Sanjiv Edward, CEO – Cargo and Logistics, GMR Airports said, “The vision of creating the Cargo City at Delhi International Airport emanates from a larger vision of making Delhi a global Airport hub, with the passenger and cargo segments complementing each other. This thought is also aligned with the overarching vision of the Government of India to create several Airport Hubs in the country. When we talk of creating a Cargo Hub, it needs supporting infrastructure of Tier 1 i.e. Cargo Terminals and Tier 2 i.e. 3PL players with a possible extension to Tier 3 which would be Special Economic Zones. Delhi Airport has already taken steps to build Tier 1 capacity from 0.3 MMT to 1.8 MMT Per Annum and Tier 2 capacity from zero to 0.5 Mn sq. ft. and now we are working towards developing an additional combined capacity of over 1.5 Mn sq. ft. over Tier 2 and proposed Tier 3 facilities. This integrated tier 1, 2 and 3 will then provide a comprehensive infrastructure solution for the cargo arriving at Delhi Airport and will help Delhi establish itself as a global aviation hub. With this thought we are building the Cargo City.  

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released global air cargo markets data for September 2025, showing total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), rose by 2.9 per cent compared to September 2024 levels (over 3.2 per cent for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 3.0 per cent compared to September 2024 (+4.4 per cent for international operations). “Air cargo demand grew 2.9 per cent year-on-year in September, marking the seventh consecutive month of overall growth. Buried in that growth is a significant alteration of trade patterns as US tariff policies, including the ending of de minimis exemptions, kick in. On one side of the equation, a decline in North America-Asia demand has set in over the last five months. But this has been more than compensated for with strong growth within Asia and on routes linking Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. While many had feared an unwinding of global trade, we are instead seeing air cargo adapting successfully to serve shifting market demands,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to fast-track the development of an airport, railway station, and multimodal logistics park in the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) area, signalling a major infrastructure boost for the region. He urged swift action to connect it with the Bundelkhand Expressway, Agra–Gwalior Greenfield Expressway, and the Delhi–Chennai railway line, said reports. The CM set tight deadlines for land acquisition, staffing, and project planning, stressing that speed, transparency, and investor confidence will be key to transforming Bundelkhand from backwardness to progress.

Ahead of the 49th ACAAI Convention, C K Govil, CMD of Activair Airfreight India and Immediate Past President of ACAAI, emphasises that despite unprecedented digital connectivity, trade constraints continue to rise due to a complex mix of geopolitical, economic, and regulatory factors. Nations are increasingly prioritising self-reliance, economic security, and supply chain sovereignty, often leading to protectionist measures such as tariffs, export controls, and localisation mandates. Geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, and conflicts further disrupt the free flow of goods and capital. At the same time, new challenges—like cybersecurity concerns, environmental regulations, and data sovereignty laws—add non-tariff barriers to trade. Digital connectivity has indeed accelerated information exchange and logistics efficiency, but it has also exposed vulnerabilities, prompting governments to tighten controls. In essence, while technology connects markets, policy and political considerations are redefining the terms of engagement. Balancing openness with security has become the defining dilemma of modern trade, making adaptability and collaboration the key to navigating this constrained yet connected global environment.”

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has been honoured with the Best Cargo Airport – Infrastructure award at the prestigious India Cargo Awards 2025. The recognition underscores DIAL’s commitment to building world-class cargo infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency to support India’s growing air freight sector. With continuous investments in capacity expansion, digital integration and sustainable facilities, Delhi Airport has emerged as a key hub connecting global trade lanes and strengthening India’s position as a leading logistics and cargo destination.  

Singapore Airlines Cargo (SIA Cargo) is strengthening its position as Southeast Asia’s leading air cargo hub through a strategic focus on digital booking, vertical specialisation and fuel-efficient fleet upgrades amid growing regional competition. The carrier is expanding its specialised products — THRUCOOL, now serving 23 destinations for pharmaceuticals, and THRUFRESH, covering 17 cities for perishables, while its Parxl e-commerce platform extends to over 30 destinations, leveraging generative AI to enhance customer service and onboarding. SIA Cargo is also advancing speed, visibility, and sustainability through digital integration with IATA ONE Record standards, its internal AI assistant JARVIS, SAF Book-and-Claim options, and a new fleet of A350F freighters that consume up to 40 per cent less fuel, reinforcing its competitive edge as regional hubs race to expand their cargo capabilities.    

Industry exepert, Arun Chandra, Vice President, Aviation Business, BIAL said, “The airport is closely aligned with India’s ambition to become a leading global air cargo hub and translating this vision at the airport level requires a combination of robust infrastructure, seamless operations and collaborative industry participation. Streamlined customs procedures, harmonised security protocols and supportive regulatory frameworks are critical to ensure fast, efficient, and transparent cargo movement. Incentives for infrastructure development, adoption of advanced cargo handling technologies, and investments in specialised facilities such as cold chain and pharma logistics will further enhance airport capabilities. Equally important is active collaboration between public and private stakeholders. Coordinated efforts among government bodies, industry associations, freight forwarders, airlines, and logistics providers can drive standardization, capacity optimisation, and innovation across the supply chain. With sustained policy support, regulatory clarity, and industry engagement, BIAL is well-positioned to become pivotal nodes in global trade networks, facilitating India’s rise as a competitive and reliable international cargo hub. By aligning with government initiatives like Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy, BIAL is creating an ecosystem that not only facilitates faster and more reliable trade but also strengthens India’s position in global supply chains—making BLR Airport the gateway of choice.”

INEXT Logistics and Supply Chain was recognised as the Fastest Growing Freight Forwarder of the Year at the prestigious India Cargo Awards held in New Delhi. This achievement reflects the company’s rapid growth, commitment to service excellence, and its strong role in driving innovation within India’s logistics and supply chain industry.

The India Warehousing and Logistics Show (IWLS), scheduled from 20–22 November, is set to bring together the country’s leading logistics, warehousing, material handling and supply chain professionals under one roof. As one of India’s premier industry platforms, the event will showcase the latest technologies, automation solutions, and infrastructure innovations driving efficiency and resilience in logistics. With participation from logistics providers, infrastructure developers, technology companies, and policymakers, IWLS 2025 aims to foster collaboration and highlight the critical role of integrated, technology-driven supply chains in supporting India’s growth ambitions. The show will also feature insightful conferences, networking sessions, and product demonstrations—offering attendees a comprehensive view of the sector’s emerging trends and opportunities.

Industry veteran, Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company says, “The air cargo industry demands a perfect balance between transformation, collaboration and sustainability to remain resilient in such a scenario. The focus should be on building flexible supply chains enabled by real-time data, predictive analytics and automation. Strategic collaboration and partnerships between airlines, freight forwarders and regulatory bodies are crucial to streamline processes and reduce bottlenecks. Continuous investment in skill development, greener operations and compliance readiness will also ensure that the industry adapts swiftly to evolving trade dynamics while maintaining service excellence. The government and logistics players must work closely to resolve the hindrances, which affect smooth and quick processes. To bring more transparency, digital infrastructure such as single-window clearance systems should be strengthened.  We believe that sustained dialogue between policymakers and industry stakeholders is pre-requisite to minimise trade friction and accelerate customs processes to further enhance India’s competitiveness in global logistics.”