<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">India's
air cargo industry has officially entered a new era of dominance, recording a
historic high of 3.72 million metric tonnes (MMT) during the 2024-25 fiscal
year. This milestone represents a staggering 47% growth over the past decade,
signaling the nation's successful transition into a formidable global logistics
powerhouse. The rapid scaling from 2.53 MMT in the 2014-15 period to the
current figures underscores the impact of aggressive infrastructure expansion
and calculated policy shifts designed to integrate India more deeply into the
international trade ecosystem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
momentum showing in the current 2025-26 fiscal year suggests this
record-breaking trend is far from peaking. As of December 2025, the sector has
already processed 2.98 MMT, positioning the country to surpass its previous
benchmarks by the end of the term. This consistent growth is supported by a
massive operational footprint, with cargo services now active across 74
airports nationwide. Key to this expansion are the mega-projects currently
underway, such as the development of expansive new facilities at the upcoming
Jewar (Noida) and Navi Mumbai international airports, which are set to become
primary gateways for global freight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Beyond
these major hubs, a concerted effort to modernize regional infrastructure is
being led by the AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company (AAICLAS).
Terminals at six strategic locations—including Srinagar, Dehradun, Dibrugarh,
Dimapur, Vijayawada, and Jodhpur—are undergoing extensive upgrades to enhance
their technical capabilities. Simultaneously, the Airports Authority of India
(AAI) and the central government are aggressively augmenting warehousing
capacity to ensure that the physical infrastructure can keep pace with the
surging demand for speed and storage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To ensure
this growth is inclusive of smaller cities, the government has introduced a
crucial financial intervention aimed at Tier-II and Tier-III airports for the
2024-25 to 2026-27 period. By agreeing to reimburse the costs of deploying
customs personnel at 27 airports, including 15 dedicated cargo terminals, the
state is removing one of the most significant financial hurdles for regional
operations. This move is specifically designed to make regional hubs globally
competitive by lowering the barrier to entry for international trade. Through
this blend of modern facilities and supportive fiscal policy, India’s air cargo
sector has evolved into a decentralized, highly efficient network that is no
longer just emerging, but actively leading the regional logistics landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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