India’s expanding logistics infrastructure, govt initiatives such as PMGS and NLP, investments in cargo facilities are boosting its position as a key player in the global supply chain. The country’s expanding FTAs, India-UAE CEPA, India-Europe and India-US trade dialogues—add fuel to volumes.
CT Bureau
India plays a pivotal role in global air freight, acting as a vital bridge between Asia and major markets across Europe, North America, the Middle East and other emerging economies. Its geographic location makes it an ideal transit and distribution point, especially as international trade routes shift to accommodate growing demand in South and Southeast Asia. India’s robust and rapidly expanding manufacturing sector, including pharma, electronics, textiles, and automotive components, generate vital export volumes relying on air freight for speed and reliability.
Major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have developed into key cargo hubs, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, cold chain facilities, and direct linkage to global destinations. Initiatives such as NLP and PMGS aim to modernise the logistics ecosystem and reduce TAT, enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global air cargo market. Increasing domestic demand supports a healthy volume of imports, positioning the country as a balanced logistics partner for the functioning of the airlines. Carriers such as FedEx and Air India link Indian cities directly to global destinations, reducing transit times and integrating India deeply into supply chains. Air India’s upcoming route enhancements—from Delhi and Mumbai to cities such as Bangkok, Frankfurt, and Singapore—underscore India’s relevance as a transit hub for intercontinental cargo.
India’s expanding free trade agreements (FTAs) and trade corridors—the India-UAE CEPA and the India-Europe and India-US trade dialogues—are fuelling air cargo volumes. With increasing investments in air cargo capacity and digital logistics solutions, India is supporting its own economic growth and playing a central role in shaping the future of international trade and supply chain resilience.
CARGOTALK speaks to industry experts about the country’s growing trade connections and its position globally amidst ongoing trade wars, tariffs and geopolitical tensions.
A transhipment point for time-sensitive cargo
Arun Chandra, Vice President, Aviation Business, BIAL
India plays a strategic role in air freight by serving as a link between Asia and key markets in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. Backed by a growing manufacturing base, booming e-commerce exports, and geographic location, India is emerging as major origin, and a transshipment point for time-sensitive cargo. This transformation is visible at BLR Airport, which serves as a southern gateway for global cargo. With linkage to freight hubs and strong ties with global carriers, BLR Airport has positioned itself as a hub linking Asian production centres with Western markets.”
Expanding industrial base drives outbound air cargo
Amit Tandon, CEO & Managing Director Asia Shipping India
Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi, have grown into major gateways. These facilities are equipped with advanced infra and offer extensive global linkage, allowing for direct shipments and transhipment options streamlining global trade routes. India’s expanding industrial base, including pharma, textiles, electronics, and e-commerce, drives outbound air cargo. Rising domestic demand supports a healthy volume of imports, positioning India as a balanced logistics partner for the airlines’ functioning.”
Digital reforms cut air cargo dwell times
Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics
With annual cargo volumes surpassing 3.7 million tonnes, the country’s air cargo traffic surged 19 per cent year-on-year last year, outpacing the international average. This growth is driven by expanding exports, rising e-commerce, and a policy push. India’s advantage is being maximised through expanded trade lanes, direct global connectivity, and growing transshipment activity. Private investments and digital reforms, including the Air Cargo Community System, have not only improved efficiency but also reduced aier cargo dwell times.”
E-commerce to exceed US$ 30 million by 2030
Balagopal Balachandran, National Head, Air Freight, FEI Cargo
Driven by the Make in India initiative gaining traction, India has boosted its exports in sectors such as electronics, pharma, textiles, automotive and perishables. These commodities rely on time-sensitive air freight, increasing India’s outbound capacity demand. India’s e-commerce sector is projected to contribute to export volumes, with expectations to surpass US$ 200 billion by 2030. This growth is bolstered by initiatives such as Open Network for Digital Commerce, reinforcing India’s position as a key player in global supply chains.”
75% of cargo flown by four major airports
Afzal Malbarwala, Managing Director, Galaxy Freight
India’s geographic location connects major global trade routes. Indian air freight is seeing an uphill trajectory, all because of factors including the rise of high-value manufacturing, trade ties with North America and Europe, and investments in airport infra and handling. As per January 2025, Indian airports handled 184,273 tonnes of freight—a 7.1 per cent rise over January 2024’s 171,988 tonnes, AAI report stated. Access has grown—a rise in the number of PPP airports from five in 2014 to 24 in 2024. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai airports fly 75 per cent of all cargo movement.”
India’s rising network enables faster delivery
Deepak Kumar, National Air Logistics Manager, Kuehne+Nagel India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives
India has solidified its position as a critical link in the global air freight network, connecting Asia with Europe, North America, the ME. Its location, coupled with a growing network of global airports, has enabled faster cargo flow. Pharma, electronics, textiles, and e-commerce rely on India’s air freight to maintain supply chain continuity. The increase in Asia-North America trade lanes highlights India’s prominence, especially with carriers investing in freighters. E-commerce relies on air freight to meet delivery expectations.”
India major link in global supply chains
Nikhil Agarwal, President, CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd.
India plays a vital role in global air freight, acting as a transit point linking Asia with Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other markets. India is becoming a major link in global supply chains, in pharma, electronics, and perishables, increasing manufacturing and export capabilities. Under the RCS UDAN scheme, 23 projects worth `6,611.18 crore were inaugurated and seven airport expansion projects. To develop tier II and III cities as emerging air cargo hubs, India
is focusing on expanding its regional airport infrastructure.”
Focus on ramping up logistics infrastructure
Rajen Bhatia, Managing Director, Tulsidas Khimji
India is investing in infrastructure to support the growing demand for air freight, with a particular focus on improving airport facilities and cargo handling capabilities. India recognises that efficient and modern logistics infrastructure is critical to sustaining its position as a key player in global air cargo. India’s investments in cargo infrastructure are designed to meet the demand for air cargo services. These improvements will streamline cargo handling and reduce transit times and strengthen India’s position as a key player in the air freight industry.”
India emerging as key ‘connector’ not corridor
Reshma Zaheer, CEO, TT Logistics and Cargo
India is steadily emerging as a pivotal player in global air freight, thanks to its geographic advantage in linking Asia with Europe, North America, and the Middle East. What’s exciting is we are not part of the corridor—we’re becoming a key connector. With the fastest projected air freight growth globally through 2030 at 10.3% CAGR, this momentum is being fuelled by manufacturing shifts, and trade pacts. What’s clear is global supply chains are evolving and India is well-positioned to be a trusted and capable partner in that shift.”
Challenges persist in last-mile logistics
Zeeshan Mukhi, Vice President, Freight Forwarding, Subcontinent DP World
India is emerging as a global air freight hub linking Asia with Europe, North America and the Middle East. The sector is growing at 10 per cent annually, with handling capacity reaching 8 million MT in FY24. Investments are being channelled into specialised warehousing for high-growth segments such as e-commerce, perishable products and pharma, creating new opportunities for Indian exporters and strengthening domestic supply chains. While the growth prospects are strong, challenges still persist in multimodal connectivity and the last-mile connectivity.”
Making efforts to reduce logistics costs
Malcolm D’souza, Director, Air Freight and Member, Management Board, Jeena & Co.
India holds an advantageous geographical position, serving as a vital transit and redistribution point on global air freight routes. India plays a pivotal role in linking Asia with Europe, North America, the Middle East, and emerging markets such as South Africa. Major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru are evolving into key logistics hubs, facilitating East-West trade corridors, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor. India’s contribution to value chain is bolstered by its efforts to cut logistics costs through infra development.”
Congestion, dwell times hit service predictability
Huned Gandhi, MD, Air & Sea Logistics Indian Subcontinent DACHSER
Projects such as Jewar International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport are likely to relieve pressure from existing hubs. These developments are critical to meet demand and build supply chain resilience. Improvements in customs clearance processes, temp-controlled storage and cargo automation streamline ops. Limited slot availability, congestion, and high dwell times can impact service predictability. Infra is under pressure, with traffic bottlenecks and truck TAT delays during peak time.”
Supply chains break down due to delay
Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India
India is investing in air cargo infra to satisfy growing domestic and global demand. Through the National Infrastructure Pipeline, over US$ 18 billion has been allocated for airport expansion and cargo modernisation. Delhi and Mumbai airports are improving their cargo terminals. Bengaluru recently unveiled India’s largest Greenfield DCT. Use of digitalisation initiatives, such as real-time tracking systems and automated cargo handling, is increasing productivity. The government is modernising 150 regional airports.”
