, backed by years of experience and credibility of being India’s largest air cargo terminal operator.
What is the DCSC’s current handling capacity (tonnage per annum), and
how much of it is presently utilised?
Though full annual figures of DCSC for FY 2025 have not been disclosed, the Delhi airport cargo infra has a capacity of 0.5 million MT per annum, scalable to 0.8 million MT. We still have sufficient room for growth.
Any expansion or modernisation projects to enhance capacity or efficiency on the anvil?
With the Indian economy on a strong growth path, DCSC expects sustained cargo demand and is expanding into its vacant air side land to boost throughput. Operations will be made increasingly mechanised, complemented by digital initiatives enabling faceless user interactions to enhance 24×7 service experience. Aligning with IGIA’s Cargo City development — new logistics centres, additional freighter bays, a fourth runway, and transshipment facilities — DCSC is upgrading its infrastructure to provide more cargo capacity and efficiency for freight forwarders, airlines, and shippers.
How is cold chain infra being strengthened to support pharma and perishables?
DCSC has modern and high-capacity temperature-controlled cargo handling facility capable of handling pharma, meat, horticulture produce, and temperature-controlled perishables. DCSC offers three temperature zones — 15 to 25°C, 2 to 8°C, and sub-zero temperature zones for handling various temperature sensitive products. The service center emphasises quick turnaround of perishables. DCSC is strengthening cold chain infra by providing dedicated temperature-controlled storage (coolers/freezers), streamlining processes for perishables/pharma, and working with stakeholders — airlines, forwarders, ICS Customs — to ensure minimal dwell time for temperature-sensitive cargo.
How does DCSC work with airlines, forwarders, and Customs for ensuring seamless cargo flow?
DCSC has modernised its operations through digital integration, moving from manual documentation for full electronic processes such as e-AWB, e-CSD, e-Gate Pass, and 24×7 export/import operations.
Leveraging IGIA’s unified cargo community system (ACMES), DCSC ensures seamless message exchange, truck slot management, and real-time visibility, streamlining interactions among all stakeholders. Coordination with Customs, airlines, and forwarders is institutionalised, while partnerships enable integrated workflows, efficient use of infrastructure, and reliable service-level commitments, including faster turnaround times.
What are the lessons learnt from managing cargo during crises or global disruptions?
Lessons from the recent experiences highlight the need for flexibility, resilience, and digital readiness in air cargo operations. Rapid adaptation is critical when passenger flights, which carry belly-hold cargo, are disrupted thus making dedicated freighters and segmented capacity essential. Digitalisation and process simplification, such as e-AWB, integrated customs messaging, and 24×7 operations, help avoid bottlenecks.
Cold chain and essential air cargo need robust infrastructure and prioritised handling, while supply chain visibility and coordination among airlines, ground handlers, Customs, and trucking are important. Diversified cargo flows and agile infra ensure preparedness for fluctuations, scalable warehousing, and trained personnel support rapid ramp-up or scale-down. These lessons underpin DCSC’s plan of investing in infrastructure, digitalisation, and stakeholder integration to maintain seamless cargo operations.
