India has significantly accelerated domestic-to-international air cargo transshipment by removing mandatory repeat screening at transit airports, cutting average end-to-end transit time from around 60–70 hours to approximately 20 hours.
The reform was highlighted as the government expanded its Domestic-to-International (D2I) transshipment cargo framework at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s position as a global air cargo transshipment hub and improving the competitiveness of Indian exports.
The earlier system required transshipment cargo to undergo repeated screening and handling at connecting airports, adding significant delays and increasing logistics costs. Under the revised framework, cargo that has already been screened at its origin can move through the transit airport without undergoing the complete screening process again.
The reform was first tested on the Chennai–Delhi–Frankfurt route, with the proof-of-concept operation beginning in June 2026. Since its launch, the route has transshipped around 280 tonnes of cargo, while aircraft capacity utilisation increased from about 75% to nearly 100%.
Following the success of the pilot, the government has expanded the network to include Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad as additional domestic origin stations. London and Copenhagen have also been added to the international network, alongside Frankfurt.
The expanded network is expected to substantially increase cargo volumes on the covered routes. Air India’s monthly cargo carriage on these lanes is projected to rise from around 1,763 tonnes to 3,183 tonnes, representing an increase of nearly 80%.
The faster process is particularly important for time-sensitive exports, including seafood, pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics and other high-value products. Shorter transit times can improve product quality, reduce inventory and handling costs and make Indian exports more competitive in overseas markets.
The initiative also provides Indian exporters with greater access to international destinations without requiring cargo to be routed through foreign hubs. By enabling domestic cargo to be consolidated and transferred efficiently at Indian airports, the government hopes to retain more transshipment business within the country.
The move forms part of India’s broader strategy to develop its aviation and logistics infrastructure and position the country as a major cargo gateway between Asia, Europe and other global markets. Faster transshipment, combined with expanding airport infrastructure and improving multimodal connectivity, is expected to support India’s growing trade and manufacturing ecosystem.
For the air-cargo industry, the reduction in transit time represents a significant operational improvement. The government expects the simplified procedures to reduce handling, congestion and turnaround times, while increasing the utilisation of India’s international and domestic air cargo network.
With the D2I framework now covering more airports and international destinations, India is seeking to turn faster transshipment into a competitive advantage and establish itself as a more efficient regional hub for international air cargo.