India’s air cargo sector handled a record 3.72 million metric tonnes (MMT) of freight in 2024-25, registering a 47% increase over the past decade and underlining the sector’s expanding role in the country’s logistics and global trade ecosystem.
Cargo volumes increased from 2.53 MMT in 2014-15 to 3.72 MMT in FY25, reflecting sustained growth driven by rising international trade, e-commerce activity and investments in aviation logistics infrastructure.
The momentum has continued into the current financial year, with 2.98 MMT of cargo already handled by December 2025, indicating that the sector is on track to surpass last year’s record.
At present, cargo operations are being carried out at 74 airports across the country. To support rising demand, the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are expanding warehousing capacity and upgrading cargo infrastructure nationwide.
New cargo facilities are being developed at the upcoming international airports in Jewar (Noida) and Navi Mumbai, both expected to emerge as major logistics hubs.
In parallel, AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company (AAICLAS) is modernising cargo terminals at six strategic locations — Srinagar and Dehradun in North India; Dibrugarh and Dimapur in the East and Northeast; Vijayawada in South India; and Jodhpur in Western India.
A key challenge for Tier-II and Tier-III airports has been the high operational cost associated with customs staffing. To improve viability, the government has introduced a financial reimbursement scheme covering the deployment of customs personnel at 27 airports, including 15 dedicated cargo terminals, for the period from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
The initiative is expected to strengthen regional air cargo connectivity, improve competitiveness of smaller airports and promote a more decentralised logistics network across the country.
Industry observers believe that continued infrastructure expansion, policy support and increasing regional integration will sustain long-term growth in India’s air cargo sector.
