India’s air cargo sector continued to demonstrate resilience in FY 2025–26, recording steady growth despite ongoing disruptions across key West Asia trade corridors. Among the country’s major cargo gateways, Chennai Airport emerged as the fastest-growing hub, reflecting strong demand from exporters and manufacturers in southern India.
The growth comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and logistical disruptions in West Asia have affected air and sea freight operations, leading to higher transportation costs and route adjustments for carriers. Despite these challenges, India’s air cargo industry maintained positive momentum, supported by robust exports of electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, perishables, and e-commerce shipments.
Chennai Airport registered the strongest increase in cargo throughput among major Indian airports, benefiting from its strategic location and strong industrial hinterland. The airport serves key manufacturing clusters across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states, handling significant volumes of electronics, automotive components, textiles, and healthcare products destined for global markets.
Industry observers noted that exporters increasingly relied on air freight to maintain supply chain reliability amid uncertainty affecting traditional trade routes. The shift helped sustain cargo volumes at major airports even as airlines adjusted schedules and capacity on routes linked to West Asia.
Other major cargo gateways, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, also reported healthy freight volumes during the year, supported by continued growth in international trade and expanding demand for time-sensitive shipments.
The resilience of India’s air cargo market has been further strengthened by investments in cargo infrastructure, digitalization, and specialized handling facilities. Airports and logistics operators have expanded cold-chain capabilities and streamlined cargo processing to support sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and high-value electronics.
Industry stakeholders believe India’s growing role in global supply chains, coupled with increasing manufacturing activity and export diversification, will continue to drive air cargo demand in the coming years. While geopolitical risks remain a concern, the sector’s ability to adapt to changing trade conditions has helped sustain growth and reinforce India’s position as a key air freight market in the region.
With Chennai leading the expansion among major airports, the country’s air cargo industry is expected to remain on a growth trajectory as exporters seek faster and more reliable logistics solutions in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
