Airline major IndiGo’s cargo arm, IndiGo CarGo, is ramping up its presence in the global logistics market by focusing on high-value, time-sensitive consignments on the recently launched long-haul flight operations to Europe, a senior company executive said.
IndiGo CarGo’s Chief Commercial Officer Mark Sutch said the airline see strong demand in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, express parcels, fashion and textiles, and automotive parts.
“Cargo operations on long-haul routes deal with a whole new mix of consignments, where demand is driven by goods that are high in value, time-sensitive, or not feasible to ship by sea due to their urgency or limited shelf life,” he said.
According to Sutch, the launch of long-haul operations marks a “significant milestone” for the airline, backed by the induction of Boeing 787-9 aircraft and expansion into European destinations, including Manchester and Amsterdam.
Last month, IndiGo launched direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam, and plans to operate to new destinations such as London and Copenhagen this winter.
Besides, the airline is preparing for expansions with its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
“With long-haul capabilities, we are now able to target skidded and palletised cargo, further enhancing our operational flexibility and appeal to global shippers.”
new opportunities
These additions, he noted, not only extend the airline’s reach, but also enable specialised logistics services and create new opportunities for Indian businesses to connect with global markets.
“IndiGo CarGo is on an upward trajectory, as we look forward to commencing operations across several international routes, in sync with the airline’s ambitious expansion strategy,” said Sutch.
Furthermore, the airline’s growth push is further supported by cargo interline agreements with major logistics players such as Air France-KLM and FedEx, along with a recent partnership with Lufthansa Cargo to carry US-bound freight via a transpacific route linking Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City and Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, he cited that the planned induction of Airbus A350 aircraft in 2027 is expected to further expand capacity and efficiency.
“Our outlook is strong and forward-looking, driven by consistent volume growth, strategic partnerships, and ongoing investments in digital transformation and infrastructure.”
IndiGo CarGo had commenced operations in November 2022 with its first A321 freighter flight between Delhi and Mumbai.
Hybrid cargo model
The airline uses a hybrid cargo model, combining the belly capacity of its passenger aircraft with dedicated freighters.
In FY25, IndiGo completed over 2,500 cargo flights, transporting more than 4 lakh tonnes of cargo, outgrew domestic market growth and increased volumes by 10 per cent on a year-on-year basis (in FY25 from FY24).
The international tonnage was up by 36 per cent for the same period.