‘Approx 30% cargo moves via freighters, rest travels in pax bellies, highlighting need for dedicated freighters’

Balagopal Balachandra, National Head – Air Freight, FEI Cargo said, “India is at the crossroads of global trade; will we emerge as a global transhipment powerhouse. The opportunity is ours—but are we bold enough to seize it? The strategic significance of transshipment – the process of transferring cargo from one vessel or airline to another at an intermediate port/ airport, plays a critical role in global trade. Countries that establish themselves as transshipment hubs benefit from increased trade volumes, enhanced revenues and strengthened economic linkages. For India, the potential to become a transhipment hub is particularly appealing given its geographical proximity to major global shipping lanes and its growing status as a major economic powerhouse. Cargo volumes are growing 7– 9 per cent CAGR, targeting 10 MTPA by 2030. Approximately 30 per cent of cargo moves via freighters and rest travels in passenger aircraft holds, highlighting the need for more dedicated freighter capacity. The current over-reliance on passenger belly space is outdated for a $5 trillion economy in the making. For India to realize its ambition of becoming a transhipment hub it requires more than new terminals, a multi-pronged, coordinated  strategy is essential – this includes addressing cost and efficiency issues, improving hinterland / Inter-airport connectivity, fostering public-private partnerships to attract investments, unified cargo community systems (CCS), multimodal integration required for seamless cargo transfers, infrastructure remains concentrated at major airports (delays at Tier‑II/III hubs), last‑mile connectivity issues, regulatory bottlenecks in customs, and need for expanded road–rail corridors. Leveraging India’s domestic market potential could further enhance its position as a key player in the global logistics landscape.

India does not lack ambition—it lacks alignment.  The vision is clear but now is the time to act with speed, scale, and execution . With the right reforms and urgency, we could stop being just a pitstop and finally become the preferred global cargo gateway.