In a bid to ramp up security at Indian airports and flights due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, the Indian government, through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), has implemented stringent security measures for cargo operations at airports nationwide, effective immediately as of May 8, 2025. These measures include thorough checks on cargo being accepted and verification of the credentials of individuals and companies booking cargo shipments.
Let’s explore how these new protocols could affect cargo movement across Indian airports, based on the latest available information.
Details of the New Security Measures
The BCAS has mandated enhanced scrutiny for cargo operations, requiring:
- Thorough Cargo Screening: All cargo must undergo rigorous inspection to ensure no prohibited or hazardous items are transported.
- Credential Verification: The credentials of individuals and companies booking cargo are subject to detailed checks to confirm legitimacy and prevent unauthorised shipments.
- Increased Surveillance: Airports are to ensure all CCTV cameras are operational, and additional security personnel are deployed at cargo and general aviation terminals.
- Monitoring of Non-Scheduled Flights: Strict oversight of non-scheduled operations, including air ambulances, to prevent security breaches.
These measures are part of a broader escalation of aviation security to the highest level, prompted by heightened tensions and specific threats, such as the reported foiling of an attack on Jammu airport.
Potential Impacts on Cargo Movement
The implementation of these security protocols is likely to have significant implications for cargo movement at airports across India. Below are the key areas of impact:
1. Operational Delays
The requirement for thorough cargo screening and credential verification will likely increase processing times at cargo terminals. Each shipment must be meticulously inspected, and the verification of booking entities could introduce additional bureaucratic steps. This may lead to:
- Extended Turnaround Times: Cargo handling, from acceptance to loading, could face delays, particularly at high-volume airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
- Backlogs During Peak Periods: Airports with heavy cargo traffic may experience bottlenecks, especially during periods of high e-commerce demand.
2. Increased Costs for Stakeholders
The enhanced security measures may raise operational costs for airlines, freight forwarders, and shippers:
- Higher Compliance Costs: Companies will need to invest in staff training and possibly new systems to meet stringent documentation and verification requirements.
- Potential Rate Hikes: Airlines and logistics providers may pass on increased costs to customers, leading to higher freight rates. This could affect industries reliant on air cargo, such as pharmaceuticals and electronics.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to meet the new standards could result in shipment rejections or fines, further impacting smaller businesses with limited resources.
3. Supply Chain Disruptions
The air cargo industry, which accounts for a significant portion of India’s high-value and time-sensitive goods (e.g., perishables, medical supplies), may face disruptions:
- Delayed Deliveries: Slower processing could delay the delivery of time-critical goods, affecting industries like healthcare and e-commerce.
- Reduced Capacity Utilisation: If processing times increase, airports may handle fewer shipments daily, leading to underutilised cargo capacity on flights. This could exacerbate existing capacity constraints during peak periods.
- Impact on Global Trade: India’s role in global supply chains could be affected if delays deter international partners, particularly for just-intime manufacturing or perishable exports.
4. Enhanced Security but Potential Trust Issues
While the measures aim to bolster security, they may create challenges for stakeholders:
- Improved Safety: Thorough checks reduce the risk of smuggling, terrorism, or hazardous material transport, fostering confidence among freight forwarders and international partners.
- Trust and Transparency Concerns: Overly stringent verification processes could strain relationships with smaller shippers or new entrants who may struggle to meet documentation standards, potentially reducing market access for some businesses.
5. Technological and Staffing Demands
To implement these measures effectively, airports and cargo operators will need to:
- Adopt Advanced Technologies: Investments in digital platforms, such as those used for real-time tracking and verification, could help streamline processes but require significant upfront costs.
- Increase Staffing: Additional personnel will be needed for inspections and verification, which could strain resources, especially at smaller airports. Comprehensive training in threat identification and behavioural analysis will also be critical.
- Paperless Processes: The push for paperless cargo handling, as seen in systems like EPG’s mobile apps at German airports, could mitigate delays but requires infrastructure upgrades that may not be uniformly available across India’s airports.
6. Regional Variations
The impact may vary across India’s airports:
- Major Hubs: Airports like Delhi and Mumbai, which handle significant cargo volumes (e.g., Delhi handled over 1 million tonnes in 2024), may face more pronounced delays due to high traffic.
- Smaller Airports: Facilities with limited infrastructure may struggle to implement the new protocols, potentially diverting cargo to larger hubs and increasing regional disparities in logistics efficiency.
- General Aviation Terminals: Enhanced monitoring of non-scheduled operations could limit the flexibility of air ambulances or charter services, affecting emergency medical supply chains.
Broader Implications
The heightened security measures reflect India’s proactive stance against emerging threats, particularly in light of regional tensions. However, they also highlight the delicate balance between security and operational efficiency in air cargo logistics:
- Economic Impact: Delays and cost increases could affect India’s competitiveness in global trade, particularly for high-value exports like pharmaceuticals, which rely on air transport.
- Policy Considerations: The government may need to invest in airport infrastructure and provide clear guidelines to ensure uniform implementation, preventing smaller airports from becoming bottlenecks.
- International Alignment: India’s measures align with global trends, such as the U.S. Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) program and the EU’s ICS2, suggesting potential for harmonised standards that could ease cross-border cargo movement in the long term.
The BCAS’s enhanced cargo security measures, effective May 8, 2025, are a critical response to heightened security threats but pose challenges for cargo movement across Indian airports. While aimed at ensuring safety, the protocols may lead to delays, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions, particularly at major hubs. Stakeholders can mitigate these impacts through digitalisation, staff training, and close collaboration with regulators. As India navigates this new security landscape, balancing efficiency with safety will be key to maintaining its position in global air cargo logistics. For the latest updates, stakeholders
should monitor announcements from the BCAS and consult with freight forwarders or airlines for specific operational guidance.
