GMR Aero Cargo & Logistics on Tuesday announced the launch of India’s first-of-its-kind airside refrigerated (reefer) truck at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, marking a major advancement in temperature-controlled air cargo handling in the country.
Designed to preserve cold-chain integrity during airside movement, the specialised reefer truck enables temperature-sensitive cargo to be transported directly between the cargo terminal and aircraft without exposure to ambient conditions on the ramp—addressing a long-standing challenge in the handling of perishables, pharmaceuticals and biological shipments.
The truck maintains a controlled temperature range of +2°C to +25°C, allowing it to handle a broad range of commodities including pharmaceuticals, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, seafood, dairy products, meat and other perishable goods. Built on a Tata chassis with a 10-tonne payload capacity, the vehicle features a 22 ft × 9 ft × 6.6 ft insulated cargo box with advanced PUF insulation and can accommodate two lower-deck ULDs, significantly improving loading efficiency and reducing multiple airside trips.
Speaking at the launch, Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), said the initiative reinforces Hyderabad’s position as a leading global cargo hub. “By ensuring unbroken cold-chain integrity from terminal to aircraft, we are setting new benchmarks in perishable and pharmaceutical logistics and strengthening India’s role as a global pharma manufacturing and export hub,” he said.
Sanjiv Edward, CEO of GMR Aero Cargo & Logistics, added that the deployment reflects the company’s focus on customised, high-quality solutions for customers across its airport network. “This is a pioneering effort in Hyderabad, and delivering superior, customer-centric cargo solutions remains our priority,” he said.
The airside reefer truck is equipped with a range of advanced safety and handling features, including a manual ball deck with guide rollers, dual-height safety bollards, cargo securing systems, anti-slip flooring and thermal strip curtains to minimise temperature loss during door operations. Additional features include fresh-air ventilation, real-time digital temperature and humidity monitoring, backup power for uninterrupted refrigeration and integrated fire safety systems.
Enhanced airside visibility and safety are ensured through rotating beacon lights, buzzers with flashing alerts, LED interior lighting and radium stickering on all sides of the vehicle.
With India’s agricultural exports and pharmaceutical shipments on the rise, and Hyderabad emerging as a key manufacturing and export hub in South India, the new airside refrigerated capability is expected to offer a strong competitive advantage to exporters, importers and logistics providers. The development positions Hyderabad Airport among a select group of global airports equipped with dedicated airside refrigerated transport, strengthening its appeal as a preferred gateway for high-value, temperature-sensitive cargo.
