Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has expanded India’s domestic-to-international air cargo transshipment network, adding London and Copenhagen as new international destinations and connecting them with cargo originating from four additional Indian cities.
The expanded network, launched as part of the scaled-up transshipment cargo framework, now links Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad with London and Copenhagen through Delhi Airport’s Transshipment Excellence Centre (TEC) at Terminal 2. The expansion follows the successful completion of a proof-of-concept operation on the Chennai–Delhi–Frankfurt route.
The proof-of-concept began on June 20, 2026, with Air India operating the service end-to-end. During the trial, around 280 tonnes of cargo were transshipped through Delhi, while aircraft capacity utilisation increased from approximately 75% to nearly 100%.
A key feature of the reform is the removal of mandatory re-screening for eligible transshipment cargo at the transit airport. The measure is designed to reduce handling delays, congestion and operating costs while speeding up the movement of cargo between domestic and international flights.
The new network is expected to significantly increase Air India’s cargo volumes on the covered routes. Monthly cargo carriage is projected to rise from around 1,763 tonnes to 3,183 tonnes, representing an increase of nearly 80%.
The initiative is particularly important for Indian exporters handling time-sensitive and high-value commodities, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, seafood, electronics and engineering products. Faster transshipment can help reduce cargo dwell time and improve the reliability of international supply chains.
Delhi Airport’s TEC is being positioned as a central hub for consolidating domestic cargo before it moves onward to international destinations. The model is intended to allow exporters from multiple Indian cities to access global markets through an Indian hub rather than relying on overseas transshipment centres.
The government has identified the development of domestic air cargo hubs as an important part of its broader logistics strategy. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the reform is aimed at reducing turnaround time, handling costs and congestion at cargo terminals while strengthening India’s position as a global transshipment hub.
The addition of London and Copenhagen also strengthens Delhi’s links with major European cargo markets. Copenhagen Airport describes itself as a major air cargo gateway for Northern Europe, supported by connections to markets across the region.
For India’s air cargo sector, the expansion represents a significant step toward creating a more integrated domestic-to-international cargo network. With additional origin cities and international destinations expected to be added over time, Delhi Airport is seeking to establish itself as a key transshipment gateway connecting Indian exporters with global markets.